Winter Lay-Up

[VTMopar]

The Leaf Peepers are here now and the Snow Bunnies will be here as soon.   So, my first winter with my Challenger since it was rehabed.    I will be leaving it in a friends garage (unheated, cement floor) who is heading south for the winter.   

So.... What advice do you pros have for me as far as storage?     My plan is not to run it until next spring, although I certainly can give it a start and run it periodically throughout the winter (if that is suggested).   All advice welcome!   

Vermont MOPAR

[Devil]

1) Put stable in gas
2) Put car on jack stands, while not really needed with today's tires, having a vehicle with bias plys sit in one spot could cause a flat spot.
3) Do an oil change, I just like to have fresh oil in there, why, I don't know.  I also put a little oil down each cylinder.
4) Put charcoal in open plastic containers throughout the vehicle, this will absorb moisture and prevent mildew.
5) Get a cover for the vehicle, they are fairly cheap nowadays for a decent one, just something to keep the dust off of it.

Tha

[4Cruizn]

To add to what Devil has said . . put either moth balls or dryer sheets in the car for the rodents, loosen the belt to take the tention off of them and I always fog the engine and then wait until the spring before I even think of starting it again. 

[6packCuda]

Sorry to butt in here, but what do you mean by "fog the engine"?

[4Cruizn]

Fogging the engine is when you run the engine and shoot fogging oil into the carb.  Usually for about 20 or 30 seconds and then shut it off.  The fogging oil then coats everything inside with a nice coat of oil.  You should be able to pick up a can at your local auto part.   

[GoodysGotaCuda]

Fogging the engine is when you run the engine and shoot fogging oil into the carb.  Usually for about 20 or 30 seconds and then shut it off.  The fogging oil then coats everything inside with a nice coat of oil.  You should be able to pick up a can at your local auto part.  

That sounds like a good idea there too. When i leave mine to sit, ill drain the carb out, stable the gas, may go ahead and loosen up the rockers to keep any moisture/dirt/crap from getting inside the engine through the exhaust or what have you.

[6packCuda]

may go ahead and loosen up the rockers to keep any moisture/dirt/crap from getting inside the engine through the exhaust or what have you.

Wouldn't it be easier to just stick a rag or something in the tail pipes?

[jeryst]

I just park my cars when it's time, and don't do anything other than disconnect the battery, check the anti-freeze, and throw a package of D-Con on the floor. When spring comes, they always start right up, and run fine. Then I put in some fresh gas and give them a bath. Been doing that for 35 years, and have never had any type of problem.

[hooD]

-Top off gas tank and use STABLE gas stabilizer...this prevent moisture from condensating in tank and rusting it out

-Store battery in basement or somewhere safe in house

-Cover the cement floor under your car with plastic or visqueen or anything that will prevent moisture from seeping upwards from the floor...important to me anyway

-Block up the tires so they aren't on the ground....I have biased ply tires so I can get flat spots if I don't....You make the call on this one

-Cover the car with a quality cloth cover...only after you have washed it down and dried it thoroughly

-Changing your oil is your call...I would if it is dirty

-Fog the engine like others have said....I never have, but I may do so this time around....this is your call again

-Combine any other suggestions posted from others that sound good to you

-Restart your car when you're ready to take it back out in the spring/summer

-Keep pictures handy of your car when you start having withdrawal symptoms during the winter....better know as mopar porn   

[RDF]

That sounds like a good idea there too. When i leave mine to sit, ill drain the carb out, stable the gas, may go ahead and loosen up the rockers to keep any moisture/dirt/crap from getting inside the engine through the exhaust or what have you.

 

You had to let your car sit?  Even when you were in AZ?

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Just keep drivin' it. Mine has met snow already.  OK, only when my daily driver was in the shop, but still I get mine out every few weeks in the winter when the roads don't look so salty.

  Mike

[BIGSHCLUNK]

VM I did a post on winter storage last year with tons of good tips. Do a little diggin' it's back there somewhere!   

[Moparal]

I just park my cars when it's time, and don't do anything other than disconnect the battery, check the anti-freeze, and throw a package of D-Con on the floor. When spring comes, they always start right up, and run fine. Then I put in some fresh gas and give them a bath. Been doing that for 35 years, and have never had any type of problem.

If I even ever consider parking mine for winters

[jeryst]

 

A couple of years ago, I bought a 68 Road Runner that sat behind a garage for 25 years (That's PA winters). I dragged it home. Put in fresh gas, and a new battery, and it started right up after 25 years of "outside storage". Same plugs, points, wires, cap, everything. Didn't smoke, didn't make any engine noise. Sounded beautiful and ran unbelievable. Dragged home a 59 Fury that sat for 12 years. Same thing. And those aren't the only ones.

You can spend all that time and money if you want to, but they don't need it just for a couple months storage. I agree that it doesn't hurt, but mostly, all it does is make you feel better. Mopars drivetrains are tough, and built to last.  

[GoodysGotaCuda]

You had to let your car sit?  Even when you were in AZ?

"when i leave mine to sit". I can't take it when i go to Vegas again right away :/. So it'll sit more than a few good months.