Winter Storage ... Need advice from the Northerners, lol!

[scotty-2-forty]

Okay not really, but kind of related. I was wondering what some of you northern guys/gals do when you put your 'secondary' cars in winter storage. Drain the gas? Disconnect the battery? ... etc. See, I've never had to store a car for a long time, but my money situation since the first of this year has had me strapped from putting tires on the 240. I've been adding onto my home (son is moving in), and am now replacing the entire AC system. I found myself temporarily ditching the insurance on the 240 since it's not even been on the road for quite some time ... AND ... I just sold the Nova so I could get the cash for the AC. Eh, life. Anyway, any storing tips are welcomed.

PS - 240 related, in that this is what's taking time away from her ... Here's where I'm at with the extra bedroom/bathroom/patio addition:
Before ...


Currently ...

[Jagstang]

Oh EM GEE. . . I must say, the second pic really looks like my families beach house in Africa. Looks awesome dude. All you need to do is plant some fruit trees around the pool, and you'll be set during the summer with a tree providing random fruit assortments for snacks while you're swimming.



On the subject, are you planning on leaving the car out of commission all winter? If so, then start the car up every few days, and let it idle for 5 minutes, then turn it off. And once spring comes around, just check on all the important stuff such as the oil, brake fluid, coolant, spark plugs, clutch fluids, air filter, etc. Remember, you idle the car throughout the winter to get rid of moisture that's building up in the engine.

P.S. Before the winter starts, go pick up some "Stabil" gas additive. It will preserve the gas over the winter (so no need to take the gas out of the tank).

[scotty-2-forty]

Oh EM GEE. . . I must say, the second pic really looks like my families beach house in Africa. Looks awesome dude. All you need to do is plant some fruit trees around the pool, and you'll be set during the summer with a tree providing random fruit assortments for snacks while you're swimming.

On the subject, are you planning on leaving the car out of commission all winter? If so, then start the car up every few days, and let it idle for 5 minutes, then turn it off. And once spring comes around, just check on all the important stuff such as the oil, brake fluid, coolant, spark plugs, clutch fluids, air filter, etc. Remember, you idle the car throughout the winter to get rid of moisture that's building up in the engine.

P.S. Before the winter starts, go pick up some "Stabil" gas additive. It will preserve the gas over the winter (so no need to take the gas out of the tank).

Hahaha ... well, thanks. Let me clarify though, as I'm not storing during the winter; I was hoping to attract the 'northerners' that DO store their cars during a non-driving season in hopes for some hands-on advice. Thanks for yours!

Hmm, fruit trees ... probably not a good idea right now considering we have a bit of a Med-Fly situation here in South FL. We had been enjoying the star-fruit from the neighbor's tree right over the fence to the right of those pics. But that tree recently has been diseased and spread to our rose bushes ... the owners don't do a damn thing about it either ... so now my girlfriend spitefully just picks the rotten fruit and throws it back into their yard! HA!

[Jagstang]

Alright, sorry about the misunderstanding, the title may have confused me (winter storage). But yea, since you're not storing it all winter, then just D/C the battery, and put some fuel preservatives into the gas for safe measures.

Here's what my igloo friend does during the winter (he's the biggest northerner i know).

1. Fill your gas tank all the way to the top. This will save your fuel system from oxidation and will also get rid of any water that may currently be in the system. (Be sure to add the fuel system stabilizer at the same time).

2. Clean the interior of the car thoroughly to prevent mold, mildew and critters from showing up.

3. It would be best to wash and wax and polish the car since it will preserve the paint etc.

4. Park the car on top of a plastic drop sheet. You do this because the waterproof drop sheet prevents water vapour from rising from below the car.

5.Also, make sure the car is on axel jacks/jack stands (to relieve stress from the suspension, and to prevent your tires from getting soft spots).

6. Next, you need to relieve pressure from your fuel system. This can be done by starting the car and then disconnecting the fuel-pump. When you disconnect the fuel pump, the car should sputter and die. This indicates that there is no longer pressure in the fuel line. The fuel pump relay on our S14's is located by the clutch pedal down there. Pop off the plastic casing, and there will be a blue relay with a lot of black wires going into it (that's the fuel pump relay).

7. Put some steel wool in the back of your exhaust (so no rodents/critters can get in and make a winter home).

8. Do not engage the brakes on the car (or the pads might get fused with the rotors). Leave the car in neutral.

9. Disconnect the battery.

10. Cover the car up in plastic drop sheet.

You're done!

These rules are for winter storage conditions, but there's enough tricks for you to use anyways.

P.S. Sorry to hear about the Med-Fly situation. As they say. . . Kill it with fire