Storing a Indica diesel for 6-8 weeks

saurabh711 · 29th May 2007, 17:43

Hi,

I am an IT guy and had recently bought an Indica Turbo in March 07. I would probably be traveling to the US for a short term assignment for around 6-8 weeks. I need to know what all I need to do to my car so that when I come back its still in good condition and can start off right away.

I don't want to come back and then see that I have to do a long list of things before it can run again. Help!!

Thanks,
Saurabh

theMAG · 29th May 2007, 17:58

Disconnect the battery and jack up the car so all 4 wheels are off the ground

arunforu1 · 29th May 2007, 17:59

for 8 weeks, nothing much needs to be done, disconnect the battery terminal & cover the car.

before storing, inflate tires a bit more than normal, avoid parking on moist surface.

i have parked my indica for 8+weeks due to projects, & it started in one shot after return.

ad75 · 29th May 2007, 18:28

fill up the fuel tank too

saurabh711 · 29th May 2007, 19:23

Disconnecting just one terminal should be enough right? And how much more air should I pump in my tyres? I mean by how many PSIs? 5-6 points?

MODS: Could you please change the title of the thread to "Storing an Indica diesel for 6-8 weeks"

akroy · 29th May 2007, 20:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by saurabh711

Disconnecting just one terminal should be enough right? And how much more air should I pump in my tyres? I mean by how many PSIs? 5-6 points?

MODS: Could you please change the title of the thread to "Storing an Indica diesel for 6-8 weeks"

Not one terminal...pls disconnect the negative terminal....keep airpressure 2-3psi more than normal...
Top up the fuel tank...if the car is in open, cover it up....

if it is in an apartment, appoint somebody who will come and clean it up twice a week....

Abhi

condor · 29th May 2007, 22:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by theMAG

Disconnect the battery and jack up the car so all 4 wheels are off the ground

Guys, that would mean 6-8 weeks of dis-connection and lack of use & recharge. Wouldnt this kill the battery ? Or atleast, reduce it's life ?

I would suggest - top up the diesel, have some one idle it for about 10 mintues every week atleast.

theMAG · 29th May 2007, 22:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by condor

Guys, that would mean 6-8 weeks of dis-connection and lack of use & recharge. Wouldnt this kill the battery ? Or atleast, reduce it's life ?

It would actually mean reduced rate of discharge (due to no load -compared to connection where there will be leakage of charge even if the engine is off over 6-8 months) and the prevention of acid solidification on its terminals that would in turn reduce the efficiency of current flow and has to be later cleaned with baking soda and a tooth brush to reinit the conductivity of the battery to original levels.

Quote:

I would suggest - top up the diesel, have some one idle it for about 10 mintues every week atleast.

Best solution - if anyone's around.

swathyd · 29th May 2007, 22:48

Take adivice on fuel matter from an expert. My friend got his 800 ruined (rust in fuel tank) after he left it unattended for 9 mnths.

gr8guzzler · 29th May 2007, 23:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by theMAG

jack up the car so all 4 wheels are off the ground

Quote:

Originally Posted by ad75

fill up the fuel tank too

Guys, can you please explain a bit on why these steps need to be taken? Thanks!

drifter · 29th May 2007, 23:18

So that the tyres donot deform due to being stationary for too long.

And filling up, to avoid rust formation. But unlikely in such a short span of time, but it doesn't hurt to take precautions.

Drifter

Zappo · 29th May 2007, 23:27

saurabh, i have at least twice left my car standing for 4-6 weeks in the last 2 years. On both occassions I disconnected the battery completely and covered the car. For a longer duration (say 6-7 months) even lifting the car off the tyres helps. However its not needed for 1-2 months IMO.

Do not forget to cover the car as well as you can. You may leave one window half inch rolled down if safe. Also while disconnecting the battery follow the order of terminals to release as given in the manual. You will again need to follow the order when you reconnect it back later.

Edit: After disconnecting the battery the central locking will not function. Ensure that all the doors have been manually locked before you leave.

condor · 30th May 2007, 07:11

Guys, considering that this is a diesel, is it better to do regular idling than to make her hibernate.

@Zappo, what car did you leave idle for that period ? And that was a good point about the central locking.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zappo

Edit: After disconnecting the battery the central locking will not function.

arunforu1 · 30th May 2007, 09:41

do not fill up tank......just leave minimum, as diesel tends to settle tar & gum at bottom if left for too long, so leave only minimum5-6 ltrs, tires would not loose too much pressure in 8weeks, so just pump up 3psi mre than regular.

Disconnect earthed(-ve) terminal, cover up the vehicle, no need to jack up for 8 weeks, as this time is not long enough to cause severe pressure loss causing permanent deforming.

after you come back:
1. connect battery terminal
2. start the vehicle
3. keep it idle for 5-10 minutes, then accelerate in nuetral to the point such that battery sign in i/p goes away.
4. go to a fuel station, refill & get tires inflated to correct pressure.

DieselFan · 30th May 2007, 12:58

I agree with all what Arun has said above. Diesel cars should not be topped up with Diesel. No need to jack up the car just have the tire pressure of 1 or 2 PSI more than the recommended pressure.

I have left my car for over 3 months multiple times and that has not affected my car at all. Even my battery lasted for 6 years (Can you beleive it).

29th May 2007, 17:43	#1
saurabh711 BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Pune Posts: 100 Thanked: 0 Times View My Garage	Storing a Indica diesel for 6-8 weeks Hi, I am an IT guy and had recently bought an Indica Turbo in March 07. I would probably be traveling to the US for a short term assignment for around 6-8 weeks. I need to know what all I need to do to my car so that when I come back its still in good condition and can start off right away. I don't want to come back and then see that I have to do a long list of things before it can run again. Help!! Thanks, Saurabh Last edited by saurabh711 : 29th May 2007 at 17:47.
	() Thanks

29th May 2007, 17:58	#2
theMAG Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Avon, CT Posts: 7,217 Thanked: 1,807 Times View My Garage	Disconnect the battery and jack up the car so all 4 wheels are off the ground
	() Thanks

29th May 2007, 17:59	#3
arunforu1 BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 254 Thanked: 7 Times	for 8 weeks, nothing much needs to be done, disconnect the battery terminal & cover the car. before storing, inflate tires a bit more than normal, avoid parking on moist surface. i have parked my indica for 8+weeks due to projects, & it started in one shot after return.
	() Thanks

29th May 2007, 18:28	#4
ad75 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Noida Posts: 271 Thanked: 25 Times View My Garage	fill up the fuel tank too
	() Thanks

29th May 2007, 19:23	#5
saurabh711 BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Pune Posts: 100 Thanked: 0 Times View My Garage	Disconnecting just one terminal should be enough right? And how much more air should I pump in my tyres? I mean by how many PSIs? 5-6 points? MODS: Could you please change the title of the thread to "Storing an Indica diesel for 6-8 weeks" Last edited by saurabh711 : 29th May 2007 at 19:24. Reason: Requesting change for inital post
	() Thanks

29th May 2007, 22:48	#9
swathyd BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: thiruvananthapuram Posts: 774 Thanked: 25 Times	Take adivice on fuel matter from an expert. My friend got his 800 ruined (rust in fuel tank) after he left it unattended for 9 mnths.
	() Thanks

29th May 2007, 23:18	#11
drifter Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,488 Thanked: 75 Times View My Garage	So that the tyres donot deform due to being stationary for too long. And filling up, to avoid rust formation. But unlikely in such a short span of time, but it doesn't hurt to take precautions. Drifter
	() Thanks

29th May 2007, 23:27	#12
Zappo Team-BHP Support Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 5,922 Thanked: 2,699 Times	saurabh, i have at least twice left my car standing for 4-6 weeks in the last 2 years. On both occassions I disconnected the battery completely and covered the car. For a longer duration (say 6-7 months) even lifting the car off the tyres helps. However its not needed for 1-2 months IMO. Do not forget to cover the car as well as you can. You may leave one window half inch rolled down if safe. Also while disconnecting the battery follow the order of terminals to release as given in the manual. You will again need to follow the order when you reconnect it back later. Edit: After disconnecting the battery the central locking will not function. Ensure that all the doors have been manually locked before you leave. Last edited by Zappo : 29th May 2007 at 23:28.
	() Thanks

30th May 2007, 09:41	#14
arunforu1 BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 254 Thanked: 7 Times	do not fill up tank......just leave minimum, as diesel tends to settle tar & gum at bottom if left for too long, so leave only minimum5-6 ltrs, tires would not loose too much pressure in 8weeks, so just pump up 3psi mre than regular. Disconnect earthed(-ve) terminal, cover up the vehicle, no need to jack up for 8 weeks, as this time is not long enough to cause severe pressure loss causing permanent deforming. after you come back: 1. connect battery terminal 2. start the vehicle 3. keep it idle for 5-10 minutes, then accelerate in nuetral to the point such that battery sign in i/p goes away. 4. go to a fuel station, refill & get tires inflated to correct pressure.
	() Thanks

30th May 2007, 12:58	#15
DieselFan Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,584 Thanked: 259 Times	I agree with all what Arun has said above. Diesel cars should not be topped up with Diesel. No need to jack up the car just have the tire pressure of 1 or 2 PSI more than the recommended pressure. I have left my car for over 3 months multiple times and that has not affected my car at all. Even my battery lasted for 6 years (Can you beleive it).
	() Thanks