OK my wife doesn't want to sell her Volvo claming she does like the new Volvo's body style. I'm moving overseas and plan to put my 2000 S70 in storage for about 1-2 yrs. Will leaving the car in storage this long affect the engine? Are there any preparation work that can be done to minimize the effects resulted from this long-term storage. Finally, will there be any problems if I were to disconnect the battery.

Thanks everyone!

Seth

I have read on the web that Volvo has a publication dealing with long term storage. I'd do a search on the topic here.

The economics of storage and risk of loss during two years of storage make me think that it is not a really good idea. I would be worried about soft items like seals, belts, O-rings, etc.

Any time that I have stored a car for even a month, problems popped up.

Last summer I kept a 740 wagon in my yard for 2 months while a friend waited for a payment to come in so she could pay me.

I started the car each week and ran it for 1/2 hour at idle, and at different speeds.

The car suffered two "no Start" episodes, one "would not idle" episode and displayed the air bag warning light two days after she picked the car up.

I never had any of these issues in the 3 years We drove the car, and none have returned in the 8 months since she has been driving the car every day.

I work for a fire department, we keep trucks for a long time compared to their usage, and we do a lot of preventive maintenance. I have seen many many more items die from lack of use than seeing them wear out.
--
2 8s & 2 7s 600,000 miles total

Even if you don't sell it, maybe you could find someone you trust who has a good driving record to take it off your hands while you are gone. Have them "lease" it from you. $50 a month. Have them insure it, handle oil changes and other maintenance. Create a lease term agreement so you get the car back when you return.

This could work out well for both parties. I would rather come back to my car with an extra 25k (2 years avg) on it than have to worry about all the troubles long term storage could cause.

I also wouldn't mind being on the other end. $50 a month is short money for such a nice car.

If it is family or someone you can trust, shouldn't be too much problem. Heck, hire a lawyer to draw up the terms in writing.

Just an opinion.

-Jason

I'll do it!!!
Just let me know when to pick it up.

:)

If you're working for the gov't and/or a large corporation, they'll do all this for you, they've got this down to a science. They keep the cars in covered warehouses, and drive them around every month or so, change the oil, charge the batteries, etc.

Otherwise...this is surely not an all-inclusive list, but .... you definitely want to keep rodents at bay, because the last thing you want to come back to is to find your engine and or exhaust or HVAC full of mice and/or their cache f seeds and/or find your leather upholstery eaten by hungry mice. Yes, they will nest INSIDE the motor and INSIDE the HVAC system. And shredded mice do not smell good. Plug EVERY possible point of entry, stuff steel wool up the tailpipe and seal all the air intakes, put lots of moth balls around the interior, the supposedly discourage the mice. Also, you don't want to let the tires flat spot, so put it on jackstands or steel wheels. Take the battery out, replace it when you return. Fill the gas tank, then drain it and refill with fresh gasoline when you return. Also do a major service when you return, changing all fluids. I'm sure I've forgotten something, though.

It sill probably makes more (financial) sense to sell the car, invest the proceeds, and buy another one when you return, IMO.

-Punxsutawney Phil