Storing and Element

Hi there;

I would start it a couple times a week.

Use a fuel stabilizer to keep gas from going bad. Several mechanics have told me, and personal experience has proven it, gas engines left idle for long periods (3 weeks +) end up with malfunctioning fuel systems. This is caused by the gas degrading in the tank, lines, and carb (or injectors) forming varnish. This varnish is a real pain to clean up. It’s a problem you don’t want, especially in a modern car that is not so easy/simple/cheap to repair as the older cars.

IMO, the only way to be certain that the fuel does not give you grief, is to run the vehicle out of gas, thus, eliminating fuel contamination. I do this with my lawn mower, tractor, and other equipment that will be left idle during winter months.

PLEASE CHECK WITH PROFESSIONALS BEFORE YOU DO THIS, SINCE I’M NOT SURE IF THAT IS AN OPTION WITH THE ELEMENT.

The only other thing I’d do is use a good car cover, and plug the vent tube for the heater/air conditioning to prevent creatures from building a nest in it.

Oh, one more thing. It is not uncommon for me to find mice nests in the engine compartment, and other spaces, after equipment has sat for a long time. So, I’ve taken to setting one mouse trap on top of each tire. I check them periodically and found…eerrr…victims in them. However, it is better I find them like that, than after they’ve built a nest in my air cleaner (the ride mower in question ran rough for days until I figured out what had happened!) You might consider setting a few traps.

Good luck to you and yours, and I thank your son for his service to our nation.

The best thing is to use it occasionally.

If you're gonna park it....


Try and run most of the regular gas out before filling the tank with a fuel that does not contain ethanol, and add fuel stabilizer. This should be good for about 6-8months.

Change the oil and trans fluid.

Give it a good wash and wax...and cover it up.

Use a plug in ultrasonic pest repeller to keep the critters out. Steel wool in the tail pipe is a good idea too.

Don't set the parking/e-brake, use wheel chocks.

You don't have to start it up and run it, but if you do....be sure to run it. Not a five min putt putt....let everything get good and hot and circulated. Run an auto trans slowly thru the gears.


You might want to consider parking it for the first 4-6months....then adding it to your insurance for the last few months. That'll minimize the time it is parked and the amount of money ya gotta spend. Factor "seasonal issues" and timing into this too.

Lemme know....I'll drive it and maintain it for him while he's gone....my E could use a break...I prolly wouldn't use it more than a 100 miles a day. :wink:

Thanks
Got it a car cover from Southcoast Accesories.

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