Winter Storage

[Tango]

For those in colder climes, where there is a significant downtime during the winter, do you try to minimize the fuel in the tank during that period and do you add a gasoline "preservative". I do that for my lawn tractor and snowblower each in their turn, but I have a lot less money at stake there.

Assuming I had no winter maintenance to do (I do) what other steps do you take, or is this too big a topic for one thread? do you leave her sitting on her tires, etc.?

Tim

[kristoj]

I use Sta-bil in the tank and drive it far enough to work the treated fuel through the system. Some will say you should fill the tank to minimize the risk of condensation in the tank. I store mine in a heated garage, so condensation is less of a risk. I like to have as little fuel as possible sitting over the winter, so I can fill it with fresh fuel 1st thing in the spring. I usually leave it sitting on its tires and have never had a problem with flat spotting, etc. If you remove the wheels, make sure you do not leave the suspension hanging all winter. It should be stored with the suspension fully loaded. I also leave mine on a battery tender all winter (with the battery still in the car). It's also a good idea to try to drive it a few times during the winter -- weather permitting -- just to keep everything lubricated. I also cover it up with an indoor car cover. I only drive a thousand or so miles a year and therefore change the oil only annually. As such, I usually change the oil just before storage as I've been told its not good to let your car sit with old, acidic oil in it. That's about it.

[kilrwail]

You'll get as many opinions as responses Tim. I fill my tank just before storage, partly so I can start it every couple of weeks. I use shop quality rubber hose to vent the exhaust, so I get free garage heating whenever I run it or the Porsche. Because of this I don't have to remove the battery or recharge it. It's covered in an unheated garage, where the temperature doesn't drop below freezing very often. I just park it and have done so for its entire life. I'll change the oil in the spring. I agree with John - I'd drive it if I could during the winter, but that hasn't happened often.

[htchevyii]

I Can't really drive mine when it's in storage, (15 miles from home and on casters between two other cars), so I fill the tank and add stabil, change the oil, wash and wax the car and vacuum it out. Last year I just disconnected the battery, but a battery tender would be better, (it still started right up after 4 or 5 months). It's then covered and left to rest. Don't forget some Deacon if you won't be around.
My storage garage is unheated and has no electricity and last year I noticed their was some corrosion on the aluminum under the hood. I'm going to try to improve the ventilation with a solar fan and a few more vents for this winter.
I also may buy a few of these:
http://www.autoanything.com/car-covers/65A3648A0A0.aspx
at $180.00 they are much cheaper than the others that I've seen.

[NJFIAT1981]

Hi Craig and Peter,
I may have to store one Spider outside. Any suggestions? George

[kilrwail]

George - I wouldn't leave it outside in the snow or covered with a tarp - it can't do the paint or top any good. Do you have room for a temporary vinyl garage (like Brady's paint booth)? Around here there are senior's residences with indoor parking and few cars - prices are reasonable. Anything like that near you?

[htchevyii]

I'd rent a storage or consider one of these:
http://www.carcapsule.com/


Both of my cars had water lines that showed the cars were full of water at one time.

[Jimb]

Leave the doors open a crack to avoid collapsing the rubber seals, over inflate the tires and plug the exhaust.
Jim

[azygoustoyou]

George,
My paint booth won't hold snow. LOL http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=42211

[Haps93]

I too, am from the "Great White North". I have had my Fiat for 4 years and so far do the following (not necessarily in proper order):

-wash
-wax
-vacuum interior
-change oil
-fill gas tank and install Stabil
-ensure tires inflated properly
-block wheels
-leave in neutral
-no emergency brake applied
-pull spark plugs and put couples of drops of oil in cylinders making sure area is clean prior to pulling plugs.
-turn over car with coil disconnected to ensure oil is throughout
-disconnect and remove battery......keep on trickle charger throughout winter months in house
-spread Bounce fabric dryer sheets throughout car interior / engine bay / trunk / exhaust pipe (must remember to remove ALL in spring) - (heard somewhere these help deter rodents)
-car is put in a unheated garage
-spread mothballs throughout garage (again for rodents)
-cover
-say goodbye til spring

....Chris

78 Spider

[Tango]

I appreciate it, thanks. I had to look up where Athens was. I must have been within 20kms of there last summer, maybe drove through. We took back roads from Rideau Prov Park to Kingston in the first week of July.

I wondered about the oil in the cylinders trick.

I thought that I read that on an FI model you shouldn't run with the coil wire disconnected? Or is that not the high voltage wire they are talking about?

Tim

[htchevyii]

It's ok if you ground it, otherwise you could burn up the ign module.

[azygoustoyou]

Whats your opinions on my 1800 that sits awaiting to be installed. Should I do anything with it It has already been rebuilt.

[james124]

[quote="Haps93"]I too, am from the "Great White North". I have had my Fiat for 4 years and so far do the following (not necessarily in proper order):


-pull spark plugs and put couples of drops of oil in cylinders making sure area is clean prior to pulling plugs.

Do you put ordinary engine oil in the cylinders? I was considering using tranny oil(or some other oil available in an aerosol can)since it is a lot lighter and may cover the cylinder wall better. Would you have any thoughts on this? JamesG

[pope]

There is nothing wrong with using Sta-bilt and just starting the engine once a month will it gets warm. Unless you store it somewhere else that cant be accessed easily.