Letting car sit for a year....bad?

[Bimmerman325i]

I'm going off to Germany to study starting in September and won't be back until July. My insurance company has given me a couple options for continuing coverage(to avoid massive fees for starting coverage again when I get back): layup or month on-month off. Laying the car up to the insurance company means it's covered for theft, damage, and the like, but since it has no liability coverage it cannot be driven on the road during the layup period. I'm seriously considering laying the car up for the time, as it is cheaper than paying for a new policy when I get back, plus the car is covered for weather and idiot shenanigans.

My question to you all: what damage, if any, would I have by letting it sit for nearly a year, with a) just the motor running once or twice a month up to operating temperature, b) driving it up and down the driveway once or twice a month to get the gear oils warm-ish, and c) not doing anything?

What should I do beforehand to prep the car for its hibernation? What can I expect to need to replace after I get back?

Thanks in advance!

PS: Yes, I will import parts back for you all if I have the time.

[Restoman]

The insurance company is blowing smoke up your wahoo if you have to pay to start another policy, first thing ditch the insurance company.

I say a full tank of gas with fuel stabilizer. On jack stands. Plug exhaust so no animals make a home. Battery tender?

[emi325i]

The insurance company is blowing smoke up your wahoo if you have to pay to start another policy, first thing ditch the insurance company.

I agree, but they all do that.. they ask that you maintain continuing coverage. All insurance companies I got quotes from asked me if I had lapses in coverage in the last don't-remember-how-many months. They also run a credit report on you.. it's freakin ridiculous, but they do it.

[VacMan]

Storage insurance is smart and cheap. If something beyond your control happens when you're halfway around the world at least you'll have an opportunity to claim it. I would leave my policy in force.

Full tank of gas, Stabil in the gas tank, on jackstands, and battery on a trickle charger if you want to be able to get home and drive it that day. A year isn't that long for a car to sit.

Tim

[nando]

you can move your car to a different plan that doesn't cover driving - I did that to avoid a lapse in insurance while I had my car in the body shop for a few months.

[mrsleeve]

yeah just tell them to pull the PL/PD off and just put Comp on it, should be like 8 bucks a month. I had mine on just comp for 2 1/2 years while I was redoing it. I think I was paying 37 bucks a year for theft, fire, and acts of god.

if they wont do that dump the agent and company, and go with someone else. I have been W/ State Farm for 12 years and they have no problem helping me when I need to change coverages on anything, I have had up to 3 e30's my truck and a beater all on the policy at one time.

[jlevie]

There's no problem in storing the car for a year, if you properly prepare it for storage. That includes:

1) A change of all fluids (coolant, oil, transmission/differential fluids, and brake fluid).
2) Use of a battery tender while the car is stored.
3) Store the car on jack stands
4) Lubricate each cylinder with "fogging oil" via the plug holes.
5) Unless changed in the last few thousand miles, replace the timing belt.

During the storage interval, don't start the engine.

[Bimmerman325i]

Thanks for the input guys, I really appreciate it.

4) Lubricate each cylinder with "fogging oil" via the plug holes.

What do you mean by "fogging oil" ? I have not heard that term before.
When I get back, what can I expect to replace?

[Bimmerman325i]

you can move your car to a different plan that doesn't cover driving - I did that to avoid a lapse in insurance while I had my car in the body shop for a few months.

That's what the "layup" policy is. It just covers theft/damage/etc but has no liability or personal damage coverage. The price they want for both my cars is a little steep though, how much did you have to pay for the non-driven policy? Amica wants ~$570/yr.

[jlevie]

"fogging oil" is commonly used for marine engines (inboard & outboard), snowmobiles, etc for off-season layup. There are numerous vendors, see http://www.amsoil.com/StoreFront/fog.aspx for one example.