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Leaving a car parked for 9 months
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New_and_Improved_Me
Posts: 209 Forumite
in Motoring
Hi All,
Was just wondering what the side effects could be of leaving a 1.9 Diesel parked up for a period of 9/10 months.
I use to drive about 30K a year on average due to work commitments. So had a full size hatch 1.9 Diesel. It’s 6 years old and has about 130K on the clock, perfect engine/body and has had the Cam Belt changed at 115K. It’s always passed the MOT’s without any real issues.
Currently, its parked on the drive SORNED off road.
I’ve stated a different job which means I don’t need it currently as I have a company car.
My question is what are going to be the side effects of leaving it parked for that long??
I do start it not and again and leave is running on the drive to make sure the battery stays charged.
I also move it back and forward now and again to keep the tyres from going flat (this is a bit hit and miss, last time back tyre was flat when I looked at it so had to inflate it)
Was just wondering what the side effects could be of leaving a 1.9 Diesel parked up for a period of 9/10 months.
I use to drive about 30K a year on average due to work commitments. So had a full size hatch 1.9 Diesel. It’s 6 years old and has about 130K on the clock, perfect engine/body and has had the Cam Belt changed at 115K. It’s always passed the MOT’s without any real issues.
Currently, its parked on the drive SORNED off road.
I’ve stated a different job which means I don’t need it currently as I have a company car.
My question is what are going to be the side effects of leaving it parked for that long??
I do start it not and again and leave is running on the drive to make sure the battery stays charged.
I also move it back and forward now and again to keep the tyres from going flat (this is a bit hit and miss, last time back tyre was flat when I looked at it so had to inflate it)
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Comments
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The brakes could seize I suppose so might be worth parking it in gear with the handbrake off.
And you might start to get algae type stuff forming where water pools on it, ie round the window and door seals. Regular cleaning should prevent that getting too bad.
The biggest problem I had when I had a car parked on the drive for that long was the local scrotes noticing it wasn't in use and deciding to smash the windows. Hopefully this won't be a problem where you are.0 -
Hmm, there are a few tips I know of, though I'm no expert.
Ideally it wants to be in a garage, not out in the open. Windows left ever so slightly open, enough to allow air to circulate but not enough to allow mice to get in. Jack it up and rest it on axel stands / blocks of wood, this will help prevent the tyres from deteriorating too much. Obviously if it has to be on a drive, then your options are more limited.
Covering it with a tarpaulin will protect the bodywork a bit, but the flip side is that it may trap moisture in/around the car, which is not good.
Leave it in neutral with the handbrake off, chock the wheels if it's not raised off the ground, otherwise the rear brakes will bind.
Starting it up every so often is a good idea - sort of ! Not particularly to charge the battery, you'll probably have to accept the battery will go flat, and a few minutes of ticking over will not put much charge into it. Ideally you need to use a trickle-charger, as running a car battery right down doesn't do it much good. By starting the car every so often, it'll help prevent things from seizing up. In general, running the engine for just a few minutes at a time is a bad idea, but in a situation such as this then I think it's the lesser of two evils.
As I say, I'm not an expert, and quite happy to be corrected on anything I've said. Just tips that I've picked up over the years. I do know that laying a car up professionally ( e.g. for classics in storage ) is quite a tricky process, involving air-conditioned garages and all sorts. Not really feasible for the DIY approach ! But hope this helps.0 -
Will you definitely need it again in 9 or 10 months? If this is likely to run longer I think I would be inclined to sell it now while I could and it's one less thing to worry about. Cars deteriorate rapidly if not used regularly. There is no reason you wouldn't find a similar or better car in the future if and when you need one.0
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Roland_Sausage wrote: »The brakes could seize I suppose so might be worth parking it in gear with the handbrake off.
And you might start to get algae type stuff forming where water pools on it, ie round the window and door seals. Regular cleaning should prevent that getting too bad.
The biggest problem I had when I had a car parked on the drive for that long was the local scrotes noticing it wasn't in use and deciding to smash the windows. Hopefully this won't be a problem where you are.
Its already been parked for a few months now and i have been leaving it runninjg for 15/20 every so often and moving it back and forward to ensure the tyres are not sitting on the same spot all the time. As i said with its worked to a certain extent. Only one tyre deflated last time i checked it a few weeks back.
I’m home again this weekend so will check it and do what i can.
The winter is not going to help.. (
However, to be honest it’s not actually worth much in cash value, it’s kind of paid for its self over the years with all the commuting and work travel mileage claims J.
I should have sold it when I got the new job, but it was only meant to be a short contract so decided to keep.
The battery….Ummmmm…this could be an issue if it fails and needs replacing….but I guess ill cross that bridge when I come to it.
I’m not too keen on leaving the window open in this weather….but will make sure I leave doors open for a while when ever I can.
As for the damage from the local yobs, I think I’m safe there. It’s a pretty decent area not expecting that to be honest...besides the other car is normally parked infront of it over night so its protected J
Also because I don’t really see any real value in it I have also cancelled the insurance to save a little cash. Might as well no road tax anyway, so it’s not like I can drive it.
I’m just glad I have a drive, Otherwise would have had to fork out insurance and road tax.
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Will you definitely need it again in 9 or 10 months? If this is likely to run longer I think I would be inclined to sell it now while I could and it's one less thing to worry about. Cars deteriorate rapidly if not used regularly. There is no reason you wouldn't find a similar or better car in the future if and when you need one.
To be perfectly honest..
I don't know, I am looking at options of becoming a permanent employee so will not need the car.
But it’s still all up in the air. As it stands I finish this job end of December.
However, my manager has already said she would like me to stay for another 3 and Half months. But this is with the Finance team to approve currently.
So as it stands I am still planning on the December finish officially. I’m hoping it gets approved and I am OK till April but nothing is ever certain until it’s all signed sealed and delivered.;);)0 -
sell it..its losing you money every week0
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sell it..its losing you money every week
It’s was a consideration...
The main reasons I didn’t sell were:-
It was a short term job
The value was of the car was nominal (1.5/2K MAX), but it run perfectly and there was no guarantee that I would get another for that much that would be as reliable.
The time needed to sell it and the time I would need to buy a new one at the end of the temp job.
May have to re-think that at Xmas if I get extended.0 -
Don't cover it with a tarpaulin or cover as the wind will whip the edges about and wear through the paint at any high spots.
Raise the tyre pressures above normal to help discourage 'flat spots'.
Get a couple of those little plastic container dehumidifier things - very cheap - £1 each from Poundstretcher places as therw will be condensation inside due to temperature fluctuations in the winter - especially if the sun can shine on the car at times.
Most importantly keep the diesel tank as full as you can - or you will get diesel bug growing in the tank which will block the fuel filter when you do put the car back on the road. Get a jerrican and fill the tank.
Camper vans often get this and have to change all filters in the springtime after being laid up over the winter. The gunk thrives on the oxygen in the air-space in the tank.0 -
Don't cover it with a tarpaulin or cover as the wind will whip the edges about and wear through the paint at any high spots.
Raise the tyre pressures above normal to help discourage 'flat spots'.
Get a couple of those little plastic container dehumidifier things - very cheap - £1 each from Poundstretcher places as therw will be condensation inside due to temperature fluctuations in the winter - especially if the sun can shine on the car at times.
Most importantly keep the diesel tank as full as you can - or you will get diesel bug growing in the tank which will block the fuel filter when you do put the car back on the road. Get a jerrican and fill the tank.
Camper vans often get this and have to change all filters in the springtime after being laid up over the winter. The gunk thrives on the oxygen in the air-space in the tank.
You learn something new every day…Thanks.. J0 -
Some excellent tips above.
The only other worry i would have is if there's already a salt coating underneath eating its way though, might be worth a pressure wash off?
I would certainly as a minimum jack each wheel up and remove (coppaslip on the spigot to stop them rusting on solid), push the caliper pistons fully home and pump them back again couple of times to make sure they're all free, also give the brake pipes a quick wire brushing and coat of grease/waxoyl, same with any suspension/body parts that look like they are rusting excessively.
Depending on what you find brake wise you could always remove the pads completely and coat the discs with oil/grease for the duration, or even a light dusting of aerosol undercoat which will rub straight off first time you brake...whilst up it wouldn't hurt to put the car on blocks and stick the wheels/tyres under a tarpaulin or in the shed out of daylight...but thats quite a bit more involved and means you have a couple of hours work just to move the car if needed.
As said above definately leave the parking brake off.
One good benefit though is you could start and drive the car in all gears at any speed for 15 minutes once a month to keep it all running well whilst blocked up and wheeless, don't forget the clutch can rust in place just like a parking brake.
Lidls/Aldi often sell their equivalent of CTEKs smart charger for around £13, you could run an extension lead out (even extending the 12 volt cables if preferred for safety and leave the battery permanently connected.0
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