Winter storage
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Winter storage
Hey Guys,
My 88 911 is going away for the winter (although its 70 degrees right now in Boston, WTF right?)
Anyways, we are putting it in a secure garage. The garage is not air tight and not climate controlled, but it will be better than out in the weather or even the garage at my house (Boxster will live in that and get occasional use over the winter anyways).
So far my plans are the following:
1) Dryer sheets in the cabin, idk how I will lay them out or just have an open box or 2 in there, but I hear that keep rodents away.
2) Mesh over the intake in the engine bay
3) Steel wool in the exhaust tips
4) I have a spare set of rims with crap old rubber on them. I plan on swapping over in the garage and leaving my good set of rims and tires next to the car (avoid flat spots)
5) Full tank of gas and put some fuel stabilizer in the tank.
6) Car cover (a good one)
I wont be accessing the car and it will be sitting for approximately mid November to Early May, maybe a little earlier, maybe later.
Did I miss anything or anyone have other suggestions?
My 88 911 is going away for the winter (although its 70 degrees right now in Boston, WTF right?)
Anyways, we are putting it in a secure garage. The garage is not air tight and not climate controlled, but it will be better than out in the weather or even the garage at my house (Boxster will live in that and get occasional use over the winter anyways).
So far my plans are the following:
1) Dryer sheets in the cabin, idk how I will lay them out or just have an open box or 2 in there, but I hear that keep rodents away.
2) Mesh over the intake in the engine bay
3) Steel wool in the exhaust tips
4) I have a spare set of rims with crap old rubber on them. I plan on swapping over in the garage and leaving my good set of rims and tires next to the car (avoid flat spots)
5) Full tank of gas and put some fuel stabilizer in the tank.
6) Car cover (a good one)
I wont be accessing the car and it will be sitting for approximately mid November to Early May, maybe a little earlier, maybe later.
Did I miss anything or anyone have other suggestions?
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 323
Likes: 0
From: Naples, Florida
I like to remove the batteries on any car. I do it to keep track of the corrosion in the battery tray or box. I just think of it as an annual maintenance thing. In other words it's not so much for the battery as it is for the sheet metal that holds the battery in place.
Here's an article I wrote about storage. Enjoy.
Richard Newton
Here's an article I wrote about storage. Enjoy.
Richard Newton
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 0
From: Shawsheen River Basin
I like to remove the batteries on any car. I do it to keep track of the corrosion in the battery tray or box. I just think of it as an annual maintenance thing. In other words it's not so much for the battery as it is for the sheet metal that holds the battery in place.
Here's an article I wrote about storage. Enjoy.
Richard Newton
Here's an article I wrote about storage. Enjoy.
Richard Newton
On edit: re-read your post and it sounds like you have limited garage space at the house. Before we added a third bay, I rented a bay at a self storage. I would sometimes take the daily driver there and swap for a few days when the weather was nice. Here's hoping we don't have a winter like last.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 5
From: Hampshire
I would add the following;
1 - detail the car inside & out before storage & wash the cover (inside face) to avoid any particles getting ingrained - a piece of coal in a tin tray on floor is good too.
2 - Gummi Pflege on all rubber & seals - ie doors & bonnet & rear lid rubber seals avoids dry rubber.
3 - Over inflate the tyres
4 - Fresh oil & new filter
5 - if you doing this every year then a battery cut-off switch is a good addition.
1 - detail the car inside & out before storage & wash the cover (inside face) to avoid any particles getting ingrained - a piece of coal in a tin tray on floor is good too.
2 - Gummi Pflege on all rubber & seals - ie doors & bonnet & rear lid rubber seals avoids dry rubber.
3 - Over inflate the tyres
4 - Fresh oil & new filter
5 - if you doing this every year then a battery cut-off switch is a good addition.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 323
Likes: 0
From: Naples, Florida
An interesting point on my car - a 1973 911. It was originally sold in Columbus Ohio. It then moved to NJ and then to PA. Until 1997 it was driven in snow and ice. That's when I moved to Florida.
The car has no rust as a result of winter driving. I had serious rust from a leaking rear window seal. Also, the side windows. All of the ugly details are here.
My point is that I could have stored the car away in the winter and the rust still would have happened. I actually caused the problem by washing the car. Washing the car allowed water to leak into the rear seat area.
Now you can see why I'm not fanatical about putting the car away in the winter. It might also have something to do with the fact I know live in Florida as well.
Richard Newton
The car has no rust as a result of winter driving. I had serious rust from a leaking rear window seal. Also, the side windows. All of the ugly details are here.
My point is that I could have stored the car away in the winter and the rust still would have happened. I actually caused the problem by washing the car. Washing the car allowed water to leak into the rear seat area.
Now you can see why I'm not fanatical about putting the car away in the winter. It might also have something to do with the fact I know live in Florida as well.
Richard Newton
