Winter maintenance?

[lunap]

For those of you in the "cooler" states, what maintenance procedures do you do to get the FJ-40 ready for the cold?
This will be my first winter with my 1980. So far she starts up fast, doesnt over heat and runs real well. I am Rust Bulleting my under body this week end.
I will check the levels on all liquids, etc but should I think about a tune up if she is not due yet?

 

[IDave]

All that, and I switch to a lower viscosity oil for winter.

 

[skyshark186]

Might check your antifreeze too. Its way easier to change it when there isnt snow on the ground. Pretty overlooked, but important none the less.

 

[IDave]

I would flush the whole antifreeze system: they tend to clog up eventually if you don't do it. Once a year is a good idea. And don't forget to open the engine block drain: if that isn't flushed, it will crud up too. Mine was crudded closed, and resulted in my #6 cylinder overheating and eventually burning my head gasket resulting in a leak and a tow.

 

[ian]

Where is this plug at? Not much in the F FSM regarding cooling system maintenance.

 

[IDave]

On the F engine, driver's side, toward the rear of the block, down close to the oil pressure detector mechanism. Generally a square screw-in plug.

 

[airon23]

I would flush the whole antifreeze system: they tend to clog up eventually if you don't do it. Once a year is a good idea. And don't forget to open the engine block drain: if that isn't flushed, it will crud up too. Mine was crudded closed, and resulted in my #6 cylinder overheating and eventually burning my head gasket resulting in a leak and a tow.

What is this exactly for and is it real important. I am also fairly new to the F myself.

 

[IDave]

The coolant travels around the engine block in what is called the water jacket. Just draining the radiator does not drain the engine block. This iron jacket is a great place for sediment to precipitate, and it doesn't flush out the top even if you run water through under pressure. I had 4 inches of sediment buildup at the bottom of my water jacket. The drain plug was plugged, and it took a day of digging to finally get flow to it. Needless to say, 4 inches of sediment means you don't get coolant flowing around the lower few inches of your cylinders, so you risk major difficulties.

Of the 4 F engines I checked, all were plugged to one extent or another, and a number of guys on this board checked theirs. Many of those were also plugged.

Opening up that drain and flushing is the way to keep your engine properly cooled.

 

[Velocity2]

i took my 250R and had the cylinder dipped in hot muratic acid for 24 hours... no problem! im going to do the same to my 2F..........

 

[dekuiper]

What do I do for winter? Wax the 80 and Store the 40...

 

[ken_79-fj40]

What do I do for winter? Wax the 80 and Store the 40...

Pretty much the same for me. Wedge the brother in laws MR2 into the corner of the garage, add fuel stabilizer and a fresh coat of wax to it and the fj40, and say goodnight until the end of april to them both.

 

[miletwo]

The Haynes manual actually specifies that when draining you should remove the engine drain plug as well. Page 40 in mine... even has a picture.