Storage and start up

**slikws6** · 08-27-2008, 04:35 AM

I wanted to know if you guys who store your car over long periods of time start it every so often?
I am in the south but mine sits for long periods of time and I feel like it needs to be started at least once a week.

**LS16SPD** · 08-27-2008, 08:42 AM

mine lives in the garage but i try and start it once a week and get it up to temp

**Orcus79** · 08-27-2008, 02:37 PM

Ditto, mine gets stored for the winter in one of those temp garage things and still gets started about once every couple of weeks and run up to temp.

**666ws6** · 08-27-2008, 02:47 PM

Mine is garage kept, and for each winter I have kept the garage just warm enough to not freeze the coolant (I use mostly water to keep it cool so it freezes somewhat easily.) That also allows me to start it twice a month too.

In the summer I drive her each weekend.

**0verkill** · 08-28-2008, 08:32 AM

it is not needed to be started if only for a few months. a battry tender and and some fuel stabild and you will be fine. but if you must start it you want to take it to temp, other wise you will get slug.

**1998 T/A** · 08-28-2008, 08:45 AM

when i stored my 87 Camaro for winters (haven't gotten to store the T/A yet) i ran fuel stabalizer through it and removed the battery cables...started just fine after 5 months of sitting. dunno how it would do on an LS1 but good luck!

**INMY01TA** · 08-28-2008, 08:45 AM

I wouldn't start it unless you're gonna drive it.

**lvbroham1** · 08-30-2008, 06:49 PM

I recently moved to missouri and last winter I stored mine by putting it on jack stands, placing the battery on a trickle, fuel stabilzer, and a plate of baking soda. Started it about every week or so and no problems.

**Sweet Chops** · 09-01-2008, 07:46 AM

Originally Posted by INMY01TA

I wouldn't start it unless you're gonna drive it.

I'm with this guy

No need to start the car.

When I store my car for the winter I drive the the gas station and before I fill her up I put sta-bil in the gas. Dirve the car around town for a while to get the sta-bil mixed up.
When I get home I
Wash the car
Put the storage rims on
Park the car in the corner of the garage
Pull the battery
Put the cover on
The cover doesn't come of until spring.

Ryan

**0verkill** · 09-01-2008, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by lvbroham1

I recently moved to missouri and last winter I stored mine by putting it on jack stands, placing the battery on a trickle, fuel stabilzer, and a plate of baking soda. Started it about every week or so and no problems.

this is just about the perfict set up but agen no need to start it thats y you put the trickle carger and stabilzer in in the 1st place. the jack stands are optial no need for just a few months you should only need them for long stores. but not a bad idea if you have the stands to spare.you do want to drive it for a bit with the stabilzer so it gets up in the rails and all the lines.

**axxdet** · 09-01-2008, 09:27 AM

plug the exhuast and intake so the mice don't get in..had a buddy ruin the motor in his mustang b/c he didn't do this and mice made a home in his intake and he didn't know when started up......new motor.....

**GOR1LA** · 10-12-2008, 07:31 PM

What about oil? Change it before or after storage? I have 1500 on mine.

**0verkill** · 10-13-2008, 02:04 AM

how long are you storing it?

**GOR1LA** · 10-13-2008, 03:36 AM

4 months

**ss~zoso~ss** · 10-13-2008, 04:16 AM

im storing mine for like 7 months and i just changed out oil with 1700 miles on it just to be safe

**Acceleration Junky** · 10-13-2008, 05:43 AM

I would change the oil after storage. Your crankcase is open to atmospheric pressure. If there is dew on the grass, there is dew in your crankcase. Combine that with not getting the OIL up to temp to evaporate the moisture, and you will have contaminated oil after a while.
Im not a big fan of just starting my car to get the coolant up to temp. But if the weather prevents me from driving my car to get everything up to temp, then I will let it idle until my oil gets up to temp. But unnecessary idling bothers me, I would prefer to take my car for a quick ten mile or so drive, at least three times a month, no more than four. I guess thats really not storing my car, but a long story short, I had MAJOR problems from not understanding how to properly maintain my cars before, during, and after "storing" them.

**Detroit Power** · 10-13-2008, 07:44 AM

when i stored my mustang for 11 months, I:

1.) Filled with the proper amount of stabilizer, then topped off the tank using the closest filling station to the storage facility

2.) Pulled the plugs and sprayed WD-40 down in the cylindars liberally

3.) Removed the inlet pipe and sealed the throttle body liberally with tape (so i could see if something got in)

4.) Steel wool in the exhaust tips

5.) Removed the wiper blades so they wouldn't stick to the glass

6.) Covered the car

7.) Removed the battery

8.) Jacked the car so the weight was off the wheels and tires, and there was no contact.

When I returned, I needed a new battery because the old one was shot. I primed the oil pump before ignition, and it started up on the first try. Had zero problems with it as a result.

**thearborbarber** · 10-13-2008, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by 1998 T/A

when i stored my 87 Camaro for winters (haven't gotten to store the T/A yet) i ran fuel stabalizer through it and removed the battery cables...started just fine after 5 months of sitting. dunno how it would do on an LS1 but good luck!

That's what I do with my 1999.

**INMY01TA** · 10-13-2008, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by Acceleration Junky

Your crankcase is open to atmospheric pressure. If there is dew on the grass, there is dew in your crankcase.

Even if it's in the garage?

**4get gto** · 10-13-2008, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by Acceleration Junky

I had MAJOR problems from not understanding how to properly maintain my cars before, during, and after "storing" them.

What were those problems. Everybody would like to know what could develope. Not being awise guy but everybody could form their own opinion.

Me.....I just
Change the oil (sometimes)
Fill the tank and put a fuel stabilzer in it.
Put a battery tender on it.
Wax and cover.
Don't touch for 4 - 5 months.
This is in the basement of the house if it matters.