STORAGE of RX7
 

Hey Guys,

Is official.... Im going to IRAQ for 18-24 months.
Need to know......

-The things I must do to properly store my RX7.

thanks

maybe one of those storage places...maybe get a big area to store it in and make sure its climate control.

Btw, since your leaving for iraq all i have to say is my father is in iraq also and i hope stays safe while serving duty in iraq...same for you, stay safe! :) :patriot:

I would make sure you drain the fluids, put it on jackstands so you don't ruin all the tires, and most of all, Be safe out there, and bring your ass back to your RX, I'm sure she'll miss you too.

for storing a car long term I recommend the following.
1> wherever you store your car make sure it is never in extreme heat such as direct sunlight or in a hot unventilated garage. Under a car cover is no good. Avoid anywhere that is very humid or doesn't occasionally get some kind of air moving through.
2> Jack the car up if you wish to prevent damage to the tires such as mis-shapening. If you don't mind buying new tires then don't worry about it. If you do choose do leave it on stands, rest the car on the stands by using the rear axle and the front crossmember or front suspension. DO NOT LEAVE IT SITTING ON STANDS BY THE JACK POINTS, the cars sensitive unibody will warp.
3> Drain the radiator by removing the lower radiator hose, you let the most fluid out this way.
4> Drain the oil from the motor by removing the drain plug fro the oil pan. Let it drain for at least 1 hour then give the engine a short crank with the key to clear the oil pump out. You don't want any oil sitting so long in your motor it will just turn to more or less varnish.
Continue to let it drain for about 24 hours, just for safty being.
5> Drain the coolant by removing the lower radiator hose, this will alow the most coolant to drain.
6> The gas tank, here you have a couple of options. You can either drain the gas which is dangerouse and sometimes difficult or you can add a fuel stabilizer to the fuel which you can find at any autoparts store.
7> You will also want to drain the oil from the transmission and the rear differential seeing as how used oil when left to sit will get thick and leave a coat of what seems to be varnish on the surface of where it was.
8> Remove the battery from the car completely, you don't want it anywhere the car that it may leak and cause corrosion. Never put a battery directly on the floor, always but it on top of a piece of wood or plastic prefferably. Don't use cardboard or rags.
9> Finally you will want to wash the car and let it dry before throwing a car cover over it.
Don't think that since it's in a garage or something that it will be fine. After as long a time as you plan on being away from it, the car will most likely be covered with a half inch of dirt upon return. If you have a decent paint job, if it's still glossy, you may want to take the time to throw on a single step coat of wax just for extra protection. But it's not at all neccessary.
Those are the text book guidelines for storing a car for more than 6 months. Hope you can put some of it to use for yourself.
Good luck out there in the field man. We'll be praying for you in this house.

What about the care of the motor: I was thinking about using fogging oil to keep the motor from rusting internally- has anyone done this?

Also; DO NOT for get to cover your intake and exhaust lest some wee-beasty crawl in and make a home. I once mashed a mouse all to shit while bringing back an old snowmobile engine. Ew....

-Kwe