Winter storage
11-21-2014, 09:57 PM
#1
Advanced
Thread Starter
Winter storage
Just bought my 08 and keep it garaged for winter at my house. Is there anything special that needs to be done but starting it once a week?
Thx
Thx
11-21-2014, 10:07 PM
#3
Le Mans Master
Living in south Florida, I am no expert on storage since it's something I never need to do.
However, it seems to me if I was going to store a 'vette for 5 months, I would...
1) Change the oil before I stored it, so that when I started it perhaps once or twice during the winter months, there would be clean oil for those first critical revs.
2) I would run it once or twice during the winter long enough for it to reach operating temp. before shut down.
3) I'd keep a battery tender hooked up all winter to maintain the battery.
4) Keep the mice out of it....that's about it.
Good luck!
However, it seems to me if I was going to store a 'vette for 5 months, I would...
1) Change the oil before I stored it, so that when I started it perhaps once or twice during the winter months, there would be clean oil for those first critical revs.
2) I would run it once or twice during the winter long enough for it to reach operating temp. before shut down.
3) I'd keep a battery tender hooked up all winter to maintain the battery.
4) Keep the mice out of it....that's about it.
Good luck!
11-21-2014, 10:10 PM
#4
Race Director
Do not start it once a week....
Plug it in to a tender, don't cover it so you can look at it all the time when taking the trash out, fill the tires to 38-40 psi, Stabil it in the gas and wait for spring. It's all I do...
Plug it in to a tender, don't cover it so you can look at it all the time when taking the trash out, fill the tires to 38-40 psi, Stabil it in the gas and wait for spring. It's all I do...
11-21-2014, 10:29 PM
#5
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Thread Starter
11-21-2014, 10:32 PM
#6
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Thread Starter
Thanks!!
Living in south Florida, I am no expert on storage since it's something I never need to do.
However, it seems to me if I was going to store a 'vette for 5 months, I would...
1) Change the oil before I stored it, so that when I started it perhaps once or twice during the winter months, there would be clean oil for those first critical revs.
2) I would run it once or twice during the winter long enough for it to reach operating temp. before shut down.
3) I'd keep a battery tender hooked up all winter to maintain the battery.
4) Keep the mice out of it....that's about it.
Good luck!
However, it seems to me if I was going to store a 'vette for 5 months, I would...
1) Change the oil before I stored it, so that when I started it perhaps once or twice during the winter months, there would be clean oil for those first critical revs.
2) I would run it once or twice during the winter long enough for it to reach operating temp. before shut down.
3) I'd keep a battery tender hooked up all winter to maintain the battery.
4) Keep the mice out of it....that's about it.
Good luck!
11-21-2014, 11:16 PM
#7
Drifting
BUT I've never put Stabil in the tank (going on 21 years), but I do fill the tank and get a oil change. Notice "battery tender" not "trickle charger". Oh, and I do cover it, but that's your choice. Plus, I usually take it out once per month, if good weather, and drive it.
11-21-2014, 11:31 PM
#8
Race Director
I learned that from my friend Randy as I did not know this either.
11-22-2014, 05:32 AM
#10
Race Director
Another vote for not starting it, you do more harm than good when you do this. I also don't bother with Stabil, as gas isn't going to go bad in just one season. If the car was sitting longer than six months I'd do it, but otherwise it's money wasted, IMO. I've never used it and never had an issue. Definitely hook up a battery tender! I also like to have my tires at about 40psi, mainly in case one of them has a slow leak.
11-22-2014, 08:46 AM
#11
Race Director
Clean inside and out
Fill gas tank (I add Sta-Bil)
Pump tires to 40 lbs.
Connect battery maintainer.
Put cover on until Spring.
No starting.
Been doing it this way for many years.
Fill gas tank (I add Sta-Bil)
Pump tires to 40 lbs.
Connect battery maintainer.
Put cover on until Spring.
No starting.
Been doing it this way for many years.
11-22-2014, 09:49 AM
#14
11-22-2014, 10:15 AM
#16
Drifting
Member Since: Jul 2003
Location: West of Burlington, Ontario Canada
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As Bruze says! Can of worms BUT, if I may add some information. When you shut the engine off you have four valve springs completely depressed and four partially depressed. As valve springs can and will retain a memory, it's not a good idea to leave an engine for a long period of time (at least not one in your Corvette) in one position without starting it (or cranking it) to move the springs and keep the valve guides free. There used to be a valid point where starting an engine several times over the winter would build up moisture from condensation and cause an acidic reaction with the oil causing bearing damage but the newer synthetics don't have this problem. There are many opinions on long term storage but not starting or cranking the engine (even by hand) can cause valve spring, valve guide and piston ring issues. This is more important for piston ring issues If you live in an area where there are extreme temperature swings in an unheated garage. All I do is change the oil, fill it with a NON ETHANOL fuel (if available), if not use a fuel stabilizer for ethanol fuels, park it on four small pieces of plywood to keep the tires off the bare concrete (concrete absorbs moisture) and plug in the battery tender. I start it once every four to five weeks and bring it to running temperature and listen to the CD player for about 30 to 40 minutes. As an added feature this also discourages long term critter residence.
Just sayin.
Just sayin.
11-22-2014, 11:32 AM
#17
Burning Brakes
Spot on!
One additional item, I put Race Ramps Flat Stoppers under the tires for isolation from the concrete.
Last edited by GSRANDY; 11-22-2014 at 11:35 AM.
11-22-2014, 11:33 AM
#18
Race Director
As Bruze says! Can of worms BUT, if I may add some information. When you shut the engine off you have four valve springs completely depressed and four partially depressed. As valve springs can and will retain a memory, it's not a good idea to leave an engine for a long period of time (at least not one in your Corvette) in one position without starting it (or cranking it) to move the springs and keep the valve guides free.
11-22-2014, 12:36 PM
#19
Former Vendor
Member Since: Oct 2010
Location: Philadelphia PA
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Black Friday Race Ramps special
I have a Black Friday special on Race Ramps Flatstoppers through the end of November.
http://www.reverselogic.us/shop.html...tegory=7090545
This link will work until 30-Nov-2014.
http://www.reverselogic.us/shop.html...tegory=7090545
This link will work until 30-Nov-2014.
11-22-2014, 02:36 PM
#20
Team Owner
Member Since: Mar 2004
Location: Oklahoma City OK
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C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I am so glad that we really don't need to store them here.