Winter Storage Check List
Racer
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria VA
Re: Winter Storage Check List (Justin79-L-82)
I am one of the unfortunate people who bought a vette without realizing the importance of a garage :( I found out last winter and I don't want to put my baby through that again, so, since adding a garage to the house is out of the question (i'd have better luck praying for and 80 degree winter than finding a damn contractor) I am looking into some of these "temporary" garages. Has anyone here used them? Here is what I'm thinking about....
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...oductId=389507
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...oductId=389507
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Re: Winter Storage Check List (bac22)
Seals do dry, I can't even begin to count the number of times people write in spring about leaks, something I've never had a problem with.
But what you should never do is run the engine at idle, the engine wasn't designed to run at idle. You should start the engine every 2 weeks and run at road speeds RPM wise for 30 minutes. This allows any moisture that collected in the oil to burn off as well as any moisture within the exhaust to burn off, not to mention you are re-lubricating internal parts. Make sure the hood is open since there is no air blowing through the car as it is not moving.
Please point me to any thread regarding seals that have dried out solely because of winter storage- I've never seen one. I know there's lots of leaky engine posts, but not due to short term storage problems.
Engine oil continues to cling surfaces long after the engine is shut down- for months or years in most cases. Brand new engines can sit for months or years at the assembly plant/distribution centers/dealers inventory without any preservation and they suffer no storage induced leakage, why is the engine in your Corvette any different?
Not trying to be argumentative, just hoping to put some solid facts behind the discussion.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Re: Winter Storage Check List (Justin79-L-82)
If your not going to drive much over the winter, I suggest some gasoline stabilizer. Today's gas is only good for about two-three months. Then, if you keep your tank full, your chances of getting any vapor lock is reduced.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: Snohomish, WA. USA
Re: Winter Storage Check List (pingdashf)
Justin, I have a temp carport I bought at Costco at a price of around $150.00 Works great for storing my supercab pickup in. I would look that way before paying close to $400.00
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 1
From: Fishkill NY
Re: Winter Storage Check List (pingdashf)
A friend of mine has one of these. He setup a wood floor then installed this on top of it., Works great for him :yesnod:
I am one of the unfortunate people who bought a vette without realizing the importance of a garage :( I found out last winter and I don't want to put my baby through that again, so, since adding a garage to the house is out of the question (i'd have better luck praying for and 80 degree winter than finding a damn contractor) I am looking into some of these "temporary" garages. Has anyone here used them? Here is what I'm thinking about....
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...oductId=389507
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...oductId=389507
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,242
Likes: 0
From: Lexington, North Carolina
Re: Winter Storage Check List (Mike Ward)
Agree on the no-idle statement, but not on the drying seal issue.
Please point me to any thread regarding seals that have dried out solely because of winter storage- I've never seen one. I know there's lots of leaky engine posts, but not due to short term storage problems.
Please point me to any thread regarding seals that have dried out solely because of winter storage- I've never seen one. I know there's lots of leaky engine posts, but not due to short term storage problems.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
Re: Winter Storage Check List (Justin79-L-82)
I always park mine on 2" of styrofoam as it helps with eliminating flat spots....actually I use two 1' pieces...... one on top of the other.......and make them about 12" X 24" in size. Its amazing because in the spring the styrofoam has a curve in it the same shape as your tires. Several of my friends also do it the same way and are happy with the results.
:seeya :seeya
[Modified by parklawn, 7:01 PM 10/29/2002]
:seeya :seeya
[Modified by parklawn, 7:01 PM 10/29/2002]
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Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Re: Winter Storage Check List (JohnS_77)
I bet my valve covers leak all year, but it is probably so little that I can't see or smell it. When I first start it up in the spring, it smokes from the oil that has leak out from the valve covers.
Conversely, the inboard surface of the same gasket only sees oil when the engine is running, and any residual oil drains off after shutdown. Why doesn't this gasket surface leak after winter storage?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 2
From: Plainfield IL
Re: Winter Storage Check List (Desertdawg)
Someone above suggested starting the car and allow it to run for 15 minutes very two weeks. This is a bad practice and wll contribute to moisture in the engine oil. If the car is started during storage, it should run for at least 30 minutes or more.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 439
From: Loir Valley Sarthe, France
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Re: Winter Storage Check List (Cali,77,L-82)
Just completed my Vette's winter storage for the San Diego area. Just threw my sweater in the back.
That's about it.
:jester
That's about it.
:jester
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,758
Likes: 3
From: Surrey
Re: Winter Storage Check List (Stephen Irons)
Seen the UK forecasts lately? :sad:
Winter storage for the Vette will involve tying some bouyancy tanks to it - the water is already covering my garage floor :(
:seeya
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
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SPARTAN
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Re: Winter Storage Check List
No posts in 10 days. Looks like everyone is pretty set. I'm going to give this a few more days and then un-sticky it.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Cumberland RI
Re: Winter Storage Check List (Justin79-L-82)
I've been following this thread for a while and thought I'd take the liberty of trying to compile everyone's thoughts. Here the are....
http://members.***.net/williamevers/CarStorage.htm
:cheers: :flag
http://members.***.net/williamevers/CarStorage.htm
:cheers: :flag
