Hey all!!

I will be putting my car away for the winter today, with my past cars (non-rotaries) ive always started the car at least once a month or so, let it get to full temp then turn it off.

Is this OK to do with a rotary vehicle or is it best to just set it and forget it until spring?

My main concern is that the car has been running rich all year so i didnt want it to carbon lock on me come spring

Cam

 

The general consensus on this forum is to leave it be. However there is some preparation you should do. Make sure the car is clean. Fill up your gas tank and add some stabil. This keeps you from getting water in it from temp fluctuation. Make sure your oil is fresh as well. I believe Stabil makes a product to add to your oil for storage as well. I used Marvel Mystery oil last year. I would also recommend getting a battery maintainer. You can either leave the battery in the car or take it out to put it on the maintainer. I opted to take mine out last year. With all that said I still started my car a couple times last year and let it run until it got up to operating temp. I also worked the trans through all the gears, and even pulled if forward and back a few times just to operate the drive train. I hope this info helps. I don't have to worry about storage this year as I just moved to Phoenix

 

Yea being in a warmer climate would be much nicer! Having only 5 months a year that the car can be on the roads is a little depressing =(

Thanks for the input!

 

If you start the car let it go awhile after it hits operating temp. The heating/cooling cycle is what introduces moisture into the oil and you need to maintain operating temp for awhile before that moisture will boil off.

 

Will the car be stored inside or outside?

 

I had a similar question. But I have been told that when running E85 I should drain the tank before winter. Correct?

 

I've always topped fuel off ,changed oil, washed car, disconnected the battery , and put rag in tailpipe
Cover her up
Depending where you live a few mothballs under the car are a good idea, keep critters away

 

Condensation from incomplete engine warmups isn't the only problem with infrequent winter operation.

Statups in cold weather dump lots of gas into the engine. The crankcase tends to accumulate unburned gas and the oil thins out if the engine isn't operated at normal temps for long enough. So, be sure to change oil in the spring again even if you just changed it before storing the car.

 

Don't start it. Just leave it.

Source: Live in Edmonton.

 

It will be stored indoors but not heated.

 

I would start it once every two to four weeks, and not do anything special other than that.

 

I would get a battery tender, cover it and use something to help keep anything from getting inside the engine bay and nesting (granted, it will be indoors, but you never know). You don't need to start it during storage and I would suggest against it as others have mentioned unless you plan to drive it.

 

Well isn't this just the perfect thread. So I was just going through all the same thoughts, with my 1st gens I've always started them once a month or so during winter months, or whenever the temps get above -20C. That was about as low as the carb would get a clean start, I'd warm her up go buy some beer and do some 2nd/3rd gear drifting and call it a day.

Now with the FD I'm unsure. It's a much more pricey toy to just screw around with. Is it safe to add fuel stabilizers with a turbo rotary, do i need to stay out of boost if I start it up mid-winter or in the spring until I clear most of that tank and get some fresh premium in there? I have a pretty decent engine ATM and I'm not keen to pop it over a silly mistake with a $15 fuel stabilizer.

 

I used to get the fuel stabilizer and then just burn the tank off in the spring under no boost. Now i don't even worry about the fuel stabilizer. It's not as big of an issue as people make it out to be. Just leave the car alone. If it was healthy when you parked it, it will be healthy when you start it again.

 

Beauty thanks boys and girls!

Ill just leave her i think. Did all new fluids, pumped up the tires, battery tender, good wash and a cover.

 

I agree with this for the most part, but I have heard that you can not do this with E85.

 

Depending on what your garage is like, you may also want to set traps for rodents. They like to nest in parked cars and will chew up foam, plastic and other insulation.

 

Canadian PoorBoy Storage

Roll car into/onto something.
gas tank full with Stabil in it.
Plugs out,spray Fogging oil,put plugs back in,.roll engine over by hand.
Plug or cover any holes or filters that may attract Varmints.(like exhaust and air filter)
Disconnect battery on car,put a Trickle charger on the battery and place the Cord outside the vehicle.You can plug the battery in for a day,once a week..or leave the thing on trickle(up to you).

Cover the freakin car and wait until all snow disappears.


I've had the car out in the middle of the yard 3 years in a row.Starts up very easily each year.
I just pop plugs out disconnect fuel and roll the engine over about 10 seconds.Put plugs in and start er up.
I saw -34c ...well the car did..I was inside!!!

 

Good advice. I have a Ford GT in storage, and the rats found the wiring loom under the hood and chewed minor damage into it.

Rat traps placed near the car, or some means of critter control are always good.

Other tip I can offer you- get some of those silica gel bead moisture tubs. They use them to remove moisture from damp rooms and windows, etc.
Sit one or two of those moisture absorbing tubs inside the vehicle during storage. Make sure the windows are closed and the interior is sealed up. The moisture absorbers keep the interior dry and stop mold and damp smells or condensation from ruining your interior or upholstery. Only a couple of dollars, its well worth it

 

This may be hard to believe but I have always used dryer sheets and bars of soap (Dial) in my cars to detract mice. In the 11 years I have stored cars I have never had an issue with mice and my cars smell amazing in the spring. Mice hate the smell of soap and dryer sheets.

 

Great advice all around, thanks guys.

 

I know exactly what you mean. I lived in NW WI and I'd be lucky to get 5 months the last couple years. Now I can drive it pretty much any time and don't have to worry about rain too much. I had mentioned a battery maintainer before. Here's the one I have MotoBatt Big Boy Battery Charger and Maintainer 12V at 1.25A - Newegg.com. This isn't just a charger it also maintains your battery. I swear by this thing. I've had it resurrect probably a dozen batteries from the dead. You can probably find one cheaper, or even a different brand, but I know this one does the job.

 

AutoTraderClassics.com - Article How To Store Your Car for Winter

i am pretty much doing this accept im not jacking it up cause im planning on new rubber in the spring anyway, and throwing some silica gel dessicant packets in various places like the driver and passanger carpets, a couple under the hood, one in the intake and a few underneath the car just on the ground, along with some mothballs to keep critters away

Edit: i will also mention to actually bring your battery in doors too, especially if you are in alberta, they really dont like -40

 

Yea ive got a decent little charger/maintainer on it now. Should be good come spring, the battery is a POS jap spec thing anyways so ill likely end up replacing it come spring time.

Now to start the wish list of parts to collect over winter..... dun dun dun

 

I actually do this too, i used to store my cars outdoors/barns and i have yet to have a mouse when using dryer sheets in the car.

Plus your car has that bounce freshness come spring!!!