I have neglected my first gen! It has been put on hold for some minor repairs, while I take time to acquire some new parts and to do it all at once, since several things I am doing require taking the same parts off. I had it at my parents and it has been sitting there for about 6 months. I come back to visit them and look at my car and it is covered with mold-like substance. On the exterior and the Interior of the engine bay.

Was wondering the best thing to clean it with, besides the usual elbow grease. Will like that x-14 mildew stuff be ok or just soapy water?

Has anyone else run into this before? Its the longest I let the car sit. I did at least have my dad start it once a week, and drive it around his neighborhood.

Thanks in advance guys

 

it should come off with hot soapy water no problem. i washed my dads old truck that sat for close to a year and it looked like new when i was done.the pressure washer at the car wash will take most of it off and it can clean around the trim where its hard to get a towel.

 

or try a 1/4-1/2 cup of SimpleGreen in gallon of water. you can use it much stronger in the engine compartment. I use it as direct spray in there, sit for 5 min then go at it with soapy water or even just straight cleaning cloth with the SimpleG - then rinse.

Hope your 6-mo sitting spells include sealing the engine off from this same moisture source or the IN sides are going to be even worse (rust). Carb mouth and tail pipes should be ziplocked with plastic to seal out moisture! Likewise fuel tank should be FULL to absolute brim (eliminate air pocket in tank = condensation = rust). Fuel should be treated with Stabil or SeaFoam.

Go thru this routine every winter here (tho moisture a non-issue at -30 below

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

 

My dad starts it every week so did feel the need to seal it off. But Since I saw the mold it prolly isnt a bad idea. But since she is now in Va. I cant see the mold being a prob since avg temp through the winter is around 30 degrees.
Thanks for the advice though