IMPORTANT QUESTION about storing my car for the winter.
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Kalamazoo, MI
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1986 IROC-Z28 Camaro
Engine: 350 carbureted (swap from 305 TPI)
Transmission: 700R4 rebuilt with shift kit
Axle/Gears: 3.42
IMPORTANT QUESTION about storing my car for the winter.
Not sure what category to put this in so I hope this is ok...
I'm am storing my car for the winter. I just need to know what i need to do to ensure it will be ok in the spring. Some things I was thinking were to start it once a month? Do I need to drain the gas or coolant...? I really have no idea, that's why I'm coming to you guys
thanks guys!
-Evan
I'm am storing my car for the winter. I just need to know what i need to do to ensure it will be ok in the spring. Some things I was thinking were to start it once a month? Do I need to drain the gas or coolant...? I really have no idea, that's why I'm coming to you guys
thanks guys!
-Evan
#2
Junior Member
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Bel Air, MD
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 05 CTS-V
Re: IMPORTANT QUESTION about storing my car for the winter.
I would start it once a week and let it run for a few minutes. Put stabilizer in the gas tank. I would leave the coolant in the car also.
#3
Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Washington
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1985 Sport Coupe
Engine: 3800 Series II Turbo
Transmission: 4th-gen WC T5
Axle/Gears: 3.27 BW Limited
Re: IMPORTANT QUESTION about storing my car for the winter.
Do not start a stored car. That just fouls the oil up.
Use Sta-Bil. Make sure the tank is either nearly empty or nearly full.
Change the oil right before you store it.
Make sure the coolant system is fresh, full and bled.
Use Sta-Bil. Make sure the tank is either nearly empty or nearly full.
Change the oil right before you store it.
Make sure the coolant system is fresh, full and bled.
#4
Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Washington
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1985 Sport Coupe
Engine: 3800 Series II Turbo
Transmission: 4th-gen WC T5
Axle/Gears: 3.27 BW Limited
Re: IMPORTANT QUESTION about storing my car for the winter.
Couple other things:
Throw a cheap cake pan or something on the passenger floorboard under the dash.
If the car will not be in a climate controlled area buy some of the dehumidifier chemical they sell for RV's and leave it inside. You would be shocked how much the glass sweats.
Throw a cheap cake pan or something on the passenger floorboard under the dash.
If the car will not be in a climate controlled area buy some of the dehumidifier chemical they sell for RV's and leave it inside. You would be shocked how much the glass sweats.
#5
Supreme Member
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Mantua NJ
Posts: 5,826
Received 64 Likes
on
57 Posts
Car: 1 Owner 1986 TA with a WS6 package
Engine: 5.0 EFI
Transmission: THM700R4
Axle/Gears: 277 Posi Speedo
Re: IMPORTANT QUESTION about storing my car for the winter.
1st fill the gas tank(a low tank causes condensation)put some gas store in the tank Do a complete oil change,remove the battery and keep it on a workbench (preferably wooden do not keep it on a concrete floor)and keep the battery on a battery tender(storage mode),make sure your window washer fluid can handle freezing temp(if not drain it)cover with a dust cover and your good till spring.
#6
Supreme Member
iTrader: (24)
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: NC
Posts: 7,890
Likes: 0
Received 60 Likes
on
44 Posts
Car: 92 Firebird
Engine: Supercharged 6.0
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 8.8 3.73
Re: IMPORTANT QUESTION about storing my car for the winter.
Actually for a car driven regularly through the summer months, just top off the tank and unhook the battery
If your battery goes dead after 2-3 months of sitting with no draw, its a dud anyways. You live up north so you'd better have antifreeze in your coolant and washer fluid that doesnt freeze (what kind does now a days?)
Gas has a shelf life of about 10 months so stabil is not needed. Most gas has a significant % of ethanol blended in so you need to fill the tank up to prevent the ethanol from drawing moisture
A small box of baking soda to draw some of the old car smell out isnt a bad idea
If your battery goes dead after 2-3 months of sitting with no draw, its a dud anyways. You live up north so you'd better have antifreeze in your coolant and washer fluid that doesnt freeze (what kind does now a days?)
Gas has a shelf life of about 10 months so stabil is not needed. Most gas has a significant % of ethanol blended in so you need to fill the tank up to prevent the ethanol from drawing moisture
A small box of baking soda to draw some of the old car smell out isnt a bad idea
#7
Supreme Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Kitchener, ON
Posts: 2,327
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes
on
5 Posts
Car: 1988 GTA
Engine: LB9
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.45
Re: IMPORTANT QUESTION about storing my car for the winter.
All good tips, but I would use Stabil. It's also good to pump your tires up over 40 PSI to help keep them round. They still might thump a wee bit for the first few miles in the spring, but they will smooth back out.
And definitely do not start a stored car in the winter. Leave it alone until spring.
And definitely do not start a stored car in the winter. Leave it alone until spring.
Trending Topics
#8
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 89 Firebird Formula 350
Engine: 350 tpi
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.27
Re: IMPORTANT QUESTION about storing my car for the winter.
It's also a good to cap your exhaust tips so critters won't get in. Shove some steel wool up there or use some plastic bags and rubber bands. Make sure you check air ducts and exhaust for nests or debris come spring Fried chipmunk stinks. Trust me.
#10
Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Washington
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1985 Sport Coupe
Engine: 3800 Series II Turbo
Transmission: 4th-gen WC T5
Axle/Gears: 3.27 BW Limited
Re: IMPORTANT QUESTION about storing my car for the winter.
I have known of it happening. It can create an exhaust fire if they build a nest up there.
#11
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Kalamazoo, MI
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1986 IROC-Z28 Camaro
Engine: 350 carbureted (swap from 305 TPI)
Transmission: 700R4 rebuilt with shift kit
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: IMPORTANT QUESTION about storing my car for the winter.
Thanks for all the replies guys! I will be coming back home for thanksgiving and I'll make sure to get her all ready for storage.
What needs to be done after storage for the spring when you take it back out?
What needs to be done after storage for the spring when you take it back out?
#13
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Kalamazoo, MI
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Car: 1986 IROC-Z28 Camaro
Engine: 350 carbureted (swap from 305 TPI)
Transmission: 700R4 rebuilt with shift kit
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: IMPORTANT QUESTION about storing my car for the winter.
Ok, can't wait till spring!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
1992 Trans Am
Suspension and Chassis
1
08-09-2015 04:32 PM