What is your advice on POV storage during deployment? Is it enough to have someone start it every once in a while?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 12:16:17 -0500

My truck will be in the garage while I'm gone for a year long deployment. My brother agreed to start it and let the engine run every month or every couple of weeks. I'm just curious if that will be sufficient. I worry about old fuel and other potential issues.

Response by SSG Mike S made Jan 23 at 2019 12:23 PM

SSG Mike S — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 12:23:05 -0500

My personal recommendation: Get an oil change prior to departure (unless you've had one recently). Add fuel stabilizer. Keep the tank full (helps keep moisture out of tank). Disconnect the battery.

Doesn't hurt to have a mechanic inspect it as well prior to storage.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Jan 23 at 2019 12:26 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 12:26:18 -0500

You can put fuel stabilizer in the gas tank that will help keep it in good shape. When I went to Korea my folks kept my truck for me, we put it on blocks to keep the tires from getting flat spots (has something to do with the steel belts and inflation ), they started it and let it run periodically so the battery wouldn't run down and all was well.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jan 23 at 2019 12:31 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 12:31:12 -0500

It needs to be driven to keep rust from building on the brakes, keep the oil seals wet and drying out causing leaks. Just idling it doesn't do it.

SGT Private RallyPoint Member good luck and be safe on your deployment. The Gray Beards here appreciate your sacrifice.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Jan 23 at 2019 12:34 PM

SSG Carlos Madden — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 12:34:05 -0500

I left mine in the back of my mother's drive way the entire year including a New England winter. She did not start or move the car once! When I came home I had to have to towed to the shop down the street. It was a pain but in the end only cost a few hundred bucks. I'm not sure if I would have saved anything by paying to have it stored. My recommendation is fuel stabilizer, put it up on blocks, and disconnect the battery.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2019 12:46 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 12:46:53 -0500

I might even recommend having your brother driving it around a little too if he can. I've read just letting the engine run doesn't necessarily help. Cars like to be run.

Response by SSG Laurie Mullen made Jan 23 at 2019 2:24 PM

SSG Laurie Mullen — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 14:24:50 -0500

i left mine with my landlord and gave him permission to drive it to work once or twice a week. my car was still in great shape and my apartment was waiting for me when i got back. i didn't want to leave my vehicle in the contracted civilian storage lot because there had been too many reports about parts being removed from the vehicles.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Jan 23 at 2019 2:40 PM

SSG Brian G. — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 14:40:57 -0500

Get it serviced before you leave. The full works. If you have someone you can leave it with that is responsible then have them drive it. Don't just have them start it and idle it. That does not nothing really. The vehicle needs to be driven to maintain the battery charge and to properly lubricate everything and keep the rust off and corrosion down.

If you are determined to store it then still get it serviced before you leave, put it up on blocks, disconnect the battery and put fuel stabilizer in the tank. Also recommend you contact a mechanic that you trust for their suggestions/opinion.

Good luck.

Response by Patricia Overmeyer made Jan 23 at 2019 2:49 PM

Patricia Overmeyer — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 14:49:27 -0500

Ah, sounds like the first time you have ever had to pickle a vehicle. We used to do this every winter with the motorcycles for...oh, never mind how many years (let's just say we were doing it probably before you were born). We now do this with our sports car during the summer (because I'm not into driving with the top down when it's 110 degrees). Follow these tips and you should be able to have a well preserved vehicle when you return.
1. Just prior to putting the vehicle in the garage, living room, wherever, drive it for approximately half an hour to get all the oil warmed up and running through the engine, etc. Make sure you have a full or almost tank of gas and put in at least one or two bottles of STA-BIL. (If this were a motorcycle, I'd tell you to drain the gas, but that's not what I advise for cars/trucks.) Make sure you run the STA-BIL through the entire fuel system. This ensures your gasoline and the fuel system remain in good shape and stable. Make sure your coolant mixture is the proper mixture, even if you aren't storing it in freezing or extreme heat temperatures. This prevents corrosion. Make sure that the engine oil is fresh so that you prevent bearing failures in the engine (dirty oil left in an engine for a period of time can and will lead to bearing failure).
Why should you drive for half an hour prior to putting the engine in "storage"? Because you want to burn off all the water in the oil, engine, and exhaust system. Nothing deteriorates an engine and its components faster than H2O.
2. After shutting off the motor, disconnect the battery by taking off all the connectors (at this point you need to make sure that there is no corrosion on the battery or the connectors). Remove the plugs and make sure that you spray cylinder lubricant into the cylinders. (When you return, make sure to spray the cylinder lubricant again to ensure they are clean and moisture is removed.) Spray lubricant into the exhaust system (the muffler area) until it starts to drip out. This ensure the exhaust system has little chance of having moisture build up. Make sure that the vehicle is freshly waxed and has not been recently washed (again you are trying to stop moisture from getting into the vehicle). If you need to wash it, do so a few days prior to starting the pickling process.
3. Roll the vehicle onto tire preservers or lift the vehicle so the tires are not sitting on pavement. The reason is that the tires will eventually flatten out if they are sitting on pavement for a period of time. These tires are then flat spotted and will result in a wop every time that flat spot hits the pavement. Also, it tears the tires apart faster (think race cars, please).
4. If you are storing the vehicle in anything but a clean indoor area (think a pristine garage with absolutely no little varmints), put several mothballs around the engine compartment, underneath the vehicle in areas that a varmint can access, etc.. Pack rats are known to eat out an entire electrical wiring harness in a matter of two days. Mice and rats will eat out electrical wiring harnesses as well. Mothballs helps to repel them. And you really don't want the smell of a dead animal in your vehicle. Trust me on that one. Put a cover over the vehicle to prevent further damage from things like rain, dust, snow, etc. Put a cover over the vehicle if you store it in a garage to prevent dust build up.
3. Do not think that letting a person run the engine every now and then, even idling it, is going to be good for the engine. For every gallon of gasoline burned in an idling engine, at least a gallon of water is produced into the exhaust system. Drive that car for short distances without burning off the water in the exhaust system results in a rusted out the exhaust system.

Stay safe on deployment and may you have a great vehicle when you return!!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2019 4:21 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 16:21:14 -0500

your auto insurance provider might be able to provide you a cheaper premium while you're away since its not being driven much and mostly stored. Progressive did this for me maybe your company might too.

Response by 1SG Jason Rose made Jan 23 at 2019 5:59 PM

1SG Jason Rose — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 17:59:03 -0500

You should be authorized POV storage charged to Uncle Sam. Usually it is indoor storage, they will start it for you every month, and drive it around the block. Any damages incurred will be responsible to the storage unit. My advice is don’t rely on friends, or family to take care of your vehicle. Best of luck to you and thanks for serving!

Response by Maj John Bell made Jan 23 at 2019 8:41 PM

Maj John Bell — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 20:41:28 -0500

First, Everyone I know who had a friend or relative look after their car, literally everyone, regretted it. Worst case, a Marine came home and there were a handful of bullet holes in the car, and the police were trying to find his car.

I'd say get it to Mom and Dad, but my grandmother sold my Dad's street rod while he was away during the Korean War; for about 1/10th what it was worth. She was so proud. She felt she had set her son up with nice little pile of cash. Dad, loved Grandma so much, he never told her. It was kind of funny for him and Grandpa 30 years later..., but not really.

I have a farm truck that regular use only puts 5-10 miles per week, at low speeds. My mechanic tells me it is not enough. He suggests not less than 1, 30 minute drive, with 15 miles of that above 45 mph, every week.

Response by Cpl Rc Layne made Jan 24 at 2019 2:41 AM

Cpl Rc Layne — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 02:41:21 -0500

Sell it. Get another one when you come home.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2019 5:43 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 05:43:42 -0500

Good morning to you........ I will tell you, I wouldn't leave my car in the military storage or motor pool where they store deployed Soldiers vehicles. I can almost guarantee you that no one there will take care, start or move that vehicle for a year. When I deployed, I left my car with the gf at the time. Since she didn't have a license back then, her family member would start the car 1 or 2x a week especially in the winter time and drive it around the block every so often to ensure fluids circulate, brakes don't get rusty and tires don't sit in one spot......... But ur vehicle will be fine....

Response by PV2 Anthony Foltz made Jan 27 at 2019 3:27 PM

PV2 Anthony Foltz — Sun, 27 Jan 2019 15:27:06 -0500

I’d have him run it to the store and back instead of just starting it once a month. You can put stabil in the tank which will help.