carbonRX

car has been sitting in a pile of snow all winter because i had no place to store it.
what could have happened to it?
it ran before it snowed with no problems other than some minor electrical issues.
how bad is this for a car?

texFCturboII

iTrader: (17)

I think ANY place would be a far better place to store a car other than under a pile of snow!!!! I mean, surely it snows ***** up in wisconsin, but maybe you should've consider putting a tarp over it or something? Does it even try to start? More details are needed if you want anyone to help you.

carbonRX

more details? pretty self explanatory...
1.how bad is this for a car
2. any possible issues i might have when this frozen hell melts?
Car is COMPLETELY covered, cant even see the mirrors. its also been as cold as -50 here.

btw i actually DID buy a tarp. but unfortunataly we got about a foot dropped on us before i put it on. like zero snow to 12" in a night.

NJGreenBudd

iTrader: (1)

So have you tried to start the car recently?

Does it make noise when your turn the key?

What exactly do you need to know? I mean yeah it's bad if your car won't start, but if you clean the snow off and it fires up your fine. Snow is frozen water, water can be dangerous to cars if it gets in certain places.

Or your just posting to let us know it's covered in snow? This is the tech section, so you might want to have a technical question in mind before posting. Take your time and think about what you need to ask.

RRTEC

iTrader: (13)

Well I think that a snowbank is a prettygood place to store a car... It worked for the cavemen, they are preserved well in snow/ice... If it wasn't for the rust factor that is.......

carbonRX

well i cant really get in the car without shoveling it out, but i think that would be pointless because the weather guys keep predicting 15" every other day.

i don't have a specific question just a general question, and this is not tech section its 2nd gen specific which this is. if your trying to say im posting in the wrong section then your just being an *** because my post count is too low for you to respect me.

so again ill restate my question. if anyone has had experience with this please tell me how your car turned out.

are there any problems that i could be possibly dealing with when i do have to go start the car? as far as i know the seals and moldings were in good condition, but you never know with water sitting on them and freezing and expanding/contracting when it melts and refreezes.

ill try and get pics up for those who want to look at a snowbank. you really cant even see the shape of a 7...

1987_Gxl

well if its still burried, and you haven't tried to start it... we don't know if there will be any problem.
but any snow that has melted, can get water into some areas where it should not be.
my suggestion would be to take the time to dig the car out and cover it or move it into the garage, dry it out and then see if there is a problem.

Thanks

CyberPitz

If it ran prior to getting buried, as long as the car is sufficiently dried out, should be 100% fine. Might try to change the oil/coolant/etc just to be sure.

alexdimen

iTrader: (13)

Conventional oil doesn't like to be stored in in cold temps for extended periods. Waxes can form.

The things I'd be worried about are the battery and oil. Pretty easy fixes for both. Drain oil and charge/replace batt.

Stanello

iTrader: (1)

It'll be fine.

daviddeep

iTrader: (4)

A change of fluids and a new battery will probably take care of any problems you might have. Condensation could form in the brake fluid; as was mentioned the oil could begin to break down and should probably be replaced before driving the car; the gas will probably have moisture in it just because it's been sitting outdoors so long. Might be worth at least adding some fuel stabilizer if you can get to the gas cap.

NJGreenBudd

iTrader: (1)

It'll be fine, maybe a bit freezer burnt but....all I was getting at is that we need specific questions to give you good answers, as in " I tried to start my car after it sat in a snow bank and all it does it does is make a clicking sound when I turn the key....." other wise we are all just speculating about something which has yet to happen.

I don't think your door seals or moulding should be any worse for the wear after a few weeks of winter, i have had RX7 outside for years and they hold up okay. I actually have some pics of my GXL under like 24" of snow....

rotorhead_izzy

iTrader: (36)

your car should be fine. mine slept outside all winter long, and i got her started this weekend, after i charged the battery. btw, my car was covered with snow too.

ericgrau

iTrader: (1)

www.aaroncake.net has a guide for storage and removal from storage. But I imagine it shouldn't be too bad as long as you change the oil and use low viscosity oil. And charge the battery.

firzen

iTrader: (7)

Is the weather there so bad you can't even go out to see the car? How do you go to work/school then?

rotorhead_izzy

iTrader: (36)

^^^he's pry got another car or truck to drive around in the winter. and yes the weather has been pretty bad here in wisconsin.

Aaron Cake

iTrader: (1)

Letting a car sit anywhere for a few months without proper storage is never good.

Before you try to start it again, you will probably want to follow some of the procedures here:
http://www.aaroncake.net/rx-7/unstore.htm

carbonRX

i have a winter beater.
anyways you guys pretty much answered my question/s so ty.

only thing that would suck is that i just changed my oil before it snowed, with full synthetic royal purple 10w 30 and that would be lame if it went bad.

alexdimen

iTrader: (13)

Conventional oils are the only ones I've heard of and personally seen waxes form in when stored outside in the cold. If it's synth you should be fine except for the water condensation.