I am getting ready to put my RX7 in my neighbor's garage for the winter. The garage gets a little water by the doors and seems a bit musty. I would like to put some of the stuff that absorbs moisture in the car - Does anyone know what that is called (Sodium Silica or something like that?) and where to get it?
I do plan on doing some work to stop the leaks in the next few weeks, but I would like to have this stuff anyway.
Thanks in advance.

Charlie Williams
1993 R1
Louisville, KY

 

Camera shops sell it. Stuff it in your intake and exhaust pipe and cover with aluminum foil. Seal with tape. Make a post-it note and put in on your steering wheel reminding you to take it out in the spring or else.............Do not, REPEAT, DO NOT start your engine until the spring when you can drive it to get it nice and hot and burn off all the nasty acids that will form in your crankcase during the winter. Oh, btw, an oil change and filter and full tank of gas to the filler neck is mandatory. Tires to full pressure and check them once a month. Battery out, full of distilled water and on a trickle charger. That's it beside a good wash, wax and of course a quality car cover before hibernation. AHHHH........ Spring!

(there's about 15 other things you can do if you are really ****,
but this covers the basics of storage....worth the time!)

 

I am not putting it up for the winter - I plan on driving it every other week or so. I am looking for a box of this stuff to keep open in the interior so it stays nice and dry.

Charlie Williams

 

Maybe some baking soda will help too. If you use the silicate, be sure your lock your doors so kids or pets don't eat them! They are poisonous.

Bc you'll be driving in once in a wk or so, there is really not much you need to do with the car. If you were to store it for a winter, a battery charger, gas stabilizer and some gas moisture blocker will be great.

 

I found the stuff at my hardware store - they sell it as Damp-Rid or Rid Damp - it is just calcium Chloride in a special tub. It last about a month or so, but can be refilled with snow melt.

Charlie

 

Whats the other 15 things? I'm real **** and I'm about to store my FD in a few more weeks.

 

I would suggest putting it on stands if you're going to leave it for a while. Of course, if your leather is in real good condition, and you want to keep it that way, a shampoo and condition is in order before locking'er up.

 

Ok, let's see. ummmmmmmmm.

1) Pull the plugs and put in an ounce of two stroke oil in each chamber and turn the engine over for a second or two. This will coat the guts and help to prevent oxidation. The easiest way I have found is with a turkey baster and small hose. Throw in some new plugs after you are done. Why? I dunno, it just feels good knowing you have new ones in the spring. It will smoke like a sonofabitch in the spring when you start it so don't freak!

2) Run the engine with the fuel pump relay pulled until it runs out of gas. Prevents varnish from forming in the fuel system, injectors, etc. due to decaying fuel.

3) Change tranny fluid.

4) Change Dif fluid.

5) Change brake fluid.

6) Change power steering fluid.

7) Fix all those annoying paint chips.

8) Flush and refill the coolant system with anti-freeze and distilled water. Do the flush twice, and don't forget the 14 mm bolt above the oil pan rail to make sure the block is drained.

9) lube all your door hinges and locks, don't forget the hatch, hood and sunroof if equipped.

10) Clean and vacuum the interior, Lexol your leather if equipped.

11) Put a dozen mothballs in your engine compartment. Keeps out furry friends who like to eat wiring and insulation.

12) Wash the engine compartment with de-greaser, dry it by driving it for 30 minutes.

13) Put a small piece of plywood under your tires to keep moisture from the concrete away from the rubber.

14) Put it on jacks if you want too - I guess this makes sense to take stress off the shocks, but I've never done it. Your tires will not develop "flat" spots. This did used to happen to old bias belted tires though.

15) Have a beer, you're done! Sleep tight knowing your Rex is hibernating in bliss.

Later.