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nybugguy
Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2008
Posts: 117
Location: Upstate New York
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 Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 2:53 pm Post subject: Checklist for winter storage... |
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| Who has a checklist for storing a fiberglass buggy or any vw for that matter for a long cold winter.I live in upstate new york about 60 miles south of syracuse and we generally get some brutal winters.I have questions on fuel stabilizers(Are they recommended)? Should the vehicle be blocked up off the wheels? Anyone with a good list of (do's & don'ts) for cold climate storage would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and praying for an indian summer(wishful thinking?) |
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LouisB
Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2004
Posts: 1027
Location: Tallahassee, FL
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| Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 5:02 pm Post subject: |
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Well, during our three weeks of sub-freezing weather here in Florida I usually like a nice warm blanket. But that doesn't come until January so I have a little time. 
--louis
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Louis Brooks
'67 Manx II
Old people at weddings always poke me and say "Your next." So, I started doing the same to them at funerals. |
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nybugguy
Samba Member
Joined: September 21, 2008
Posts: 117
Location: Upstate New York
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| Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 6:12 pm Post subject: |
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| That's funny but I am serious....we all can't live in the south...just like to visit whenever I can....like around Dec,Jan,Feb, |
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plasticman1432
Samba Member
Joined: January 19, 2004
Posts: 1180
Location: Nosebleed seats, NY
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| Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:10 pm Post subject: |
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Being from upstate NY as well(I'm near Saratoga), maybe I can help.
I run stabilizer in my Manx, and I add it before the 'put away day,' to make sure it gets into the lines/carb(s), etc, rather than just in the tank.
My attached garage doesn't get full heat, so I remove the battery and store it on a shelf under my basement workbench. I jack the buggy up and put it on stands to prevent flat-spotting the tires. A few dryer sheets placed in the interior help keep it from smelling musty when I unzip the curtains come spring time.
I'm usually lazy about cleaning the buggy before it gets too cold, so I don't cover it in the garage; I've been told by many folks that covering a dirty car is very bad. I do make sure it gets a full bath when the weather breaks, however.
Here he is during the first winter at our house(2004-5):
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Organized people are just too lazy to look for stuff
'68 Meyers Manx: M1689D815E
http://public.fotki.com/VWDave/ |
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deezal
Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2008
Posts: 138
Location: pike county
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| Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:04 pm Post subject: |
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I try to drive mine, even if its for short trips. I live in Northeast Pa.
Deezal |
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LouisB
Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2004
Posts: 1027
Location: Tallahassee, FL
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| Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 4:14 am Post subject: |
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| deezal wrote: |
I try to drive mine, even if its for short trips. I live in Northeast Pa.
Deezal |
WTH is that white stuff? 
Seriously though, if you have anything other than a stock engine you might consider loosening the rocker arms up some so that the springs don't have any tension. (If your not going to run the car for a long time that is.) Just remember to reset them before going for that first spring drive. When you do run it for the first time, you might consider getting the oil pressure up before firing it off as well. Put the battery on a trickle charger. And maybe use some sort of anti critter device to make sure nothing takes up residence while its in storage.
--louis
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Louis Brooks
'67 Manx II
Old people at weddings always poke me and say "Your next." So, I started doing the same to them at funerals. |
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vw (o\!/o) nut
Samba Member
Joined: January 02, 2006
Posts: 855
Location: Wisconsin - Where the men are men and the sheep are nervous.
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| Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 4:58 am Post subject: |
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Most tire manufacurures recommend over-inflating (40 psi) your tires when stored.
If you have the vehicle on stands, great. If not, they recommend moving the car a foot or so every few weeks.
I agree with using fuel stabilizer and dryer sheets.
I cover my cars (clean or not) to keep additional dust from collecting.
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"Curiosity killed the cat, but for a while I was a prime suspect." |
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lostinbaja
Samba Member
Joined: December 19, 2004
Posts: 4036
Location: Frankfort, Illinois
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| Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 5:01 am Post subject: |
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I pull the battery and put it on a battery maintaner and I pull the seat covers off the fiberglass shells and store them in the basement.
I have been using the same method for many years and have never had a problem.
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If it's being towed, it must be a trailer!
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RIP Morgan
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LouisB
Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2004
Posts: 1027
Location: Tallahassee, FL
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| Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 5:50 am Post subject: |
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| vw (o\!/o) nut wrote: |
I cover my cars (clean or not) to keep additional dust from collecting. |
BTW, if you have cats, dont let them in the garage with the car covered. I knew a guy who's cat got in through the window of his restored classic car and couldn't figure out how to get out with the cover on. It shredded the interior. (not that there is much interior on most buggies)
--louis
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Louis Brooks
'67 Manx II
Old people at weddings always poke me and say "Your next." So, I started doing the same to them at funerals. |
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CrashedAgain
Samba Member
Joined: June 06, 2007
Posts: 328
Location: Saskatchewan Canada
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| Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 1:53 pm Post subject: Re: Checklist for winter storage... |
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| nybugguy wrote: |
| Who has a checklist for storing a fiberglass buggy or any vw for that matter for a long cold winter.I live in upstate new york about 60 miles south of syracuse and we generally get some brutal winters. |
"Brutal" doesn't begin to describe our winters here in Saskatchewan, Canada but even here it's not really necessary to do a whole lot for winter storage.
The only thing on a bug that will freeze is the battery so remove it or make sure it is kept charged.
Check for things stored in the car that may freeze...I'm not sure if the "Fix-a-flat" can is OK to store below freezing but it will make one hell of a mess if it decides to leak!
Tires may go flat, a bead seal that is good in the summer may leak when it gets cold so either check them periodically or take the weight off the tires....if the air leaks out it won't hurt the tire unless it is sitting squished with the weight of the car on it.
Don't drain the gas tank or the carb....far better to keep the fuel system full so gaskets etc don't dry out. Fuel stabilizers are common but personally I've never used them and never had a problem.
Shouldn't have any problems with uphostery, the summer sun UV is probably worse for the vinyl than cold temps.
So really it's just park it & check the tires & battery occasionally. |
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