I'm toying with the idea of keeping my Z exclusively for the summer months, more from a financial aspect than worrying about wrecking the car when the ice/snow comes!

 

Does anyone know what the best option is for storing Z's off road for a prolonged period of time? Am I going to come across problems after 9 months of no driving – such as rust and corrosion?

 

I guess there are two options:

- Put it on axel stands, put material between brake pads/discs, handbrake off, battery out, cover. OR

- Keep it functional and turn it over/move it up and down the drive every week and have a friend with trade insurance take it out for a spin every now and then.

 

Thanks in advance!

Are you saying its going to be on your drive open to the elements of stored in a garage?, Im guessing outside, if so id keep it functional give it a good wash and a couple of coats of good quality wax, have the underside cleaned and undersealed while its still decent weather. I found the main problem if its not being used is mildew in the interior so I would get a few silica gel moisture packs or buy a couple of kilos of the pellets and make your own pouches .

I have never been a fan of covering my car probably because I've never had one of the more expensive breathable car covers so I've left it uncovered and kept it clean whenever possible.

I usually spray my injector, coil pack and water temp to ecu and guage connectors with WD40 just to keep the moisture off.

 

I'm sure others will have their preferred storage methods but the above works for me.

I

- Keep it functional and turn it over/move it up and down the drive every week and have a friend with trade insurance take it out for a spin every now and then.

 

If you're keeping it off the road for 6 months, don't bother starting it up and leaving it for short periods. The best thing you can do is leave it switched off otherwise you're introducing issues. Lots of cold starts when you're not really using it will not only introduce condensation into the engine, but also the connectors - not to mention the top end.

 

I usually store mine from November through until April and I just put it in the garage (which is where it lives anyway), handbrake off, take off the battery and throw a dust sheet over it. You can put it on axel stands, but for 6 months of dry-storing, it should be ok being left providing the tyres are pumped up and in good condition.

Edited August 17, 201511 yr by Funkysi

The car will probably be off the road for 8 months of the year I think, and it'll be outside on a drive unfortunately. Is undersealing necessary, sounds expensive! Are pipes likely to corrode and whatnot? Or am I worrying over nothing?? Thanks for the replies.

The car will probably be off the road for 8 months of the year I think, and it'll be outside on a drive unfortunately. Is undersealing necessary, sounds expensive! Are pipes likely to corrode and whatnot? Or am I worrying over nothing?? Thanks for the replies.

 

Under sealing isn't so expensive if you do it yourself, but it doesn't look like a pleasant job.

I've just got 3 tins of shultz and a gun for £19 all in.

I'll get round to it one day............

Is it just messy? I'm sure my mechanic will be thrilled!