Storing a vehicle for 2 years

idsman75

I thought about selling it but it's not worth much and runs like a champ. I'm talking about my 2001 Chevy Blazer (130,000 miles). 4 wheel drive is expensive to replace and I get more out of it driving it than what it would be worth selling it. My folks thought about getting a beater 4X4 just for driving out in the Minnesota winters so they can keep their 2011 Camry off the salt-infested streets. I offered it to them for a loaner for the 2 years I'm about to spend in Korea but they didn't bite for reasons unrelated to the vehicle.

I'd like to just use it as a hunting vehicle when I get back from Korea in a few years but am not sure what to do to it beyond stabilizing the fuel and pulling out the battery.

Any experts in long-term vehicle storage?

joshmb1982

Im not an expert in it but seems the best you could hope for is run some of that stabil or seafoam through it and maybe run it dry so the gas doesnt go bad. Will gaskets dry up and crack in 2 years? Also i think id put some new oil in it and let that get worked through the system before you store it. Also id be worried about mice and such getting into places they shouldnt be. maybe put some mothballs inside the cab of it and also somewhere in the engine compartment. My moms truck just from sitting a few weeks between trips to town a few years ago had a huge mouse nest in the electrical box. chewed most of the wires clean off.

evileye fleagal

i have heard a few things to do,
as in floodin the motor with oil, right down the intake.

i dont know bout that.

fill gas tank to slow rust, an drain an toss when prepin for the road.

is this inside or out storage?

i would sell an store the money.
if you had someone to drive it once a month,that might be better.

good smellin dryer sheets will keep the rats out.

11b6r

DO NOT DUMP OIL DOWN THE INTAKE. Get oil/ filter changed. Add seafoam to a FULL tank of gas, run to see that it gets through system. Park, jack, set on blocks to take weight off tires. Pull battery. dryer sheets or mothballs to keep critters away. Prior to parking, have washed, wax, cover. Back in the day, we might have run it dry- not good with today's fuel systems.

kimi

If you can find someone that you trust to drive it for you on occasion, put it in a garage, or coverded storage, and let them take care of it for you. When I bought my coach and a tow car from an old boy down in San Antonio, he let me store my 1999 GMC 4x4 p/u in the garage space that he rented for his other coach. I paid him seventy-five dollars a month for the covered storage, and he told me that he'd keep the battery charged and run it a few miles every now and then for me until I needed it. he was true to his word, and almost two years later, I picked my truck up, and my son drove it back to Washington state for me. A good truck like yours is worth keeping if you want to.

slumlord44

Fill the tank and add Stabil or Seafoam. Do not run it dry. Will destroy the fuel pump if it is in the gas tank. Put the car on jack stands to unload the springs and avoid flat spots on the tires. Change oil and filter before parking it. Try lots of mothballs to keep out mice. Electronic rodent gadgets are also worth a try. Put a heavy plastic tarp under it to keep moisture off the under side and cover the top with a good car cover or a cloth painting tarp that will breathe. Remove the battery and store in warm place with trickel charger. Also drain cooling system and fill with fresh long term antifreeze. Should be fine but you may still have some issues depending on where you store it and how lucky you are.

UNIVERSITY50

I would sell it, then put that money & the money I saved on storage each month in the bank. Should have a nice nest egg for another vehicle when you get back to the States.

coltpax

Sell it, when you get back buy you a beat up 4x4 pickup for the hunting truck. I never met anybody who'd throw a deer in the back of their blazer. [:D]

46270

they make a fog keep.
if you have some one that could start the car every week

GRIZZLY17

Bring it up to me. I'll keep it all good for you.

46270

quote:Originally posted by dennisnielsen
Stabil or sea foam in full tank


Lots of good additives on the market for the trans like Lucas.
Install and drive it around a little.


Marvel mystery oil down the intake until it is fogging for mosquitoes
then shut it down while still smokin

Jack stands and mothballs


This use to be current




Dennis has the right answer.

tneff1969

Drop her off down here on your way out Ids, I'll keep her warm and fed for you.

MMOMEQ-55

Bring her down here to me and I will only use her just to go to church on sundays.[:D]

LOL Listen to Dennis.

FEENIX

Ask your TMO for services like ...

http://www.adkos.com/services

Good luck and thanks for your service. God bless.

Ed

Mobuck

SELL IT!!! At the age you're talking about, there's untold problems that will show up if parked for that length of time. If you can't find someone who will run it once a week +/-, get rid of it and like one said, use the money to buy a running vehicle when you return.

rogue_rob

2 years?? Why are you going to Korea for 2 years? Did you get married or something? I thought it was a 1 year tour.

BTW, I wouldn't store it for 2 years. Sell it. Not worth the hassle.

bhale187

http://www.dccarcare.com/tipowk/tipowk15.html

SCOUT5

quote:Originally posted by coltpax
Sell it, when you get back buy you a beat up 4x4 pickup for the hunting truck. I never met anybody who'd throw a deer in the back of their blazer. [:D]


You need to get around more

SXSMAN

quote:Originally posted by 46270
quote:Originally posted by dennisnielsen
Stabil or sea foam in full tank


Lots of good additives on the market for the trans like Lucas.
Install and drive it around a little.


Marvel mystery oil down the intake until it is fogging for mosquitoes
then shut it down while still smokin

Jack stands and mothballs


This use to be current




Dennis has the right answer.


I still prep cars for Honda of America when they send them to Japan for a few years.

We put an additive in the oil and one in the cooling system (to neutralize the acid in both) , fog cylinders with oil , stabil and battery .

Back into service is battery,plugs,OLF,flush cooling system.

idsman75

I have no idea if they still have to drain every fluid.

I love this Blazer. Lots of memories and she still runs great. I treat her with the very best of PM.

I keep a tarp in the back for the dead animals. I've spilled used cooking oil I haul in the back of the Blazer for baiting the hog trap. It's not pretty inside or out but she's great mechanically. Engine runs smooth and transmission shifts like a dream.

I'm going to Korea on a 1-year agreement but I'm going to extend for back-to-back tours. That way, they'll be less likely to move me somewhere while I'm at my follow-on state-side duty assignment. When I get back from Korea, I'll have 4 years before I can drop my retirement paperwork. I don't care if they wave E-8 in my face. I'm retiring at 20. 2 years in Korea will reduce the odds that they'll send me anywhere before I drop that retirement paperwork. This way, I'll feel comfortable buying a house when I get back from Korea. Right now I'm shooting to come back to Benning which shouldn't be an issue. I've had it with the snow and I love Georgia. I'll probably get a house in Alabama because Alabama doesn't tax military retirement pay.

KEVD18

i personally wouldnt even try to so what you're doing. in two years it will be 13 years old and have been sitting with little or no use for two years. so on top of all the fluids, you'll be into it for plenty of other parts depending on how meticulous your lt storage it; and you'll still have a 13 domestic suv that is plagued with problems even when there are no special circumstances. my daily drive is an 01 blazer lt, so i have a frame of reference here.

used suvs in that class are a dime a dozen and will likely be the same when you get back. id sell it, put the money in the bank and buy another one when you get back. hell, you might even be able to buy yours back.

idsman75

I'm trying to convince dad to let me sign over the title to him. He can have it free and clear. Heck, I'd offer to buy it from him when I get back. Minnesota is a good place to have a beater 4WD vehicle. I love the S-10 Blazer.