Suggestions for Long Term storing my D?

[Destination: Moon]

Hey,

I need to store my D for 4 or 5 months. Usually I disconnect the battery, fill the tank and inflate the tires on my gas powered vehicles. What is recommended for the X5 d? Do I fill the tank? I have heard that diesel fuel goes bad over time....do not want to return home and find my beloved X5 feeling neglected. Thanks!

[Lubehead]

It's not good to let it sit. Someone here will use it for you so it will be fresh for you when you return. It's the right thing to do. Maybe you can auction off the time to the highest bidder.

Seriously though, use a fuel additive with an algecide, store it in a low humidity environment, keep a battery tender on it and don't worry about it, it will be no less for the experience.

[LeMansX5]

This question has been asked before. I believe motordavid had given a good response to a previous thread on this issue.
My 2 cents
Fill the tank and add algicide
Drying agent like calcium carbonate inside the cabin
Do a full underbody wash...as clean as possible
Air blast all the drain holes
Stuff the exhauts and stick a note on steering to unstuff(rats, insects etc like to live there)
Probably jack the car.

[Destination: Moon]

[QUOTE=Lubehead;677471]It's not good to let it sit. Someone here will use it for you so it will be fresh for you when you return. It's the right thing to do. Maybe you can auction off the time to the highest bidder.

lol! One thing I was wondering: I have never seen oil so black in all my years! Will the soot contained in the engine oil, settle out and deposit itself in the engine?

What happens if you disconnect the battery??

I Guess thats two questions....Thanks!

[Lubehead]

I wouldn't want to disconnect the battery and I don't think it's necessary. Too many systems/programming/memory functions involved and most likely it will need some type of dealer programming to get it to function properly if the battery was disconnected although other posters who work at dealerships are more qualified than I regarding this.

As far as the soot goes, it won't fall out, the despersant package wil keep it in suspension for the most part, however, it's the acids in the oil that are of concern and any long term storage of an engine is best done with fresh oil protecting the bearing surfaces which are the major concern.

[Naz24]

Do you have someone at home to take it out once a week..?

i'm currently at college, my beloved X is at home, my dad starts it up and pulls it out of the garage to run for a half hour around once a week..

[Diesel Guy]

"i'm currently at college, my beloved X is at home, my dad starts it up and pulls it out of the garage to run for a half hour around once a week.."

that's what you think..........Dad's out cruisin'.........

[Lubehead]

Unless he's actually driving it and putting a load on the engine, you'd do better to let it sit in my opinion.

[LeMansX5]

Originally Posted by Destination: Moon

What happens if you disconnect the battery??

Don't disconnect the battery. Leave the BMW trickle charger plugged in.

[motordavid]

Not familiar with diesel fuel storage, but the Net has several pitches for
additives/stabilizers/algaecides; probably worth pouring in a jug on top of
a diesel fill up...

No Xpert on storage, but I have been successful with m'cycles for 40+
years and, cars the past 5 winter seasons:
-put vehicle away clean.
-full tank with a stabilizer added.
-fresh oil/filter if it is "old", otherwise I don't worry about it.
-pump tires to near max; never a problem with flat spotting.
-stuff tail pipe(s), and nooks with soft rags to keep out critters.
-a glass dish of mothballs under hood, on engine and in interior,
to dissuade the ubiquitous winter critters.
-Battery Tender hooked to cheapo appliance timer, set to come
on twice a week for 12+ hours, to keep battery up.

A mnemonic tag to remind me, upon return...

My Vette/X, and 3 Scoots, have fired up every season, with zero
problems or ill effects.
GL,mD