Winter Storage?
 

Hi everyone

Sadly, I think I will have to put my Z into hibernation for the Winter in the next couple of weeks or so. :cry:

I'm going to take all the wheels off and give them and the brakes/suspension a clean and I was also thinking of giving everything underneath a bit of a clean. Any other advice on preparation needed? Stabil? Battery Tender?

Thanks

Dave

Re: Winter Storage?
 

Dave, I used to do that w/ my C3. I treated it like my boat, fogged the cylinders, sta-bil in a full tank of gas, and remove the battery & stored it a wood box...unless you use a charger that is not a trickle charger type....those will boil off all the electrolite....I believe the correct type of charger is called a "float" type, it reads the state of battery charge and only charges the battery when it goes below a certain voltage, brings it back up to spec and then shuts off.

:cheers:
Tom

Re: Winter Storage?
 

Hi Tom

I have an 'intelligent' charger that I think is supposed to do that, though I'm not a battery charger expert.

Could you explain what 'fogging the cylinders' means - never heard of that before.

Thanks

Re: Winter Storage?
 

Fogging the cylinders, sorry about that boatspeak:o

We would pull the plugs and squirt a shot of BoeShield T-9 protectant into each cyl. One cyl at a time, a good squirt and rotate the motor a coupla revolutions and so on till all eight were done....then put the plugs back in & go have a beer!:mrgreen:

In theory, as boats are usually stored out side, ya don't want rust forming on the rings or bores....I suppose with our motors that's not an issue though...come to think of it....which I clearly did not!:redface:

:redface:
Tom

Re: Winter Storage?
 

Added information - the weather here means I won't be able to get on the road again until around March/April. So a duration of about 5 months.

Re: Winter Storage?
 

Thanks for the clarification Tom. It will be stored in a heated garage.

Re: Winter Storage?
 

Fresh StaBil (it has a 2-year shelf life too) in the fuel and disconnect the battery. Charge the battery the day before you plan to restart. Oil change at your option. Stay warm !

Re: Winter Storage?
 

:thumbsup: Dave!

A heated garage! I'm envious:mrgreen:

Just use some sta-bil, a fleece cover & dis-con the battery. Oil change optional for sure......a heated garage...sweeeet!=D>

:cheers:

Re: Winter Storage?
 

Actually, so am I - it's not mine!

A friend from the local club had some spare room in his and offered to put up the 'Dragon' for the Winter alongside his 50th vert. My garage isn't built yet - next year hopefully :thumbsup:

Re: Winter Storage?
 

Not drive your Z's for 5 months?
How do you all do it year after year?
Why do it year after year?
What to do to prepare for winter?
MOVE SOUTH! WEST!
Then all you have to prepare for is fire soot in the air.
And earthquakes. And drivebys.

Re: Winter Storage?
 

On second thought, stay where you are.
Its already too crowded here.

Re: Winter Storage?
 

It's my first winter - only got the Z in Feb. And I'm really not looking forward to it at all. I start getting withdrawal symptoms if I don't drive it for a week!

Re: Winter Storage?
 

I also add 10 or 15 pounds of air to the tires. Don't know if it actually helps to reduce any flat spotting of tires or not but doesn't hurt anything either. Just remember to reset the tire pressure b4 putting the car out on the road again.

Re: Winter Storage?
 

Jim, I take my wheels off and store them in rolling "wheel cradles". My 5 car garage is also heated so I just hook up the battery tender and add Stabil or Sea Foam to the gas. I also go out and start the car at least once a month. Just got to hear the beast roar once in a while:mrgreen: My garage has exhaust hookups so I can also do any other work that needs to be done. Sure do miss not driving for 4/5 months:cry: .

Dave, also throw some fabric softener sheets under the hood and in the interior. Keeps the mice away.....it does work!!!:thumbsup:

Re: Winter Storage?
 

Hey Bob thanks for the extra tips :thumbsup: never heard of the fabric softener thing.. sounds a bit bizarre but I'll try it! Just out of interest do you put stands in the standard jacking points while the wheels are off?

Re: Winter Storage?
 

I jack the car up using the method mentioned in the "how to section" of the Registry. Under the mirrors and put the jack stands under the usual positions (I think they are usual). Seems to work pretty well. I have been looking at the Kiklift setup but seems awfully expensive. I probably will go with a 4 post lift. They are only a hundred or so more dollars and I think have a big advantage over the Kwiklift. I will have to do some modifications to the ceiling in the garage but shouldn't be too big of a deal. I sure envy those guys/gals that live South and West. Sure would be nice to be able to drive year around:thumbsup: Oh well, maybe in a year or so I will retire and can move down to Z-Factor's neck of the woods!! They need more Republicans down there to even things out...:mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Re: Winter Storage?
 

Bob - the way I see it is this... global warming is on our side ;)

Re: Winter Storage?
 

Staybil in fuel with tank 3/4 full. I dont reccomend you fill the tank to the top as the fuel guage might not read properly in the spring (my 90 gauge didnt read properly for about 2 months) :)

Over inflate tires by 10 lbs to prevent flatspotting.

Remove side fender and battery so you can put it on a proper FLOAT charger for the winter months. I do not reccomend leaving the battery in the car, if the charger is falty or the battery leaks it could cause a huge mess.

Place mothballs around the tires if you think critters roam, drier sheets inside the car.

Place silica packs on floor and in the rear of the car to prevent moisture.

Loosen roof slightly and lower side windows slightly to release tension on the rubbers.

Pack the tail pipes (and any other areas...air intake) with cloths to prevent critters from making a nest.

store it and ralax knowing your Z is sleeping warm and critter free.

Below is a checklist I made up :thumbsup:

Re: Winter Storage?
 

CORVETTE WINTER STORAGE

Model Year ________ Color____________ Model ____________ VIN ____________________
Mileage _________________ Storage Date __________ Storage Removal Date ____________

INTERIOR
1. Vacuumed Yes:  Not Required: …
2. Windows Cleaned: Yes:  Not Required: …
3. Leather Cleaned/Conditioned Yes:  Not Required: …
4. Dash/Door Panels Cleaned/Conditioned Yes:  Not Required: …
5. Interior Trim Cleaned/Conditioned Yes:  Not Required: …
NOTES_____________________________________________ __________________________
__________________________________________________ ___________________________

ENGINE
1. Air Filter Replaced  Not Replaced  Type_______________
2. Brake Fluid Replaced  Topped Off  Type_______________
3. Coolant Replaced  Topped Off  Type_______________
4. Clutch Fluid Replaced  Topped Off  Type_______________
5. Oil Replaced  Topped Off  Type_______________
6. Oil Filter Replaced  Topped Off  Type_______________
7. Transmission Fluid Replaced  Topped Off  Type_______________
8. Fuel Stabilizer Added Yes:  Not Required: …
NOTES_____________________________________________ __________________________
__________________________________________________ ___________________________

EXTERIOR
1. Washed Yes:  Not Required: …
2. Polished Yes:  Not Required: …
3. Waxed Yes:  Not Required: …
4. Windows Cleaned Yes:  Not Required: …

1. Weather Stripping & Hardware Treated Yes:  Not Required: …

NOTES_____________________________________________ __________________________
__________________________________________________ ___________________________
UNDERCARRIGE
1. Clean & Detail Undercarriage Yes:  Not Required: …
NOTES_____________________________________________ __________________________
__________________________________________________ ___________________________

WHEELS & TIRES
1. Tires Cleaned/Dressed Yes:  Not Required: …
2. Spare Tire/Tub Cleaned Yes:  Not Required: …
3. Spare Tire Pressure Checked Yes:  Not Required: …
Pressure________________________
4. Wheels Cleaned Yes:  Not Required: …
5. Tire Over-Inflated Yes:  Not Required: …
NOTES_____________________________________________ __________________________
__________________________________________________ ___________________________

IN STORAGE
1. Loosen Roof Panel Yes:  Not Required: …
2. Install Moisture Packs Yes:  Not Required: …
3. Mothballs or Dryer Sheets
Installed in and around
Car and Engine Compartment Yes:  Not Required: …
4. Remove Battery Yes:  Not Required: …
5. Pop Hood Yes:  Not Required: …
6. Plug Tail Pipes Yes:  Not Required: …
7. Cover Car Yes:  Not Required: …
NOTES_____________________________________________ __________________________
__________________________________________________ ___________________________


ADDITIONAL COMMENTS __________________________________________________ ____
__________________________________________________ ___________________________
__________________________________________________ ___________________________
__________________________________________________ ___________________________

Re: Winter Storage?
 

Thanks to everyone, a mine of useful information as always :) especially Tommy, that's great information and checklist. Much appreciated :thumbsup:

Re: Winter Storage?
 

YES, It stinks to put baby away for the winter. One more thing I do is take some silicone grease and rub a thin coat on ALL the weather stripping. Keeps it nice and soft. I don't use a battery tender, just a good drive and disconect. When you get your garage Dave invest in a lift. They don't cost to much and keep it up and away from everything, and so much easier to detail. When you get to our temps of -30 f I could'nt imagine storing my baby in an unheated space lol Have a good winter Tim

Re: Winter Storage?
 

Wow! Winterize, what's that.:-D

Re: Winter Storage?
 

Hey Bob. Just curious, where can you get a 4 post lift for a few hundred $ more than the Kwiklift?

From what I see the kwiklift is around $1000 and the 4 posts seem to be about $4000.

Have I missed something?

Re: Winter Storage?
 

The Kwiklift is $1389.00 plus shipping....total would be probably around $1600.00. We have a guy with 4 post lifts (good ones) that come to our Corvette shows during the summer. His price is 1795.00 and he will deliver and install for that price. Quite a few of our club member have his lift and I am very impressed with the strength and quality of his lifts. I don't know the brand name but could find out if you are interested.

Re: Winter Storage?
 

Wow that's an amazingly cheap price compared to what I see advertised. I'd be interested in the brand if you can find it.

Might have to drive down there to pick it up though :)

Re: Winter Storage?
 

I'll do that...........:thumbsup: