storing my 328 over the winter

Hi Dominic,
A few simple steps usually ensure a good proactive plan.

1) Bring your tire pressure to 50psi over the winter(it avoids flat spots when you bring them back down in the spring.
2) Fill your gas tank full(super) and go to CDN tire and buy gas destablizer, it prevents the gas from going stale to gum up your injectors
3) Use the battery switch on the car to shut off power, (no need to full disengage the battery out)
4) Every 2 weeks on warmer days only through the winter I would fire the car up(battery will be fine still when you turn on)and let the car idle for 2 full cycles on the fans for the coolant. You need to get the car up to real temp to avoid any type of condesation in our exhaust, or motor. ***
5) During your warm up once complete I would play with the brake pedals and pump them a bit(at least once a month). This helps avoid problems with your calipars in the strinp from a possible seize, and brake lines from going brittle.
6) In and out of the driveway is optional if you wish just to move the tranny and gear oil abit( all for the seals to stay lubricated)
7)Your windows also should not be fully closed either( this prevents the window from sticking to the rubber seals.
8) If your really in the mood a little motor oil on your finger tip and rub it into the rubber joints around your doors/jams, truck lid and the likes.
9) Finally, a complete wash and wax and a couple of car covers and 2 heaters in your garage(one in the front, one in the back)

*** I assume I will get heat from people who say its better not to start the car during winter, this is a personal decision. My experience has been for my car it helps in the seals from not leaking, or new noises when I pull her out. The choice is yours.

As for the spring up, tires go back down to recommend pressure, fresh gas, and start for a spring service.

My routine is:
Oil every spring,
Rad flush every spring
Brake flush every spring

Tranny/gear flush every two years
Clutch flush every two years

Once again from my personal experience on my fcar over the last 6 yrs its been successful.

Happy New year !

 

Just drive the Fu(ker! LOL

j/k
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

You mean like this dont you ?

 

Here's a good checklist that 'gunter' posted on the Pelican 911 Pcar site. Most of it applies to any car:

WINTER STORAGE IN UNHEATED GARAGE

Here is what I do:

One last long run with injection cleaner in the tank, use up full tank.
Change oil and filter.
Fill tank (Add Stabilizer)
Wash car top and bottom (Including the wheel wells)
Dry car thoroughly, drive a few miles to dry out brakes and bottom
Leave oil cap off during engine cooling to expel hot air
Spread poly sheet on bare concrete, park on poly
Place an open box of baking soda in the car to keep it fresh smelling
Treat leather seats with conditioner
Remove battery & put on a Trickle charger
Transmission in neutral and emergency brake off
Extra 5 lbs. pressure in tires, roll the car a little every week to avoid flat spots and prevent the brake pads to make a rust spot on the rotors
Put a little Vaseline on the Fuchs wheels
Polish chrome on sunroof assembly
Close heater valves (Rodents!)
Set up mouse traps or bait
Do not use a tarp or poly over the car; it traps moisture!
Put 3-4 old comforters over the car with a 150W light bulb inside secure on a little stand and a 60W light bulb resting in a metal hub cap inside the trunk close to the fuse panel (Fuse box lid removed) It prevents oxidation.
The two bulbs keep things dry at about 50 deg Fahrenheit (10 deg Celsius)
I do not start the engine during winter but crank it every two weeks with the CDI, and fuel pump, disconnected to circulate the oil
An old radio plays Rock-One-0-One 911-music while the snow flies.

Ian

 

Hum...How can I prevent the car rolling?

 

Make sure it doesn't have a supply of Gunga or papers


Or, maybe some blocks against the tires. Funny, I thought the same thing when I read that....

 

No, that's for winter entertainment while your baby is sleeping.

Chock diagonal tires with a piece of 4x4 or a paving stone etc.

Ian