02-25-2023, 04:38 PM | #1 |
Drives: Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Join Date: Nov 2021
Location: Ontario
Posts: 26
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Winter storage, to start or not
Wonder how many people start their car during the winter months.
Do you idle it for long? How long? Do you rev it once warmed up a bit? What is your procedure? Or do you not start it all winter?
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2015 Z28 SIM AC/Speakers #1228
2011 RAM 2500 6.7 diesel 2018 Husqvarna TE300 1985 Yamaha RZ500 |
02-25-2023, 05:22 PM | #2 |
Drives: 2011 1SS/RS IBM Camaro Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Chittenango, NY, USA
Posts: 7,219
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I don't and never have started my vehicles I put up for the winter storage. All it does is leave moisture in and out on the motor, which is not good for it. Not all will agree.
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02-25-2023, 05:32 PM | #3 |
Big John
Drives: Wife 2013 Camaro 2SSRS / ME? Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 337
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Never start mine either!
I put a full tank of gas in them and a battery tender on them and set it and forget it. Lol |
02-25-2023, 05:49 PM | #4 |
It don’t come easy.
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If you start it, it needs/must get to operating temperature, in order for the moisture to cook out of the oil. If not…its a bad thing, YMMV.
Btw, don’t start mine ‘till the salts off the roads, in spring.
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02-26-2023, 09:50 AM | #5 |
Drives: 2014 Camaro SS/RS 1LE 1967 Camaro Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Fort Wayne, IN
Posts: 874
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Agree with all the comments above. I only start mine when it’s time to drive, other than that she sits covered up. No need creating extra wear on your engine components and introducing moisture to the oil and other components.
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02-26-2023, 11:05 AM | #6 |
Drives: 2015 zl1 m6 Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Alaska
Posts: 702
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What about cars that have been cammed ?
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02-26-2023, 12:12 PM | #7 |
Drives: 2013 zl1 vert Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Rochester, New york
Posts: 956
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I never start mine. It sits under the cover all winter with a tender on it.
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02-26-2023, 12:16 PM | #8 |
Drives: 2014 Camaro SS/RS 1LE 1967 Camaro Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Fort Wayne, IN
Posts: 874
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I’d still not start it, with a cam that is, during storage. A lot of guys who run a nice size cam will rotate the engine by hand so that the valve springs don’t have to sit in one spot and under pressure for a length of time. I’m running a stage2 BTR twin turbo cam and just let it sit until spring.
Another route to go is… hold your gas pedal to the floor, do not let off. Attempt to start the car, then turn key back to off position. The motor will continue to crank if you don’t switch the key back off while holding down the gas pedal. The motor will think it is in flood mode and trying to clear itself when you do this, it will not start though. This is an easy way to rotate the engine; and cam to another lobe and valve spring. |
02-26-2023, 09:44 PM | #9 |
It’s my first winter with this car and I love letting it run/hearing it idle and even driving because we didn’t get any snow. Roads been perfect.
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2015 Z28 #572 BLACK NO AC
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02-27-2023, 07:37 AM | #10 |
Drives: Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Join Date: Nov 2021
Location: Ontario
Posts: 26
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I guess having the valve springs compressed is my concern. Partially or fully compressed for a long winter will surely reduce the springs life and pressure.
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2015 Z28 SIM AC/Speakers #1228
2011 RAM 2500 6.7 diesel 2018 Husqvarna TE300 1985 Yamaha RZ500 |
03-05-2023, 11:09 PM | #11 |
Drives: 10 SS,11 SS Pace, 13 ZL1 IOM Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 1,733
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I was told by a friend that is older and has many collector cars to not start a car during storage unless you are going to drive it or get it to full operating temperature.
He told me to put a bottle of Sta Bil on the fuel and the battery on a trickle charger. He also told me to bump the starter once a month or so to move the crank/pistons/valves, etc., but do not start the car. This will break any oxidation, move the position of the valve springs and pistons. etc. He also said to pump the brakes a few times to move the fluid around. |
03-06-2023, 09:32 AM | #12 | |
Drives: Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Join Date: Nov 2021
Location: Ontario
Posts: 26
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Quote:
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2015 Z28 SIM AC/Speakers #1228
2011 RAM 2500 6.7 diesel 2018 Husqvarna TE300 1985 Yamaha RZ500 |
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03-06-2023, 03:39 PM | #13 |
Drives: 2015 Z28 Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Grant Minnesnota
Posts: 310
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I agree with the others about not starting the vehicle unless you can warm it up completely.
I wrote this post a few years back: https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showp...6&postcount=19 In this Thread on "Winterizing": https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showt...hlight=Storage
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03-06-2023, 09:44 PM | #14 |
Drives: Chevrolet Camaro Z28 (2015) Join Date: Feb 2023
Location: Washington state
Posts: 79
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the one thing that wears an engine out and reduces its lifetime is cold start.
so, unless you can start the car and MOVE IT to get to operating temperatures (not just engine, gearbox and differential too), you should not start it. full stop and works for any combustion engine. |
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