Winter Storage

[Baker]

Winter Storage... Hmmm!

What is a “must do” before I put the 00 Cooper away for the winter. I’ve decided that I’m not going to take it out after the October run. It will be in it’s usual dry heated garage but may not be out as often… Questions…

How often should I take it out over the winter ( if at all)?

Do I need to change the engine oil before the car is parked up ?

What fuel level should I leave in the tank or should I drain it?

As for the brakes are they fine to leave as they are?

Do I use a cover? And if so what kind would you recommend?

Should I jack up the car and leave it resting on supports/stands?

How can I stop mildew on the leather seats or on interior, or will this not happen?

Can anyone tell me where can I get some desiccant sacks (silicon gel packs) for under the spare tyre area. They are seemingly very good for absorbing any moisture?

Any other suggestions please let me know

Thanks guys

P

[GTM Coupe]

There are a few things you should do if you want the car to stay in its optimum come summer next.

You don't need to take it out if its in a dry place, you should however start the engine and let it warm at least once a month to prevent rust/corrosion building up on the cylinder bores and head. If you just want to park it up and not start it at all you can remove the sparkplugs and spray WD40 into the bores then crank the engine a couple of times, this will protect the internals and will just burn off when you do eventually start the engine.

There is no need to change the oil unless it ready for a service as it won't get worse by not being used.

Try and leave the fuel as low as possible as it will deteriate over the winter.

The brakes should be fine if its in a dry warm place, you can if you want slacken off the rear drums to prevent from sticking. Fronts should be fine.

If its inside then it up to you as it will only be dust you're protecting it from, if outside then yes, but make sure its a breathable one.

It does pay to lift the car off the ground as the wheels will loose pressure over the storage period and will cause side wall damage if left low.

To stop mildew make sure you leave a window open in the car so air can circulate.

Disconnect the battery and put it on a trickle charge to keep it goo for the storage period.

[The Marcos Graveyard]

WZD had a post about a group buy of car covers a week or two ago that might be of interest to you.

[Mini Ha Ha]

I learned the hard way not alone to start the engine but also to press the clutch and engage the gears during the lay up. In our case the clutch withdrawal seized up so we could not press the pedal to select gears. I mentioned this before on the forum, you should try to get some oil down to the pins on the operating arm to stop them rusting up, and make sure to use the clutch during the lay up period.

This is a separate issue to the clutch disc rusting to the flywheel.

I take the point about jacking the car up to save the tyres, however I have only once had trouble with tyre flatting, and in that case the car was not moved for over 5 years, so I deserved it.

I summary I think it is better to leave it on its wheels, and move it up and down even a small amount under its own power every month when it is started up.

[woody]

Leave the handbrake off when parked up,park in gear.
Camping/caravan shops do an item for dehumidiving caravans during the winter.You put crystals into a container which absorb the moister in the air,I use one regularly in my car during winter.

[Billy]

I have a dehumidifer in the garage. you'd be surprised how much moisture can be in the air.

Billy

[The Marcos Graveyard]

Thats probably just your sweat Billy.

[Billy]

Thats probably just your sweat Billy.

TMG, I wish it was. I badly need to get cracking on the Hornet.

[The Marcos Graveyard]

You must be "panting" for some other reason so

[kerryminigringo]

You can get a mix to put in the petrol to stop it going off.This one of them.
http://www.frost.co.uk/item_Detail.asp? ... &subCatID=

[woody]

You won't believe what Aldi got this Sunday
http://www.aldi.ie/ie/html/offers/2867_7259.htm

[The Marcos Graveyard]

They should do the trick

[Billy]

I assume you could put one of these inside a car whether it's stored indoors or out. There's nothing worse than putting a wet car into a garage and the windows all steamed up.

[Billy]

I bought 3 of the Aldi dehumidifers today for E6.99 each.

Good call Woody.

[mmurfee]

these work great i use one just like these in aldi every winter in my camper, some of you may remember it from parsons green and if they work in something this size they will be great in a mini. Refills are cheap and can be got in most camping/caravan shops.

[Baker]

I’ve bought 2 of the dehumidifiers in Aldi today. One for the boot and one for the interior of the car

Thanks for all the tips guys... Finding them very useful