What to do in the spring
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 370
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New England Events Coordinator
What to do in the spring
I live in the cold and snowy North East. This year the 70 vert may not be started for as many as 4 months (maybe five). It is garaged in a moderatley warm garage (40-45 degrees) and i have added fuel additives. My concern is the first start, should I consider doing anything other than turning the key when the snow melts and the salt is cleared from the streets?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
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From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
you should be concerned....your best bet is to drive it occassionaly....how about on a clear but cold day when the roads are clear... this is your best insurance of a smooth spring startup and its fun too.....
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Is the battery still in the car? You should have a trickle charger connected to it if it is. I hope you left the e-brake off also. I live in the Boston area too and I know how the winters ravage cars even if they are off the road. All of the moving parts that are exposed to air are going to stiffen up due to rust. Before driving the car after the 20' of snow melts I would pull each wheel, remove each caliper and lubricate the sliding surfaces to make sure nothing is binding. You might compress each piston a bit with a C-clamp to make sure they aren't frozen.
If the car has been in a garage examine the wiring carefully for mouse chewings and remove the air cleaner to look for nests. Also look in the heater box - I don't know why mice like heater boxes so much but I've removed nests and carcasses from several cars, even ones that had been driven regularly.
Rick B.
If the car has been in a garage examine the wiring carefully for mouse chewings and remove the air cleaner to look for nests. Also look in the heater box - I don't know why mice like heater boxes so much but I've removed nests and carcasses from several cars, even ones that had been driven regularly.
Rick B.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,198
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Connecticut
I've hibernated cars in CT for the last 20 years. I change the oil, use sta-bil in the gas, keep the battery charged and just start it up in the spring. Never had any problems. For my boat, I also drain the cooling system and fog the motor because it stays outside all winter. Joe
PS, my parents and other snow birds keep a car in Fla and only use it in the winter. Same drill works after 9 months of storage, except they jack up the car to avoid flat spots in the tires.
PS, my parents and other snow birds keep a car in Fla and only use it in the winter. Same drill works after 9 months of storage, except they jack up the car to avoid flat spots in the tires.
Last edited by joe73vette; Jan 28, 2005 at 11:21 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,255
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From: Manalapan FL
Originally Posted by phclub
...should I consider doing anything other than turning the key when the snow melts and the salt is cleared from the streets?...
D. Ocean
Miami, FLA
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 370
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New England Events Coordinator
Spring
Yes the battery is still in the car however, it is disconnected. The Garage is a cool 40 degrees on the worst days and pretty tight against critters but I do check before starting.
Thanks for the feedback
Thanks for the feedback
