How to prepare car for winter period

Basic needs related to restoring a 6er including
Electronics, Bodywork, Welding, Painting, Engine Swap, etc
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janusz200
Posts: 49
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 6:09 am
Location: Warsaw, Poland

How to prepare car for winter period

Post by janusz200 »

Due to street de-icing with chlorides we have to keep our classic cars in garage during winter season. What’s your experience and hints how to prepare car for this dead season of 4-5 moths?

Is it good idea to start the engine up every week or two and let engine to heat up and work for 15-20 minutes in operating temperature? Many people keep the car in big garages under buildings where it’s possible to move the car for about 100 m, break, turn etc.

The advantages are:
- engine and gear box are lubricated
- all moving parts are turning, the tyres are rolled
- temperature under the bonnet allows to keep wiring dry

There are also disadvantages:
- some gasoline is blown into the crankcase and destroys the oil. More often this cold start is repeated the oil is more and more destroying.
- some steam condensates in the engine and exhaust causing the corrosion.

Due to disadvantages some people don’t start up the engine and leave the car for winter preparing it before:
- wash the car, drive afterwards fast to dry it, wax the body
- filling the fuel tank up to avoid the tank corrosion
- pump the tyres ~0,5 bar over normal pressure and wax them
- wax the door gaskets
- keep the battery out and charging it sometimes if necessary
- cover the car with side windows open for 1-2 cm
- rolling the tyres 2-3 m on and back every 1-2 months, depressing the break and clutch pedal few times


Please share your experience.
1980 635 CSi EU
M90/L-Jetronic/manual
ron
Platinum Member
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Joined: Sat Jul 10, 2004 11:35 am
Location: South Wales U.K.

Re: How to prepare car for winter period

Post by ron »

Put your location in your profile as requested by admin.
They are ALWAYS rustier than you thought!!!!!!
'85 M #228
'87 M #367
'88 High line.
'10 X5
‘84 Alfasud 1.5 ti
janusz200
Posts: 49
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 6:09 am
Location: Warsaw, Poland

Re: How to prepare car for winter period

Post by janusz200 »

Done Ron. Sorry, I didn't noticed the requirement. In previous forum layout my location was available if I remember correctly.
1980 635 CSi EU
M90/L-Jetronic/manual
mirdif64
Posts: 42
Joined: Sat Jul 08, 2017 9:04 am
Location: UK

Re: How to prepare car for winter period

Post by mirdif64 »

Janusz,
As you mention in your last paragraph.
Change oil and filter.
Wash, dry, wax. Overinflate tyres slightly. Fuel up to filler neck (remove ethanol and add fuel stabiliser)
Remove battery.
Cover car and place in Permabag. Put in desiccant containers and zip up.
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janusz200
Posts: 49
Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 6:09 am
Location: Warsaw, Poland

Re: How to prepare car for winter period

Post by janusz200 »

Thanx. What fuel stabilizer do You use?
1980 635 CSi EU
M90/L-Jetronic/manual
ron
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Posts: 4569
Joined: Sat Jul 10, 2004 11:35 am
Location: South Wales U.K.

Re: How to prepare car for winter period

Post by ron »

I think these are the best thing since sliced bread! I have both the indoor and outdoor units.

https://www.carcoon.com/carcoon-airflow-systems
They are ALWAYS rustier than you thought!!!!!!
'85 M #228
'87 M #367
'88 High line.
'10 X5
‘84 Alfasud 1.5 ti
mirdif64
Posts: 42
Joined: Sat Jul 08, 2017 9:04 am
Location: UK

Re: How to prepare car for winter period

Post by mirdif64 »

janusz200 wrote: Tue Jan 09, 2018 10:49 pm Thanx. What fuel stabilizer do You use?
Janusz,
This is what I use.
Regards,

Steve.

http://www.motorgeek.co.uk/cgi-bin/ecom ... b_pid=1093
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