Take Precautions Before Storing a Car
Question: I am planning to go abroad for two years and would like to store my car. I own a Porsche 912 and am planning to store it in my mother’s garage. Are there special preparations I can take?--S.A.E.
Answer: Storing a car for a long period of time can cause unexpected damage when you attempt to restart the car, so it pays to take some precautions for the engine, suspension and paint.
A complete oil and oil filter change should be performed immediately prior to storing the car. Make sure the engine is hot before draining the oil. You should also drain all coolant, making sure the radiator, engine and heater core are empty.
The biggest headache will be draining the gasoline tank, fuel lines and carburetor. One easy way is to let the car run out of gas in the driveway, but this will take some planning to avoid useless idling.
Then, the air cleaner should be removed and a pint of SAE 10-weight motor oil poured down the carburetor. You should crank the engine several times without starting it. You can do this by disconnecting the distributor lead.
Remove the battery. Jack up the car, and insert blocks under the suspension so that all weight is off the tires. Finally, you should wax the car to minimize paint oxidation, especially since the car will not be washed for two years. If you have air conditioning, the long storage may ruin the seals, but there is nothing you can do about it.
When you return the car to service, you should restore all fluids to their proper level, install a charged battery, check tire pressure and add enough gasoline to drive to a service station. You may also have to remove and clean your spark plugs if the car does not idle or perform properly.
Q: I have a 1984 Chevy S-10 pickup truck with an automatic transmission. My problem is that it does not shift into drive until at least one or two miles. I have had it checked and adjusted, but I still have the same problem. Any help will be appreciated.--R.F.V.
A: The transmission adjustment that was performed was probably faulty.
The Chevy S-10 automatic is a four-speed transmission that uses a fairly conventional system for determining when to shift. The transmission shifts when the engine reaches a certain speed and when a certain load is on the engine.
The engine load, which can be affected by going uphill or rapid acceleration, is the critical issue. In the past, transmissions determined engine load on the basis of the vacuum inside the intake manifold. But the S-10 uses a cable that runs from the throttle linkage. It’s called a detent cable.
Your dealer should recheck the adjustment on the detent cable. You should also check the transmission fluid level. If these don’t solve the problem, you probably have a defective valve body, which is the transmission control center.
Q: I have a 1977 Chevrolet Caprice. The front right power window is inoperable. I have replaced the switch and checked the fuses. The glass is on its track, and I have lubricated all the joints. How can I test the motor without pulling it out (it’s riveted in)?--E.L.
A: You may have a bad motor, because there are no relays between the door switch and the motor. Before drilling out the rivets, check the electrical connections at the motor with an electrical meter to make sure you are getting power and the circuit is grounded.
You may also be able to test the motor in its frame by loosening a set screw at the end of the motor shaft. If it runs free, the motor is fine, and your problem is probably in the drive system.
