C3 Hibernation.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 224
Likes: 2
From: St. Charles Missouri
C3 Hibernation.
If your car is like mine (44 years old) and is a garage queen, how often should the beast be started during the winter months to preserve its vital juices and dangley bits?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,016
Likes: 31
From: Little Egg Harbor N.J.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
No magic additives, no blocks, no nothing other than a battery tender.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Mine sits in commercial storage from October to April. Oil is changed just prior to storage so fresh for spring start-up. It is not started: it is in "cold, non-start" storage but temperature controlled. I do use a form of Stabil but some do not think that that is necessary. For ~$5.00 I do it. Does not hurt.
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CF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Cape Cod, Mass.
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I snuck all the old cars out today 
Roads were clear and dry and I drove them each about 50 miles. Felt great. Unless you can really drive them let them sit.
I almost forgot how much fun they are to drive
Roads were clear and dry and I drove them each about 50 miles. Felt great. Unless you can really drive them let them sit. I almost forgot how much fun they are to drive
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 93
From: Bellmore NY
Here on Long Island we do get a few nice days during the "off season", so I do enjoy taking mine out here and there on a clear day. Tomorrow we are supposed to get mid 50's.
My dad lives 150 miles north of here in NY, and keeps his C4 in an enclosed storage unit [truck body], as his weather conditions are probably more similar to yours this time of year. As he says "we have two seasons, 4th of July and Christmas"
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 307
Likes: 2
From: McCordsville Indiana
Hibernation
I never put mine to sleep in the winter,drive it once in a while when roads are clear and dry, 60 degress today but the bottom falls out tomorrow,will be taking her out today to stretch her legs!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,943
Likes: 61
From: Southern NH
It was nice weather up here all week, but I never trust the salt on the roads. My car stays in the garage until March or April, no exceptions
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,221
Likes: 118
From: Matthews NC
Mine's sleeping at the moment...full tank of gas and a battery tender connected even though the battery has a disconnect switch:
Been nice here today...maybe I'll wake sleeping beauty up tomorrow!
Been nice here today...maybe I'll wake sleeping beauty up tomorrow!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Danville Illinois
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I keep mine ready to go all the time, just cover it with three old blankets to keep the dust off. Battery tender and battery cut off switch and away we go.
Its a driver
Its a driver
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
I don't think I could go a whole month without starting the car. Maybe it doesn't NEED it.....but I do! 
But, when it is started, I always run it till up to full temps for a few minutes.
But, when it is started, I always run it till up to full temps for a few minutes.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,524
Likes: 61
From: Medina Ohio
From the perspective of boat owners in the north, mine on Lake Erie, that go into cold hibernation for at least 6-7 months, usually do the following;
-Oil change before storage. They say the acids that have accumulated in the oil are not good to sit and eat at things all winter. Also has the benefit of being ready to go in spring.
-Either have a completely empty tank, or full (preferred). The temperature swings can cause condensation in the tank. We usually still treat with Stabil or the like.
-Run the engine once the stabil is in the tank long enough that it goes through the lines and carb to protect them as well.
-Run the motor and stall it out by spraying "fogger" in the carb. This coats the cylinders and eliminates that "dry" start in spring.
-Pull batteries and put on charge. (Or leave in on charge)
-A bunch of other stuff that doesn't apply to things that have wheels
..Twin 454 big blocks and that's my standard.
-Oil change before storage. They say the acids that have accumulated in the oil are not good to sit and eat at things all winter. Also has the benefit of being ready to go in spring.
-Either have a completely empty tank, or full (preferred). The temperature swings can cause condensation in the tank. We usually still treat with Stabil or the like.
-Run the engine once the stabil is in the tank long enough that it goes through the lines and carb to protect them as well.
-Run the motor and stall it out by spraying "fogger" in the carb. This coats the cylinders and eliminates that "dry" start in spring.
-Pull batteries and put on charge. (Or leave in on charge)
-A bunch of other stuff that doesn't apply to things that have wheels
..Twin 454 big blocks and that's my standard.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 129
From: Fredericksburg Virginia
First, idle is actually hard on an engine. Better if the oil pressure is up, oil is being splashed onto the cam, pushed through the pushrods, and everything is well lubricated. Starting a cold engine and letting it idle doesn't cut it.
Second, my sidepipes are DESTROYED from all the water that sat in them. VERY obvious that the car was not run long/hard enough to burn the water off. As a result, my inserts are rusty piles of junk and the sidetubes themselves have more holes than porcupine's underwear.
If you don't run it...RUN it...not IDLE it...RUN it long/hard enough to get everything hot and happy from fan blade to exhaust tip, you're doing more harm than good.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
I would think in Missouri, you'd get a nice day here and there as we do in VA. I've never put mine up for winter's storage. There's always a chance to take it out for a spin every once in a while around here.