Hi. I have a 1994 V6 4Runner and am planning on keeping it in storage for about 7 months. During winter where I live it can get very cold. What kind of things can I do to prepare the vehilce for storage over that time to minimise problems when I return?

Thanks for your help.

 

I do not know if you can run a fuel stabilizer in there, but I would...

Take the battery out and have it off to the side sitting in piece of wood, charge it up every 30 days or so.

Might want to intvest in a cat cover.....

 

Add the required amout of fuel stabilizer to your tank and then fill it up. A full tank will eliminate condensation build up. Pull the battery and store it somewhere not so cold. If your really anal you can fog your cylinders.

 

You need some fuel stabilizer.

https://www.amsoil.com/storefront/ast.aspx

 

If you decide to pull your battery as TACOMANATOR suggested, get one of these.
http://batterytender.com/product_info.php?products_id=2

Its a storage charger, not a trickle charger which can damage your battery.

 

inflate the tires to about 45psi to avoid flatspotting. stuff a rag in the tailpipe to avoid rats and anything else from taking up residence in your cozy muffler. put a few mothballs here and there around the vehicle and in the engine compartment to deter animals. put a container of kitty litter in the interior to absorb excess moisture.

 

Is it worth putting a few drops of oil on the cylinder heads to prevent rust or lack of lubrication when starting up? Or do you think this is over kill? The vehicle will be in storage for 7 months.

 

i dont think its necessary for 7 months. 7 years yeah,

 

Is it worth putting in a fuel injector cleaner before storage?

 

Fuel injector cleaner might have adverse effects if sitting for 7 months... Plus it only works if it's being burned.

 

I was thinking of putting some in and running the engine to make sure it's in the fuel lines before adding more fuel to the tank. My fear is gunk residue from deteriated fuel. I can't get access to fuel stabilizer as I'm currently living in a remote part of the world.

 

you can't get fuel stabilizer but you can get fuel injector cleaner??

 

Unfortunately that appears to be the case. Given this would it be better to fill the tank with gas or leave it near empty?

 

tough call. empty, you'll get condensation forming which can lead to fuel tank rust and water in your gas. full will result in stale gas. i'd opt for a full tank. fill it as full as possible. i believe methyl hydate is suppose to help with water in the fuel tank, but i'm skeptical...

 

If I remember correctly all fuel stabilizer is is just rubbing alcohol, but double check that before you use it.....

 

ok, i checked on that, heet (a fuel antifreeze and water remover) is additives and mostly methanol (rubbing alcohol).... i don't know for sure whats in a fuel stabilizer though.....

reference: http://www.goldeagle.com/heet/faqs_h...uct=HEET&ID=89

 

Thanks to you all for your input. It's been helpful.

 

Don't apply the parking brake. The brake pads will stick to the drum. I also echo the fuel stabilizer and battery removal. Since you can't get fuel stabilizer, I'd probably still fill up the tank as much as possible to prevent moisture.

 

Not sure if this matters for 7 months but you might wanna drive it up on pieces of wood to keep water from getting to the tires...depending on where its going to be stored that is.

Fink

 

Cool thread. We have an Austin Healey that runs summers only. The winters are spent in a truck trailer up in the woods in Michigan (cold).

Make sure your coolant is in good shape if it is going to get wicked cold. might as well change it, huh?

We leave the fuel in the tank, but be SURE to put some kind of stabilizer in it to prevent algae growth and "goo" formation. We use the easy to find STABIL stuff.

Disconnect the battery. If it is any good, it'll still work the next year.

Cylinder fogging is acomplished with marvel mystery oil but that is just 'cause I'm an old time wrench turner and I like the label. I'm sure the fogging spray for outboards would work better.
stick a vac. line into the bottle and let 'er choke on that for awhile. pull it out when it starts to bog down, back in when it clears up. Then, stick it in and let it kill the engine. In addition to creating a cloud of white smoke, you have coated everything in the engine nice and oily.

Leave a window cracked for ventilation if it is stored indoors. Better close it if it is outside. Rain and snow have a funny way of sneaking in.

Wire a can on the tailpipe(s) to keep the mice out. Not tight, because you don't want to trap moisture from combustion in your exhaust system. If you have good cats (meow), you don't need to do this part.

Jamb some wood blocks under the axles to keep the weight off the tires if they go flat.
Throw a breathable cover on 'er, pat 'er on the nose and close the door until you return.
Pull off the cover, pound out the wood blocks, air up the tires if required, remove the can, and hook up the battery. make sure she still has oil and coolant. I bet she starts right up. Runs rough while the oil burns off and then is ready for action.