Almost time for winter storage!

[Steve L.]

Re: Almost time for winter storage!

I used to hate it when you guys start posting about storage.
I fixed that problem by getting a condo in Orlando for use during the winter.
Now the second problem, a C3 in Ontario and convince the SO for a C7 in Orlando.

[Paul J.]

Re: Almost time for winter storage!

Paul,

Seeds and dog food are a banquet for mice. Perhaps you don't store those in your shop.

Ah-hah...my point. There's nothing to eat in the shop and it's full of chemical nasties. The mice don't care for it, and even the lure of automotive wires and insulation is not enough to attract them on their own.

[Jim S.]

Re: Almost time for winter storage!

I stored my Vette in an unheated barn for many years. I used a Car Jacket most of those years. The car comes out in the Spring the exact way it went into the Jacket in the Fall. No rust on the discs, etc. One winter mice ate through the bottom of the Jacket and somehow got into the interior. Took all summer cleaning it up. From then-on I added Bounce dryer sheets inside the Jacket and inside the car. No mice problems since. (But as a matter of truthfulness, I never had a mouse problem for about 10 or more of the early years.) So did the dryer sheets work later - who knows. But I swear by the Jacket.

BTW, if you are storing for more than a year, here is a quick, cheap hint that you might consider. On all V8 engines, there is always one cylinder where the intake and exhaust valves are both open at the same time. This allows air to be exchanged up through the exhaust system, through that cylinder, and out the carburator. (Or vise versa.) That is why when an engine is said to be "frozen" it is usually only one cylinder that is corroded and won't move. To keep this from happening, I usually taped shut the ends of the exhaust pipes and capped the carburator. Depending on the air cleaner type and ducting, you might even cover the entire intake system with a big plastic bag.
Jim

[David K.]

Re: Almost time for winter storage!

Hi Don;

I'm in Montreal - and it's just as cold over here....if not worst. I have two C2's in my garage (65 & 66), and keep it simple....

1. Clean the car, and cover with simple cotton bed sheets.
2. Fill gas tank 3/4 full and add Stabil, & run car a bit on last run with stabil in gas line.
3. I only run my cars 150-200 miles per season, hence, I leave the engine oil in the car......... which is changed every April; before the season begins.
4. Block off the exhaust pipes with something to avoid any critters possibly getting in there.
5. I do not run the engine at all between November and April.
6. Disconnect the battery and keep it charged with a battery minder.
7. Keep the garage moderately heated (50f - 60f).
8. Inflate my repro Coker bias ply tires to 31 pounds.
9. - and forget about it until April comes around.

Think of me when you're shoveling in February............

[Duke W.]

Re: Almost time for winter storage!

Why only 3/4 full? That leaves a vapor dome for condensation.

I've been storing cars for up to 18 months, but six is typical for the last 20 years. I have never used Stabil or anything similar. Each started easily when bought back into service and none has ever had a fuel system problem.

Oil companies typically say their gasolines have a shelf life of one year, but that is conservative. Commercial gasolines contain anti-oxidizing stabilizers to prevent gum formation, and the colder the storage temperature, the less tendency there is for the gasoline components to oxidize and form gum in the fuel system.

It's more important to keep humidity as low as possible, preferably well under 50 percent to prevent moisture condensation.

Duke

[David K.]

Re: Almost time for winter storage!

Thanks Duke;
you saved me with my coolant dilemma (used the Zerex G-05 you suggested) and my car now runs cooler, at 175 deg !
I'll fill the tank and avoid the Stabil. Someone once told me that Stabil is only good for the person selling it!... but I bought into the marketing. I was told that the gas separates over time (octane ) and becomes 'stale' after 6-8 months..... Rubbish in your opinion ?

[Duke W.]

Re: Almost time for winter storage!

The high octane components tend to have lower boiling points, so there can be some octane loss during storage, especially with systems vented to the atmosphere and high storage temperature, but a blanket statement like "the fuel becomes stale after 6-8 months" is just plain moronic. Like most things in life, it's a shade of gray, so you have to consider the fuel system architecture and the storage environment.

Cars with evaporative control systems will suffer less evaporation, and, of course, the colder the storage temp, the less the evaporation rate for either an open or evaporative control system.

I have never detected any more tendency to detonate after storage even though my storage temperatures might be much higher than I like.

I do like to consume all the old fuel before adding fresh when a car comes out of storage, so I usually run the tank to as near empty as I dare, then fill with fresh fuel.

Duke

[David K.]

Re: Almost time for winter storage!

Thanks Duke!

[Rodney R.]

Re: Almost time for winter storage!

Hagerty has an article about how much damage and cost involved from rodents chewing on wires, interiors etc. they claim the best line of defense is to use Bounce dryer sheets. Put one on top of each tire so the mice don't climb on tires and jump to engine compartment. Put some under the car, in the interior and engine compartment. A favorite nesting location is in the air cleaner. Put a few in there and leave your self a note on drivers seat so you remember to remove before starting in the spring. Put some in each exhaust tip because they will live in there to. Fill the gas tank even if the garage is heated there is a temperature change and change in humidity. If the tank is not full it will rust in the areas that are not coated.