winter storage
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
From: St-Eustache quebec
winter storage
I also posted this in the C4 section but I figured I might also get good answers here...<Thanks in advance
I was wondering how you guys up north store your vettes for the winter. I have a heated garage at home. I figured I would start the engine once a week or once every two weeks and inflate the tires to the max. Some say to put the car on four bricks while others say to inflate the tires to the max. I used to have a 79 vette and for thw two winters it was in storage, that is exacly what I did. My 84 has a new ECM that has not been roded yet. Not that I think it makes a difference.
I would like youre opinions on what's best for storage. My vette is a 84 crossfire injection vette.
All opinions and tips are appreciated
I was wondering how you guys up north store your vettes for the winter. I have a heated garage at home. I figured I would start the engine once a week or once every two weeks and inflate the tires to the max. Some say to put the car on four bricks while others say to inflate the tires to the max. I used to have a 79 vette and for thw two winters it was in storage, that is exacly what I did. My 84 has a new ECM that has not been roded yet. Not that I think it makes a difference.
I would like youre opinions on what's best for storage. My vette is a 84 crossfire injection vette.
All opinions and tips are appreciated
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,324
Likes: 2,077
From: Guelph, Ontario
Don't start the engine unless you're going to drive the car long enough to fully heat up the oil. When you start the engine and idle it, the oil does not get hot enough to completely burn off the moisture that accumulates in it during the initial warm up cycle, so you end up causing more harm than good. You can safely leave your engine unstarted for 3-4 months without a problem.
Think of it this way, during all those winter storage months would you rather have your engine make one single cold start or 20 cold starts? Your engine wears a lot more during the first few minutes of operation and when you're idling it to warm it up you're spending even more time with your engine in that "high wear cycle"
Winter storage does not need to be a complicated process. Just fill the tank completely, make sure the oil is relatively clean (change the oil within a month of putting it away), pump the tires up to about 40psi, and then just leave it alone until spring. I think it goes without saying that you also want to put it away clean too, but I don't think too many people here would actually put theirs away all dirty.
Think of it this way, during all those winter storage months would you rather have your engine make one single cold start or 20 cold starts? Your engine wears a lot more during the first few minutes of operation and when you're idling it to warm it up you're spending even more time with your engine in that "high wear cycle"
Winter storage does not need to be a complicated process. Just fill the tank completely, make sure the oil is relatively clean (change the oil within a month of putting it away), pump the tires up to about 40psi, and then just leave it alone until spring. I think it goes without saying that you also want to put it away clean too, but I don't think too many people here would actually put theirs away all dirty.
Race Director
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 10,805
Likes: 706
From: Feverish All Over
Full tank of gas with fuel stabilizer added to it is also a good idea...
Also make sure your windsheild washer fluid tank has the antifreeze version in it rather than plain water...
Also make sure your windsheild washer fluid tank has the antifreeze version in it rather than plain water...
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,324
Likes: 2,077
From: Guelph, Ontario
Hehe, so true, although I haven't driven my car since Saturday, does that count?
Once upon a time I did used to store my sports cars in the winter. I would drive them when the roads were clear though. But one winter the roads were too salty to drive the 98 Formula I had (which I didn't often drive in rain, let alone snow) and that car sat in my garage for 4 straight months without being started once. When I fired it up in the spring, that LS1 engine came to life instantly and made no strange noises and idled perfectly smooth.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
From: St-Eustache quebec
Don't start the engine unless you're going to drive the car long enough to fully heat up the oil. When you start the engine and idle it, the oil does not get hot enough to completely burn off the moisture that accumulates in it during the initial warm up cycle, so you end up causing more harm than good. You can safely leave your engine unstarted for 3-4 months without a problem.
Think of it this way, during all those winter storage months would you rather have your engine make one single cold start or 20 cold starts? Your engine wears a lot more during the first few minutes of operation and when you're idling it to warm it up you're spending even more time with your engine in that "high wear cycle"
Winter storage does not need to be a complicated process. Just fill the tank completely, make sure the oil is relatively clean (change the oil within a month of putting it away), pump the tires up to about 40psi, and then just leave it alone until spring. I think it goes without saying that you also want to put it away clean too, but I don't think too many people here would actually put theirs away all dirty.
Think of it this way, during all those winter storage months would you rather have your engine make one single cold start or 20 cold starts? Your engine wears a lot more during the first few minutes of operation and when you're idling it to warm it up you're spending even more time with your engine in that "high wear cycle"
Winter storage does not need to be a complicated process. Just fill the tank completely, make sure the oil is relatively clean (change the oil within a month of putting it away), pump the tires up to about 40psi, and then just leave it alone until spring. I think it goes without saying that you also want to put it away clean too, but I don't think too many people here would actually put theirs away all dirty.
So all I have to do is: inlate the tires to 40 psi and change the oil?
Sounds simple and anyway I dont feel like removing the plugs, I just changed them on the weekend!
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,324
Likes: 2,077
From: Guelph, Ontario
So all I have to do is: inlate the tires to 40 psi and change the oil?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,790
Likes: 273
From: Bradford, Ontario
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Trust the Patman, he knows! I also believe its not really worth it starting it every week, for the exact reason Pat said.
I have been storing my cars this exact way for 6 years and never had any problems once driving season hits again.
Oh yeah, don't forget the fuel stabilizer!
I have been storing my cars this exact way for 6 years and never had any problems once driving season hits again.
Oh yeah, don't forget the fuel stabilizer!
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,324
Likes: 2,077
From: Guelph, Ontario
Fuel stabilizer won't hurt, but it isn't completely necessary for only a 3-4 month period. Gas will lose a few points of octane during that time, but won't gum up on you. Just be sure to keep adding fresh fuel every 100km or so when you first bring the car out, that way you keep introducing fresh fuel to mix with the old fuel.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: St. Albert Alberta
Just want to confirm as I've only had the car since Oct.
Haven't started it in a month and probably won't bring it out until March or April. Car has a full tank. Charger and car cover from Corvette central purchased and in use. Car parked in heated garage. She is a '05 C6 coupe if it makes any difference.
Thanks in advance
Haven't started it in a month and probably won't bring it out until March or April. Car has a full tank. Charger and car cover from Corvette central purchased and in use. Car parked in heated garage. She is a '05 C6 coupe if it makes any difference.
Thanks in advance