storing my car for over a year

[stingant0]

Jon,
Good Luck in Iraq. Take it from a guy that has already been there twice.. listen to the guys that have been there for a while. I don't know your rank so I won't give you the speech about listening to your old NCO's BUT it WILL save your life. Its not a picnic over there but also its not dodging bullets 24/7 either. Pay SPECIAL attention to what they tell you to do during a mortar attack. Don't loose your head.. drop to the ground if your not in your bunker and ALWAYS keep your "stuff" an arms length away. Your flak vest and kevlar are you ticket home. Just keep your head in the game and don't trust anyone unless they wear the same uniform you do.

Good luck and if you need anything pm me and I will see what I can do to hook ya up

AL

I am just a SPC, however I will be promoted to an E-5 in a few months. Thanks for all the tips guys. I think I will do what Tracy/fast TA says. I will pull the fuse to the fuel pump and unplug the coil. Then remove the fuel rail (bleed it) and putt that stuff in the holes...crank it a few times and let it be for a while. Also put it on jack stands, fresh fluids, and set a perimiter with mouse traps.

jon

[N20LT4Bird]

It is better for the car to NOT start it. Starting an engine is the worst thing you can do to it. Almost all wear occurs at startup. It is even worse if the car has sat a couple weeks because there is no oil on the cylinder bores.

The best way to do it is to prep it well and let it sit. That is how professionals do it.

I realize that most of the wear and tear occurs on a cold start, but it's still minimal. I think someone mentioned this earlier; a normal car is cold-started thousands of times. The engine is not the only mechanical part that can be affected by sitting. You need to worry about internal transmission parts as well rear end, brakes, etc. I personally AND PROFESSIONALLY suscribe to the theory that if you can keep the parts moving and lubricated - youre better off.

If it was to be untouched for a year and a half - THEN I would agree with some of the storage procedures mentioned above.