Winter Storage Question

J

John79Vette

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Joined
Jun 1, 2008
Messages
9
Hi
I am John from Michigan.
I bought a 79 Vette this spring
My question is it better to run the engine once a month or just let it sit for the winter.
I have never stored a car over the winter.
Thanks.
 
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I would start it once a month, but make sure to leave it running untill it's fully warmed up, or your doing more harm than good.
 
I'm with Bird- get it all warmed up- unless you're way north in Michigan there will be a few days you could possibly get it out and drive. If I was going to park it for the winter and not drive it, change all the fluids- coolant, oil, then put a maintainer on the battery and park it. If you do run it make certain you get it completely warmed up and keep it warm for a little while. Make sure that it gets warm enough to cook any condensation out of the engine, trans and exhaust.
 
Throw in some stable, on days it's dry and clear, go around the block and get the oil to operating temp. Once a month is fine.
 
Jsup said:
Throw in some stable, on days it's dry and clear, go around the block and get the oil to operating temp. Once a month is fine.
Click to expand...

If I'm starting it is going for a long spin...........If the streets are clear and dry, why not drive it a while?

Zoom, Zoom!
 
Thanks for the winter storage advice.
I filled up the tank and mixed in Sta bil. Changed the oil, lube job.
Has fresh coolant after a motor rebuild this summer.
I have a battery tender but have not hooked it up yet and need to change the trans. and diff. fluid yet.
I hope to take it for a little spin when the roads are clean and dry.
I just was not to sure if running at idle for a half hour? was a good or bad thing to do.
Thanks again.
 
Idle for that long probably will get it warm, but not warm enough to cook the moisture out. That moisture is the problem- it mixes with the by-products of combustion and creates an acidic goo that attacks just about everything.
 
If your garage is semi heated moisture inside the car will be an issue.Crumpled newspaper will absorb the moisture that gets inside the car and then release it slowly saving the chrome and the gauge internals inside the car.(If your worried about ink you can lay down old sheets first.)
 
moisture has been a problem for me, unheated garages. What else can help with moisture inside and out. I've seen products in boat mags. I lay a plastic liner down to park the cars on
 
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If your garage is fairly tight- not a lot of drafts, you might try an old truckers' trick- lay a couple 20lb. bags of charcoal out split lenghtwise down the side- that'll pull quite a bit of moisture out of the air, Used to use that and some dry ice when hauling fresh strawberries. Kept them nice and fresh.
 
TimAT said:
If your garage is fairly tight- not a lot of drafts, you might try an old truckers' trick- lay a couple 20lb. bags of charcoal out split lenghtwise down the side- that'll pull quite a bit of moisture out of the air, Used to use that and some dry ice when hauling fresh strawberries. Kept them nice and fresh.
Click to expand...

If you have a marine shop nearby or boatersworld, you can get a moisture remover for the car interior if you have problems. I used this in the cabin of my boat while it was docked over the winter.

http://www.boatersworld.com/product/176620235.htm
 
Thank you for the additional info.
I have an attached garage that is not heated. My wife parks her car next to the Vette and her side gets wet from all the snow that melts off her car. The floor stays dry under the Vette.
If a half hour at idel is not long enough to heat every thing up good , how long would be best ?
Thanks again.
 
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