Checklist for 6 month car storage

[darkhorse1210]

I'm considering taking the RS2 off the road for 6 months in Feb/March time and sorting a few little jobs outs that just never get done when the car is in use.

The question here is what measures would you take to ensure I don't encounter any nasty surprises when I put her back on the road again?

List started as follows:

1. Prevent tyre flat spots
- should I remove the wheels and stand the car on either a ramp or axle stands? They need a refurb ideally anyhow

2. How do I stop the calipers 'freezing up' from lack of use?
- need to ensure that the age old problem of that build up behind the piston doesn't happen

3. Is it likely that the Heater Matrix will block up? The car had this problem when I bought it resulting in no heat and that was a biatch to sort. If so is the solution just to turn the car over regularly tand crank the engine up/turn heater up?

4. Is it possible to prevent the discs rusting on the surface without the pads regularly 'cleaning' them when in use?

5+ ...other ideas welcomed

Cheers
Tom

[rxl]

my s2 stood for about 4 months and nothing happend

[SteveH]

I'd give the car to someone you trust that will drive it daily for you

[re2500]

I had my car off the road in dry storage for 3 years with no problems, but yes i did store the car on axle stands to prevent flat spots on the tyres. I made sure there was sufficient concentration of anti freeze and corrosion inhibitor on the coolant. And i changed the coolant and Oil before starting her up as there may have been condesation in in the oil.

[darkhorse1210]

I'd give the car to someone you trust that will drive it daily for you

Errrr, that kind of defeats the object of the car not being on the road to fix the jobs in my spare time doesn't it?

[darkhorse1210]

re2500.....useful, thanks

[bluequattro]

Pump the tyres up higher,50 psi say or use those tyre saver wedges that caravans use, I ve got some under white one
Fill tank with fuel or empty totally-stops condensation rusting tank, common problem on ur s I've been told
Handbrake off, out of gear, I have pushed clutch pedals down with a piece of wood before now to stop them sticking, but that may strain seals on clutch cylinder, so depends if you want change cylinders or free a clutch off!
Silica bags or dehumidifier inside so it doesn't get damp
Classic car forums /mags have more ideas, try them

[darkhorse1210]

bluequattro - good stuff, will do, thanks

[psiconauta911]

I had the car stored for 3 years too without any adverse efects except every electric didn´t work for the first 20 minutes, moved it 1/4 of a wheel turn every month to prevent flat spots and did a compreensive maintenance before puting it back on the road, Great cars the audi of old 18 years old 180000km and the first blown light bulb in the number plate lights, 6 months shouldn´t be a problem just fire it up every other month get it to temperature, the oil, and move it a bit every month and it should be ok!

[prj]

6 months shouldn´t be a problem just fire it up every other month get it to temperature

That is not a good idea idea, as you will get tons of condensation in the oil like this.

[psiconauta911]

I said to get it to temperature,"the oil" to get rid of condensation but i maybe wrong anyway in six months it shouldn´be a problem and the oil should be changed before getting it back to the road!

I thought that getting the oil hot is the first rule for it to last since short runs are the reason for it loosing it´s proprieties due to condensation that is evaporated by it getting hot, at least that is the information an oil engeneer transmited in talk about motor oils!

[prj]

I said to get it to temperature,"the oil" to get rid of condensation but i maybe wrong anyway in six months it shouldn´be a problem and the oil should be changed before getting it back to the road!

I thought that getting the oil hot is the first rule for it to last since short runs are the reason for it loosing it´s proprieties due to condensation that is evaporated by it getting hot, at least that is the information an oil engeneer transmited in talk about motor oils!

I would not start it at all and change the oil.
You are not doing the engine any favors by doing these cold starts.

You will do 6x less damage in those 6 months to the engine by just not starting it.

[psiconauta911]

Every morning you start a car it´s a cold start and the goal of starting the car every other month and getting it to temperature is to prevent de damadge to all the other componentes that get to work a bit instead of standing for 6 months, like the heater, brake pumps and so on, but that is just my opinion and I left my car stand for 3 years without starting it once so probably I´m not the best adviser here!

[macspring]

I'm considering taking the RS2 off the road for 6 months in Feb/March time and sorting a few little jobs outs that just never get done when the car is in use.

...other ideas welcomed

Cheers
Tom

Off the road for 6 months, ...where have I heard that before for loads of people on here, including me.

Looking forward to the thread / photos.

[Fat Audi 80]

Every morning you start a car it´s a cold start and the goal of starting the car every other month and getting it to temperature is to prevent de damadge to all the other componentes that get to work a bit instead of standing for 6 months, like the heater, brake pumps and so on, but that is just my opinion and I left my car stand for 3 years without starting it once so probably I´m not the best adviser here!

I have done this with my S2, it permenantly dry stored in a garage and off the road completely over the 6 months of winter. During the winter I usually run it fully up to temperature every couple of months and run it down the road and back. I have done this for the last 6 years with no problems. The oil is changed annually and that is all. My only concern is I may have flat spots on my tyres where it has stood, so I would recommend axle stands, tyres savers or high pressure.

These cars are so well built you don't need worry too much.

If it is being stored OUTSIDE that is a different thing and I would be less happy with the large fluctuations in temperature, humidity etc....

Cheers,

Steve