Storage for winter

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rfj62

rfj62

SILVER Star
10 Year 15 Year
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Jul 7, 2007
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Location
West Chester, Pa
Hey all, got a question about semi-storage for winter. I pick up a '89 cruiser this summer, from a guy in Colorado that originally spent its life in New Mexico, with a bad motor. I had enough money set aside to replace the motor and planned on storing it somewhere dry for the winter. Turns out I ended up spending more then I anticipated (I know thats hard to believe), but I ended up using the money I was planning to store the cruiser with, so its stuck outside. By the way I live in southeast PA, albeit not as bad as the far northeast part of our country, we still see snow, sleet, etc; with that comes the salt and cinders. Now this puppy's not perfect but it is free of rust. My question is how often do I have to run this pig to keep from doing any damage on start-up, and if I do run it for a while is it alright to just let it idle? I am running regular oil (non-synthetic) because the engine is still going through the breaking cycle. Any help is greatly appreciated. jeff
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IMOP with storing vehicles make sure the fuel tank is full and has some stabilizer in it. Once a month fire it up and let it idle till it gets to full operating temp(burns off condensation in the engine).

If you are storing it below freezing for the whole time remove the battery and don't bother starting it. It will be fine IMOP.

But it doesn't hurt to fire it up once a month either way.

My dad stores 3 corvettes each winter for 5-6 months. Normally he just parks em and fires them up once a month.

If I was to store it for a year or two I would fog the engine with storage oil. But your once a month run will be fine otherwise for the winter.
 
My 40 sits from October to March without running. I add some gas stabilizer the last tank, change the oil and relax. I'll start if up if I need to move it around the garage. It probably does get started once per month on average.

In a severe climate like yours, I would run something like the Rotella Syn 5w-40 to ease cranking.

That's a good looking 62-I'm sure you keep it away from the road salt?
 
Thanks, I heard people say that you shouldn't run synthetic oil until the engine is broken in, any truth to that? Right now I have about 145 miles on a new Toyota short block. jeff
 
I've heard that running synthetic during break in can prevent things from wearing into a properly seated position. I would wait till after break-in to switch.
 
x2 on why not drive it now?

otherwise, my vote is for simply storing it. RV places sell mats that keep the tires from absorbing moisture from the ground, and a quality car cover will keep the weather off. When we store wildland fire trucks over the winter the mechanics prefer that we either start 'em and drive 'em for 15-20 miles, so that all moving parts get lubed, or that we don't bother starting them til spring.

Or rent a storage unit already & lock it away.

FWIW I parked a 92 pickup after the motor blew 4 years ago, just now driving it again. popped in a reman engine, have some UV fade on the clearcoat (no cover), and the tires began to separate from contact w/the ground, but I still put 650 miles on them before replacing.

HTH
 
Since we already have had snow and sleet, and of course salt I'm just going to give it a rest for the winter, don't want to contaminate that NM frame and body.
 
Watch out for mice? In Montana we have mice that love to find a nice dry place to nest. You might consider a couple of traps set on pieces of cardboard.
 
Never thought of rodents, although now that you mention it, I do remember one time when I was growing up our cat hid in the engine of our station wagon. It did not turn out good for her tail but the rest of her survived. Scared the s*** out of my mom.
 
Found a chipmunk in a rig I hadn't driven for a while. Scared the s**t out of both of us as I was driving down the hill into town -- it came scampering out from under the glove box, bounced off the passenger window and launched into the hatchback area.

They want to live in my FJ60 as well: faint hamster smell upon opening a door. I've made a couple attempts at kicking them out, but I don't know how much long term success I'll have until I get a garage.
 
rfj62 said:
Never thought of rodents, although now that you mention it, I do remember one time when I was growing up our cat hid in the engine of our station wagon. It did not turn out good for her tail but the rest of her survived. Scared the s*** out of my mom.
Click to expand...

Maybe put it up on axle stands with solid footing (good for the tires, and helps to keep rodents out) and keep the snow cleared around the base so they can't climb up that.
 
My vote is a full tank of gas with sta-bil, a battery tender (or just bring the battery inside) fresh oil. liberal coats of Fluid Film on anything that looks as if it "might" rust. and dont touch it. I have always heard that it is worse to start it once a month, than to simply leave it alone. Oh and a cover?

Zack
 
Yeah I'm difinitly tring to avoid that kind of frame.:frown: I checked out that Fluid Film, seems like a good idea. I see that you can order it online but any idea what kind of stores would carry it locally; NAPA, Marine stores? jeff
 
Napa will carry it in spray cans, John Deer dealerships are supposed to carry it in gallon jugs...... that's my plan.
 
my napa has it in gallons. But if your never going to drive it in the winter I would skip it. Only areas I would oil would be inside the rocker panels, rear quarter panels and the tailgate lower seam.
 
If you aren't driving it on salty roads I don't think corrosion will be much of a problem. In any case, coatings like Fluid Film sound like a good idea.

If the engine has recently been rebuilt and you haven't reached break-in, I would stay away from synthetic oil for now... and if you can get away with it? I probably wouldn't restart it until Spring.

In the winter (mind you this is California!) I store three vehicles. I don't run them for short periods as moisture can build up in cylinders, exhaust systems, etc.. I put in fuel stabiliser, drive the truck for an hour... and park. Pull the plugs, pour a little oil into cylinders, turn over with the starter, shoot a little more in and replace the plugs. Disconnect the battery. Put on jacks? Haven't had a problem...fill tire to semi-max pressure and let it go.

If you have tollerant neighbors?...try a "tent"enclosure in the driveway. Spending $200 may be the best way to keep rain/snow/etc. off the truck.

Rust free?...that is gold!
 
Well, I live in a townhome development and no tents or covers allowed, :frown: so it will have to rough it in the snow. I appreciate all the pointer and advice given by you gents. Jeff
 
For my summer ride, what I used to do when I lived in Alaska, was to fill the tank and add that fuel stabilizer. The car would sit untouched from October till April the following year. For the battery I would disconnect it.:cool:
 
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