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By: Toby Peterson
After 2.5 years in the profession of DeLorean service and restoration, I can safely say that DeLoreans generally fall into one of two categories: Properly enjoyed, or poorly stored. When I speak of "properly enjoyed" DeLoreans, I mean that the cars are driven at least several times a month, and run through a tankful of gasoline every couple of months at a minimum. As a general rule, these DeLoreans are much more reliable, more comfortable, and more fun to drive than those that are driven infrequently. I can name several people in the PNDC who drive their DeLoreans on a daily basis, or close to it. These cars always seem to look better, sound better, and require less maintenance than others that are rarely taken out for a good romp. In this article, I will examine what goes wrong when a DeLorean sits for extended periods of time without being properly and correctly prepared for storage (the preparation process deserves a separate column to cover in detail). My hope is that a little bit of "negative motivation" will cause some owners to dig their cars out of the garage and get them back in action. Only out on the roads can they be enjoyed not only by the owners, but by the general public as well.
Many DeLoreans are "rode hard and put up wet" as they used to say in the old west about horses. In this case, wet means that the fuel tank is nearly full of gasoline. There are two main factors at play in this area when it comes to storing a DeLorean. The first is that many of the components in the fuel tank are made from special rubber compounds that are designed to resist the effects of typical gasolines. The second factor is that gasoline starts to spoil very quickly, turning into some very aggressive solvents and chemicals in a relatively short period of time. When these two factors combine in a poorly stored car, the rubber parts are literally dissolved or eroded, leading to fuel leakage and system-wide contamination. Here is a picture of a typical fuel pump support boot after a year in bad gas. Ewwww!
When the rubber parts begin to melt or dissolve like this, the debris can get into the rest of the fuel system if an attempt is made to start the engine at this point. Fuel system contamination may require replacement of all of the major components in the system, costing hundreds, and often thousands, of dollars to restore. If a car will be stored for longer than 6 months, the gas tank should be emptied completely.
The materials used in the DeLorean cooling system consist of rubber hoses, plastic, steel, or aluminum fill tanks, aluminum engine blocks with steel liners, aluminum pipes, and a brass-cored radiator. Some of these materials are very corrosive to one another if the coolant mixture isn't adequate to protect the various parts of the system from galvanic corrosion. Automotive cooling systems should be flushed and refilled with a proper mixture of antifreeze and water at least every 2 years, whether the car is driven or not. If this basic maintenance is not done on a consistent basis, very expensive damage can be the result. Here is a picture of a coolant distribution pipe that "lives" in the so-called Valley of Death (under the intake manifold).
The pipe is nearly completely blocked by aluminum oxide and mineral deposits as a result of galvanic corrosion. We have also seen engine blocks with holes eaten through them, aluminum pipes with pin-hole leaks from corrosion pits, and thermostat housings that were nearly consumed by galvanic corrosion. The best way to reduce the risk of this type of damage is to flush the cooling system, and refill with a fresh antifreeze mixture at least every other year.
The worst place to store a DeLorean is standing on a dirt floor or worse yet, on grass. The frame of the DeLorean is made from mild steel with a unique epoxy coating that was designed to protect the frame from corrosion. The problems begin when this epoxy coating is damaged in some way. Causes of epoxy damage can include frame flexing which can lead to cracks in the epoxy, and brake fluid spills which will soften the epoxy. If a DeLorean must be stored for a prolonged period of time, it should be in a garage or shed with a concrete floor that has a vapor barrier underneath it. If the car is left standing on dirt with damaged epoxy, you can wind up with something like the mess seen in this picture. The epoxy was softened by brake fluid, with the results as shown.
The owner was lucky in this case. We were able to repair the frame without cutting out the rusted material and welding in new frame sections. Other cars have not been so fortunate.
The damage caused by neglect in this area can be very sad to witness. If the DeLorean is stored in an area with moisture, rodents, and insects (like nearly every barn and shed in the Pacific Northwest), the toll on leather, vinyl, and carpet can be devastating. Have a look at this car, which has suffered from neglect and poor storage for years. Caution: This may cause tears to well up in the eyes of any DeLorean enthusiast. The cost of restoring an interior that has deteriorated to this degree can run into the thousands of dollars in new seats, carpets, headliners, and all vinyl and leather parts and coverings.
We have had the "opportunity" to remove mouse and rats nests from various nooks and crannies on many cars. Favorite locations include the jockey box behind the driver's seat, in the relay compartment, behind the front grill, and inside the tool and jack cover in the front trunk area.
The very best way to maintain a safe and reliable DeLorean is to drive it often, and enjoy the experiences of getting this unique automobile out into the public where it can be enjoyed by all. I would much rather see a well maintained DeLorean with 50,000 miles on it than to see a "garage queen" with 3200 miles on the odometer, and a fuel tank full of foul smelling jelly. As we approach the winter season here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, many people will think about stuffing the DeLorean back into the shed until spring once again brings back the sunshine and warm weather. If the car must go into hibernation, please consider calling DMC Northwest or any one of the PNDC board members for sage advice on the best practices to employ in order to safely put your car into storage mode for the winter. With a little bit of planning and preparation, it will be much easier to roll your DeLorean out in the spring and enjoy a nice brisk drive without spending a bunch of money repairing the various systems after winter hibernation.
