Winter Storage Preparation

[Polecat]

I'm a new owner of a low mileage 87 Grand National and I'm looking for a little assistance. I'm taking delievery of the car this week. It's being transported by train and will need to go into winter storage upon arrival. The car was part of an estate and I purchased it from the son of the original owner who really new very little about the past maintenance history of the car. It has 33,000 miles on it and is all original except for the tires and a three year old paint job. The car came from Eastern Canada which is famous for salt on the roads. He assures me that the car has never touched the snow but obviously during delievery to me it will be in contact with some minor road spray.

Pictures that I received before purchase show the exhaust to have rust on it, but his son said it only discolouration and there is also minor surface rust on the fire wall.

Any good advice on winter storage?

I'm thinking of having a good cleaning of the exterior and a possible waxing before storage. This is my first car of this type and all of our family cars are undercoated and rust protected. Is this a good idea or will it harm the future value of the car or effect the possibility of entering it into car shows.

I was unsuccessful in trying to attach some photos of the car.

 

[79TurboCutlass]

I wouldn't undercoat it, since it will not be driven in the salt. For storage- change the oil, put Stabil in the gas, keep the battery charged with some sort of battery tender. Also if the garage is climate controlled you're good to go, if not a fan to circulate air is a good idea to cut down on moisture from the temp changes of the weather.

 

[BRAD_PADGETT]

I wouldn't undercoat it, since it will not be driven in the salt. For storage- change the oil, put Stabil in the gas, keep the battery charged with some sort of battery tender. Also if the garage is climate controlled you're good to go, if not a fan to circulate air is a good idea to cut down on moisture from the temp changes of the weather.

X2 Brad

 

[Renthorin]

Mouse traps alllll around it

I leave my windows cracked a hair too.

Car cover?

 

[Polecat]

Thanks for the information guys. You got me curious when you said to put stabil in the gas. Is it best to store the car with fuel tank near empty? I was thinking that it might be best to store it as close to full as possible as this should be less room for condensation. I don't think I can put a trickle charger on it so I guess I should either pull the battery or disconnect.

 

[VINCE86GN]

I'M About To Put My Buick GS-455 In Storage. I Always Fill The Tank With Fresh Gas And Gas Stablizer. I Also Put Jackstands Under The Front And Rear Suspension To Take The Weight Off The Tires....and Also Put A Battery Tender For The Battery..i Rent A Garage For The Winter And Before The Buick Goes In I Put A Large Plastic Down And A Carpet On Top To Kept The Moisture Off The Car. Then I Put A Large Metal Pan Under The Trans Because It Could Lose Some Trans Oil, It Happen A Few Times...then I Cover It With Two Car Covers . I Been Doing This To My GS FOR The Last 25 Years..and Never Had A Problem......good Luck With Your GN

 

[rodman99999]

I was thinking that it might be best to store it as close to full as possible as this should be less room for condensation. QUOTE]

You're right about the full tank avoiding condensation(so fill it). The worst that can happen if you pull the battery, is you'll have to re-learn the computer next time it's driven(takes about 15 minutes of driving around town). Put the car up on jackstands as suggested too. The tires WILL take a set if sitting in one spot too long. I had that happen to a set of Goodyear Eagle F1's. That car sat for two years though.

 

[DIAZ 87]

Any one have any pictures for one can see? I personally jack the car up to have it on floor jacks,change the oil and fill it with gas.As for the battery i just leave it alone.I only start the car once a month if it is below 0 to let it warm up for 20 minutes or so.For the most part my garage does'nt get lower than 20 degrees,which for chicago is'nt that bad

 

[86george]

The only thing i could add to the other suggestions would be to make sure the antifreeze is up to parr for the low temps in your area and you might want to put a good rubber protectant on the tires and under hood hoses,wires and plastic parts you see under there.I like to spray it on and not bother to wipe it off .Next spring all those parts will shine like new.If you have to worry about rodents and want to use poison bait then place the bait away from the car so it lures them away so they can die away from the car.Good luck and enjoy the car.

 

[TURBOV8R]

I have to agree,put at least a half tank of gas in it add stabil and run it through the system,bout 4 runs 'round the block should do it.If you leaving him in the garage,check out a marine store,I've got a solar trickle charger for my boat that I leave hooked up throughout the season,and press it into service in the winter on the car.On mine,he's situated near a window where the cell can gather sunlight 85% of the day.
Also if you don't plan on starting it for a few months may want to consider fogging the motor till it stalls.Keeps the cylinders and all "the could possibly get surface rust parts" lubed and protected.Word of warning,if you go that route push the car away from the house and most living creatures,when you first fire it the smoke that sometimes billows out is unreal
x2 for the mouse traps!found out the hard way there was a grommet on the passenger side door post that was missing.

 

[Silver Fox]

Here is an article from Popular Mechanics about storing your car for the winter:

Saturday Mechanic: Storing Your Car - Popular Mechanics

Rob