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Posted: 12/06/06 02:56 PM
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I am parking my car for the winter and am wondering what i should do to keep the engine from experiencing any possible damage. I dont have a garage so the motor will be exposed to cold and moisture. I know that when i fire it up this spring to remove the spark plugs and squirt some oil in to combat any rust caused by moisture on the rings.
Can anyone else think of something i should do before letting it sit or before firing it up this spring?
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Posted: 12/06/06 03:48 PM
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With a good airfilter and housing moisture shouldn't have any significant way of entering the engine, since dew/rain/snow all would collect on the hood, and the airfilter element/housing should keep air from circulating through the engine and causing rust. In no particular order things I would do:
I would put in a bottle of Fuel Stabilizer and run the engine at least long enough to get the treated fuel into the carburator to keep it from gumming up, then run a good fuel additive in the spring.
I'd also change the oil first thing in spring.
I'd remove the battery for the winter, preferibly put it in another vehicle that is driven, or at least on a charger designed to maintain batteries.
If you want to put a light oil in the cylinders, I'd try it before the shut down to prevent rust formation rather than trying to fix it afterwards, though I really do not think a rust will form if the intake and exhaust are complete. If the air lid or carb are removed then tape up the intake ports. If you have open headers or a short exhaust system perhaps duct tape up the exhaust outlets.
Make sure the anti-freeze/water is rated for the cold you may get, don't want a blown radiator from ice.
These are things I do when I store my Motorcycle for the winter, but they should apply to a car too.
The Silver Buick- '77 Skylark coupe w/455&TKO-600, '72 Centurion Conv't - 455w/TH400, '67 T-bird 4Dr (suicide) w/428&C6. Needing to replace a '69 Firebird 400.
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arcaguy
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| Posts: 160
| Joined: 01/06
Posted: 12/06/06 06:16 PM
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What he said ,plus go to the auto parts store or boat store and get something called "fogging oil". It is designed to be sprayed into the carb or other intake system while the engine is running. It coats all of the internal combustion chamber parts and top end parts with oil so they don't rust over the winter. The other thing you may want to do is to put dryer sheets in the passenger compartment and trunk to keep mice from nesting in there. Otherwise what he said sounds good. Just one caution, do not use a regular battery charger to keep the battery charged you need to use a "maintenance" type charger so it won't overcharge the battery. I have ruined batterys with just a little trickle charger by keeping it on the battery all winter.
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Posted: 12/08/06 10:49 AM
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i have to agree with them except that i try to re-jet (tune the carb for the cold) do a good tune up and at least start and run it once a week. i cant go the whole winter with out driving her you know? as long as you dont get snow you shouldnt have to stop driving your pride and joy in my opinion. besides all the work we do to make more power really pays off in the winter. where i live(deep south) the average temp in the summer is 100 not good hp weather winter is about 40 to 50 degrees nice and dense air. a nice plus is you dont have to worry about heat stroke on a july day cuz you ripped out the ac and you think your brain is fried and you want to kill the moron in front of in the camry with the windows up talking on the cell drinking a cup of coffe smoking a cig and shaving.
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MR4SPEED
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| Posts: 192
| Joined: 10/03
Posted: 12/11/06 05:58 PM
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I totaly agree with starting it once a week, maybe even warming up the tires on nice days out in front of the house. Gotta keep the neighbors guessing you know. Also, I believe fuel stabilizer is overated if the car is to be parked for only 6 to 7 months. I've never used it and my quad, jet ski, truck, and muscle car usually sit for the winter without a problem. Just my two cents. Beer, it's what's for dinner.
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