Heres the deal gents. I might be going to Iraq for a year working for an undisclosed agency. Now comes the dilema of what to due with the SE-R? My question becomes this: Should I have someone drive it once a month? Or should I put it on blocks, drain fluids, and let it sit for a year? The car is turbo if that makes any difference. If it would be better to let it sit what are the steps involved? Stabil? ect. ect. Any help will be greatly appreciated, I need to do whats best for my baby :(

better off someone drive it once a month..it doesnt even have to be a drive really..Can be turned on and left to idle for a few minutes..Only thing about this is that the gas will go bad more than likely

i'll drive it for you.:biggthump
i would say have someone drive it once or twice a month, a little bit of freeway and street driving should be good. if the car doesn't get driven, then like iLlest said, the gas will go bad and your tires balancing will be off also.

maybe ask someone to start it and let it run once a week or two... if gas is a concern you can purchase an empty gas tank and ask them to fill it once in a while.

bring it over to my house ill take care of it :biggthump

im having the same problem, im outta the country already -- i used a synethic 10w-30 marine (amsoil) to run in it before i stored it. it lubes the engine better and for longer, think about how long marine engines are stored without any problems. and some stabil. but only keeping about 2 gallons in the tank. and yeah if it sits the tires will have a flat spot. but oh well. but with this only cranking it once every 3 or 4 months should be fine.

added: only problem so far... my battery died ... lol

it doesnt even have to be a drive really..Can be turned on and left to idle for a few minutes..Only thing about this is that the gas will go bad more than likely

Actually thats *much* worse than letting it just sit.


Here is what to do:

On your last tank of gas use a fuel stabilizer. Change the oil when you are ready to park it. Leave the new oil in. Put a capfull of oil in each spark plug well and turn the engine over without starting it. They also sell foggers (marine stores?) to do the same thing. This will coat your cylinder walls and protect them. Cover the exhaust outlet so animals don't make a home in your exhaust. Put it up on blocks if you are worried about your tires. Make sure the suspension isn't left to droop though, you want it at ride height during the storage period. You might just want to leave it on the tires though since you live in an earthquake prone area iirc... Unhook the battery and keep it on a float charger.

There are many resources online for car storage tips.

Knucks, man, GL with that "undisclosed" company (wink wink). Store your car, unless you have someone trustworthy to drive it around (or at least start the mofo once a week).

I'll store it at my house for you free of charge. (And no, I won't drive it unless you tell me to.)

Agree with what paNX2K&SE-R said, above. That's pretty much what I do with my motorcycle when it gets stored for the winter, here in New England. To help combat the flatspotting of the tires, I also overinflate the tires. I don't go over what the sidewall recommends, but do go up to 50 psi or something like that. Just remember to properly deflate back to 32/30 (or whatever you normally run) when you get back.

Running the motor for just a few minutes to get stuff lubed up is actually tough on the engine and exhaust, as often stuff doesn't get hot enough to fully evaporate all water. So then the moist air condenses on the insides of stuff (like your exhaust) when you shut the motor off, thereby actually encouraging rust or corrosion. If you're going to have someone periodically run the car for you, have them drive it for a distance to get everything up to proper operating temperature.

Knucks, man, GL with that "undisclosed" company (wink wink). Store your car, unless you have someone trustworthy to drive it around (or at least start the mofo once a week).

I'll store it at my house for you free of charge. (And no, I won't drive it unless you tell me to.)

Thanks everyone for the help. Where are you located TeKKiE?

ill drive your car. you can trust me. =P sucks your going there. i heard never drain out the oil or it will cease.

ill drive your car. you can trust me. =P sucks your going there. i heard never drain out the oil or it will cease.

Yeah I though about you.. you seem like a fairly normal person :D Its my choice to go over there.... and I will be making bookoo denero. :eek:

well you know how to get hold of me. i wouldnt drive it just start it basically. pm me or call me. other than that you have many people here that gave you good advice.

Actually thats *much* worse than letting it just sit.


Here is what to do:

On your last tank of gas use a fuel stabilizer. Change the oil when you are ready to park it. Leave the new oil in. Put a capfull of oil in each spark plug well and turn the engine over without starting it. They also sell foggers (marine stores?) to do the same thing. This will coat your cylinder walls and protect them. Cover the exhaust outlet so animals don't make a home in your exhaust. Put it up on blocks if you are worried about your tires. Make sure the suspension isn't left to droop though, you want it at ride height during the storage period. You might just want to leave it on the tires though since you live in an earthquake prone area iirc... Unhook the battery and keep it on a float charger.

There are many resources online for car storage tips.


My car spent about two years in storage when I lived out in Hawaii. Above is exactly what I did and it ran PERFECT again! Started right up.
However, before I started it I pulled the coil plug and let it turn over a few times to build up oil pressure.
At the time I had the stock brakes on the car. I went to the local junk yard and bought 3 more doughnuts fior $30. I'd rather let those get flat spots then my tires.

Thanks everyone for the help. Where are you located TeKKiE?

About as far in west Texas as possible. (about a 10~11hr. drive from Elll Ayyyyeee Seee Ayyyeee

Good luck over there... I have a friend that recently came back after being over there for a year. I'd offer to hold onto your car, but I have no where to put it.

My friend is in Iraq as well, I visit his place once every 3-6 months if im lucky so I put in a half can of that sta-bil in his truck and mustang, 2oz per gallon in his small engines like the lawn tractor and charge the batterys every visit. the sta-bil keeps fuel fresh as a total drain would cause rubber parts to dry out and crack.
I try to drive his now supercharged mustang as much as possalbe if you know what I mean, wouldnt want those tires to dry rot or something ;)

ive known many a sr20 to sit 6 or more months without even cranking....jump in and drive it. *** it may not be the best thing....but people do it.

Yeah I though about you.. you seem like a fairly normal person :D Its my choice to go over there.... and I will be making bookoo denero. :eek:


you know, you can sell yourself here and be just as profitable...

just dont get caught.:rofl: