Coming out of long-term storage
 

Hey guys... my 8 has been in long term storage for the last 10 months (outdoors unfortunately) and I wanted to make sure I don't do anything that's going to cause any damage to the vehicle on the tail end...

Things done on the car immediately before storage:

• over-inflated tires
• a couple layers of cardboard under each wheel
• changed oil
• steel wool in the tail pipes
• fuel stabilizer in the tank
• bowls of moisture adsorbant placed in the passenger compartment and in the trunk
• battery removed and stored
• fresh coat of wax
• RX-8 car cover

Is there anything I should do on the tail end of storage? Should I change the oil or is it still good?

Thanks in advance...

-P23

You did a great prep job for hibernation. Other than taking it easy for a bit to get all the fluids flowing I would say nothing special to be done and no need to change the oil (no wear, therefore no breakdown or contamination). Of course lower the tire pressure, remove the tail pipe blockage, ensure the battery is charged, etc.

You might want to top off the tank with some good gas

Good calls....

Here's a question: The battery compartment now has a weird white powder in it... No, I'm not gonna snort it, but can I blast it with a garden hose? The entire engine bay has all kinds of creepy crawlies now too... a lot of dry snail shells, spider webs, etc.

-P23

I have some white powder atop my battery, but it's from the top retaining rod abrading the raised white lettering of the battery itself. Took me a minute or so to realize what it was myself. :) It probably just fell down into the tray when you took out the battery.

Yes, it readily brushes or washes off. Pressure wash the creepy crawlies as well.

Yeah power wash the bugs, you might want to cover up some of the electrical stuff. There is a huge thread on cleaning the engine bay.

Are your brake rotors pretty rusty?

Here's a more technical question...

So I sprayed off the creepy crawlies, got them mostly gone, used a fair amount of water for sure. But now...

I have the battery outside the engine bay, it's attached to the proper terminals with jump start cables. I've cranked the engine, but the starter really heaves... it's not the jet speed start that it is usually, but a slow battery-dying crank. Ok, fine, battery's probably a little weak, but still strong enough that the engine sputters to life.

So I leave the engine running, it starts from a real slow 800-900 RPM and gradually warms up to a 1500 RPM.

Problems:
DSC light is on
CEL is on
Giving the engine some gas gets RPMs up to 2500 but no higher
Fans aren't spinning
I left the engine running to charge up the battery, but then it started heaving and sputtering so I shut off the engine...

What's going on?!?

Did I spray the engine bay with too much water?

I would take it on a cruise let it warm up and give her some throttle clean her out. 10 months is a long time its gonna take a bit to get her warmed up to you again. the traction control will turn off after cruising shut off the car and turn it back on it should go away. I would do an oil changed also theres a reason for 3 months, or 3k miles. My two cents

Yep, you probably just need to do some easy crusing. btw: also check your air filter. It's amazing what can creep in there over time even given a supposedly 'sealed' system.

no higher than 2500 sounds like limp mode to me

most of that is normal. turn the wheels left to right will get ride of dsc light. turning of and on again should get rid of the rest of the lights.

and drive in nice.. till fully warm. it will idle funny for a couple of drive cycles. that is normal..

beers :beer:

^yeah what they said.

Some of that could just be the computer relearning things. When my battery is unhooked for a while it will take a few starts to get it running right.

all normal, oil change and top off the gas. your good.

Hi

I haven't driven my 8 in about a week and when I tried this morning I get what I believe is the same issue

Problems:
DSC light is on
CEL is on
Giving the engine some gas gets RPMs up to 2500 but no higher

Can you confirm what fixed you problem.

You shouldn't have any issues at all after only one week of non-use.

This thread is dealing with many months of storage.

I also agree with taking the car out for a cruise.

Once more thing, most of the times the battery isn't being charged when the car is at idle, you're basically running the car off the alternator. Once you start to cruise at a higher RPM the alternator will start charging the battery.

I'd say change the oil, tbh. Like was said before, 3 months OR 3k miles. Just be safe.

Take her for a cruise, she will get her running shoes on again, I'm sure.