Thread: Defender Long term storage

5 years is a long time!

First thoughts:
- Take the battery out
- if you leave it sitting on good tyres they will probably need replacing after 5 years without rotation.
- maybe an idea to sacrifice a full tank of diesel to keep moisture out, drain on return?
- leave it with some fresh/strong coolant/anti-freeze
- when you get back change ALL fluids and filters

can you do much more than that?

I've only ever left mine for a year at a time but it was left outside through some very cold uk winters and I didnt do anything other than make sure there was enough anti-freeze in the coolant system. I would come back to it, take the car cover off, start it up and drive it to the gas station for a fill up and then to a garage for a service. Twice I've had it stored for over a year and both times it started instantly on return, didnt even disconnect the battery!

Originally Posted by manic

5 years is a long time!
if you leave it sitting on good tyres they will probably need replacing after 5 years without rotation.

You can solve this by sitting the vehicle on axle-stands, keeping the tyres off the ground.

place on vehicle stands, nitrogen in tyres so it leasks slower.
full oil change. put in neutral so someone can turn tyres occasionally to oil gears.
rat traps, roach baits a big bicarb soda on plate for smells and moisture.
pull injectors and put 2 stroke oil direct into pots and turn a couple times.
refit injectors
leave doors ajar to stop door seals sticking.
full tank with diesel power additive to adsorb oil.

when you get back full oil change and fuel change.
you realy want someone to turn the engine and wheels buy hand every 6 months.
it could be worth paying someone to do that for you.

i am willing to look after it and keep it serviced and regularly used to prevent all the obvious problems arising,
you might like to consider my offer,
i will need the vehicle shipped to the gold coast, or i can pop over there to pick her up and bring her back here for safe keeping.
i am prepared to send accounts for her runnung costs and upkeep to any address you nominate or establish regular withdrawals from your account for her upkeep.

Damn you Harry, you just beat me. You must be more thoughtful and considerate