[emmetfj]

Hello,

I was away travelling for 3 months and left my car in a storage compound, outside on a gravel/grass mix surface. I arrived home and decided to check the car, all seemed ok although the underside and engine bay had condensation on most of the surfaces. I couldnt see any rust but i imagine this isnt great for the car. Have you guys any tips on how to keep the moistured off it? or am i fussing over nothing? I cant drive the car until January as it wont be insured until then.

Any help appreciated.

[PassiveDefect]

it's that time of the year where small animals look for shelter and warmth. that's your biggest issue.
condensation is fine. parked my car for 2 years and nothing rusted nor damaged from condensation

[pizza_nightmare]

Lay out a commercial grade plastic tarp and park on top of that. Kinda like camping —*you put your tent on a tarp and not right on the ground (if possible). I've had OK luck with mothballs in the engine bay to keep out rodents.

[PassiveDefect]

Originally Posted by pizza_nightmare

Lay out a commercial grade plastic tarp and park on top of that. Kinda like camping —*you put your tent on a tarp and not right on the ground (if possible). I've had OK luck with mothballs in the engine bay to keep out rodents.

I had a nest in mine. tarp and everything on the car. one under the engine cover (ate the manifold pressure sensor wires) and another under the starter/intake manifold. luckily they didnt do no damage. just shoved garbage into small pockets in the engine.

try your best to park on concrete if you can, away from grass.

[6ixSpd]

The moisture from the ground is a no-no. I would at the very least put a tarp on the grass and then park it.

[nsjames]

plywood underneath is better.
tarps are not moisture proof.

mint will keep rodents out. You can buy mint scented packets from your local tractor supply. It's what farmers use in tractors. toss one in underhood, in the cabin and in the trunk. It's way more pleasant than moth balls and the smell goes away far more quickly when you pull them out. They don't last indefinitely though, so you need to refresh them after a few months.

[Efthreeoh]

I live rural. My car is parked on gravel under a car port 12 feet from a small creek. It's never rusted. You are worrying about nothing.

[floydarogers]

The body is galvanized after assembly. Takes a lot to penetrate (think gravel). It's just not something to worry about.

Now if it were e30 or older...

[emmetfj]

Thanks all, think I will put it on tarps and lay plywood over that to keep it up off the ground.

[blueloco]

I would try to get it up off the ground a little too in order to promote airflow and get some sunlight under it. Just a few inches would help, so maybe some scrap 2x lumber doubled up for 3". I have had mother nature try and reclaim cars, boats and trailers a couple times now . Always better to be over gravel. If grass make sure the grass doesn't touch the bottom of the car. I would skip the tarp idea.. I've tried that and only succeeded in making miniature mosquito hatcheries in the puddles that inevitably form.

[6ixSpd]

Originally Posted by floydarogers

The body is galvanized after assembly. Takes a lot to penetrate (think gravel). It's just not something to worry about.

Now if it were e30 or older...

Yes the body is, but countless other components are not. Including the entire rear subframe, dozens of nuts and bolts and other metal parts, all of which will oxidize noticeably.