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WINTER STORAGE

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by Rosso Corsa, Dec 5, 2006.

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  1. Rosso Corsa

    Rosso Corsa Karting

    Jan 24, 2006
    101
    No.Fork Long Island
    Full Name:
    Lee
    #1 Rosso Corsa, Dec 5, 2006
    This will be the first winter for my 1987 328 GTS with me, I am in process of building 3 (heated) cars garage+lift at my property here in Long Island NY, the garages, will not be finished till Spring 07, the FERRARI is now in a nice garage, but NOT HEATED, am I going to have problems because the NOT HEATED GARAGE this winter?
    Please advise!!!Thanks
     
  2. FasterIsBetter

    FasterIsBetter F1 Veteran

    Jul 22, 2004
    5,856
    NoNJ/Jupiter FL
    Full Name:
    Steve W.
    #2 FasterIsBetter, Dec 5, 2006
    No problems with an unheated garage. Just clean the car before you put it away, change the oil, and get a car cover. Make sure the cover is breathable. Cover it up and that's it. If you are concerned about the battery running down, pick up a battery tender at Sears. It will automatically trickle charge the battery when needed and when the weather gets good in the spring, just start it up and you are good to go. Oh, and top up the gas tank so you don't get any condensation. You can add some gas stabilizer if you want, but if you are storing for less than 6 months, it's probably not needed.
     
  3. Ricard

    Ricard Formula Junior

    Jan 23, 2004
    867
    Donington Park
    Full Name:
    Richard C
    #3 Ricard, Dec 5, 2006
    Quick question, why change the oil before storing?
     
  4. enjoythemusic

    enjoythemusic F1 World Champ

    Apr 20, 2002
    10,676
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    Steven
    #4 enjoythemusic, Dec 5, 2006
    i'd change oil and tranny, reason being to eliminate possible contaminents within the fluids from sitting long-term in the engine.
     
  5. Jeff328

    Jeff328 Formula 3

    Sep 5, 2006
    2,293
    WI
    #5 Jeff328, Dec 5, 2006
    There are two schools of thought regarding oil changes and storage.

    The first is like enjoythemusic said, change the oil prior to storage to get contaminants out of the engine.

    The second is to change the oil when you take the car out of storage in the spring, especially if you have an unheated garage. This way you also drain out a winter's worth of condensation. All the contaminants just sit in the sump anyway since the oil drains back there when the car isn't running.

    I have an old musclecar that I leave the oil in over the winter and I am doing the same with my Ferrari. Since each car is driven much less than 1000 miles/year, how contaminated can the oil get? It still looks like new oil when I drain it out in spring.
     
  6. enjoythemusic

    enjoythemusic F1 World Champ

    Apr 20, 2002
    10,676
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    #6 enjoythemusic, Dec 5, 2006
    Jeff,

    Excellent post... and the REALLY retentitve replace before storage and replace in spring.

    Must admit, i probably change my fluids about 3x more often than i should, but due to tracking the 308 it is better to be on the safe side as fluids are cheap, new engine/tranny bits aint.
     
  7. bonneaud

    bonneaud Karting

    May 3, 2004
    84
    #7 bonneaud, Dec 5, 2006
    ...and make sure you inkate the tires to 50 psi to avoid flat spots in the spring (alternatively move the car 3 inches forward every 2-3 weeks) I also add an overdose of leather "feed" or conditionner on the seats which I will buff only in the spring. And finally remove the tools and jack from the trunckas they are very vulnerable to moisture and rust. Have a good night baby!
     

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