Winterization

[supplyguy]

Been searching but can't find a thread here with perhaps a winterization check list. Have found some generic ones on other non-Fiat web sites but wondering if anyone has something comprehensive and tailored for our cars? My first winter with my Fiat and getting ready to put her to bed soon.

[Danno]

You know, I don't think I've seen one. It's a good idea, perhaps you can be the guy to do it.

Here's my checklist:
(1) Push Heater lever forward
(2) Don Leather gloves

[JEEPER]

I have a 79 that I bought new. It now has 21,000 miles on it. I fill the gas tank and pour Blaster into the carb very slow until it smokes like he!! ,then dump a bunch in till it dies. I would advise a sheet of plastic under it as a vapor barrier. Been doing that for 33 years and no issues.

[4uall]

http://suite101.com/article/how-to-prep ... ge-a388179

[RRoller123]

I store it on blocks, (so the wheels are off the ground but suspension not hanging) and put some fuel stabilizer in the tank. Then go over and start it up once a week and let it come up to temperature, and run it through the gears, carefully.

[donm]

The linked article above says to leave the gas tank a quarter full but I was always told to leave the tank near full (with some Stabil added) to prevent condendsation on the inside of the tank.

[4uall]

I saw that as well

[Danno]

The linked article above says to leave the gas tank a quarter full but I was always told to leave the tank near full (with some Stabil added) to prevent condendsation on the inside of the tank.

I'm with you, but you'll hear both sides of it. Some people say Stabil and full (for the reason you state) and others will say to fill it when you first bring it out of storage to mix a bunch of fresh with the stale-ish fuel. For my antique tractor I store it with minimal fuel because it gets run so infrequently anymore that if i left it with a full tank of fuel (stabil or not) it would all have to be drained to get going again anyway. So the startup procedure for it is to add a bunch of fresh fuel and then proceed.

[4uall]

Either or

http://www.wikihow.com/Store-a-Car

http://www.partsource.ca/doityourself/H ... ehicle.asp

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-corv ... -full.html

[RRoller123]

I would think that if it is only stored for 3-4 months, then full tank would make more sense.

[Danno]

I would think that if it is only stored for 3-4 months, then full tank would make more sense.

yeah, me too.

[4uall]

IMO, especially since most gas now contains ethanol (which is known to absorb water), I'd want as little air space in the tanks as possible to minimize any source of moisture.

As to gas getting stale, I've stored vehicles with and without stabilizer over the winter (5 months). Contrary to what I have read elsewhere, stating that gas can become stale after 1 month, I haven't had issues either way, but I wouldn't go more that 5-6 months without treating it. One thing I do notice whenever I treat the gas is the engines run sluggishly on that fuel - so it may not go 'bad' in the sense that it forms varnish or whatever else stale fuel does, but the treated stuff runs like crap for me. I just work through as much of it as possible in the spring and just fill up on fresh gas, it will be good as new.

I say do what makes you happy

[RRoller123]

Funny that my lawn mowers run on untreated gas and the cans only get filled maybe once a year. They are not very sensitive engines, though! Could probably run on kerosene.

[georgeramos]

I say dont "put them away" at all but keep them garaged and drive them on dry days. (top down) wear hats, gloves, scarves, heck even cool goggles but drive them once every few weeks or so and they willkeepjust fine through all seasons. Our weather here in Portland is famously wet all winter (its started already) but there are always dry days nestled in there and when they hit im tearing around the neighborhood.

[4uall]

http://www.globallistics.com/spidersweb ... oudgb.html