Iowa Members Get In Here!

[The_Grinch]

Troy brings up a good point. I think most of us store our Camaros for the winter. I would find it interesting if the forum members that have a winterizing process take the time to share with us.

I myself have already started the first part of my process. I like to run two tanks of non ethanal gas thru the car before winter storage.

And as close to the time I store the car I will Seafoam the remander of the gas, and change the oil. An old friend of my who rebuilt more than his share of motors recomended this based on the conditions he would find between cars/bikes that were stored with clean oil and with dirty.

And I don't belive I have to do this but Please no personal attacts on someones process. A sharing of Ideas is great.

Let's take to time to show each other the same type of respect we damn well would like ourselves.

[Indy500_SS]

I agree Grinch, I know a lot of people have their own opinions on this process and I would love to hear them. I am open to learn anything on this process to keep my beast perfect for next year. I also agree that it betters serves everyone to be open to the ideas of others. I was able to pick some brain on Saturday but it was such chilly day my brain used it power for warmth


Here is the pic of the ride that will keep my car in the garage for a few months.

[toesuf94]

Originally Posted by INTIMIDAT3R

I certainly meant no disrespect as far as Tim's race goes.

I was under the impression that when you "break out", your run is not counted or DQ'ed.

I was not referring to you as the naysayer btw...it was my dad. You can bow to Tim if you'd like, that be your call. LOL.

Nice Jeep. PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS MECHANICAL tell me you have a warranty with that thing! (I am a Jeep guy, so please take this with a grain of salt and a side of beer) I have seen the Grand Cherokees go for 200k miles with oil changes and tires and nothing else...and I have seen them needing an exorcism every 15 miles or 10 minutes, whichever comes first! I owned a Commander for 24 months that had to be towed out of my garage 3 separate times for eating it's battery for unexplained reasons...same platform as yours. Just be warned they can be the devil if you are unlucky. (And yes, I still own a Jeep - Wrangler Unlimited that I LOVE) Not dissing your decision in any way.

[Indy500_SS]

Thanks for the advice, It is still there getting a new transfer case and shift cable. I should pick it up tomorrow. I am hoping that the devil has been worked out of her and she is ready to serve me .. I am wishing for the best...if needed do you have the name of your exorcist

[4th Gen Camaro Addict]

Nancy had a '93 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the in-line 6 cylinder engine. We sold it to her older brother when it had 225,000 on it and he is still driving it and the last time I asked him............it had over 300,000 miles on it.

[toesuf94]

For winter I inflate the tires with Helium in order to unload the suspension from the full weight of the car, then wax it using pure carnauba wax harvested from blind, virgin honeybees that populate the crater of Vesuvius which is hand applied using a microfiber towel hand-woven from the back hairs of the silver-back gorilla by giant dwarfs. Further, I have a special insert that goes into the pressure relief vents behind the bumper that allows me to suck all of the air out of the interior holding it in a vacuum all winter to prevent the degradation of the leather through oxidation.

Actually, I park it in a room that is held at a constant 68-70 deg f all winter and keep it full of gas and the battery charged.

[toesuf94]

Originally Posted by 02zl1_97ss

Nancy had a '93 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the in-line 6 cylinder engine. We sold it to her older brother when it had 225,000 on it and he is still driving it and the last time I asked him............it had over 300,000 miles on it.

The straight six was/is beyond bulletproof. Loved that engine. It didn't breath worth a darn, but the torque is so good. I miss that with the new V6's they have in them now. I will say the older ones were simpler creatures.


Use it wisely. And don't put the holy water in the gas like I did...

[4th Gen Camaro Addict]

Originally Posted by toesuf94

The straight six was/is beyond bulletproof. Loved that engine. It didn't breath worth a darn, but the torque is so good. I miss that with the new V6's they have in them now. I will say the older ones were simpler creatures.


Use it wisely. And don't put the holy water in the gas like I did...

If it has the Chrysler 318 C.I.D. 5.2 liter engine in it..............that's bulletproof too. My 1997 Dodge Dakota Extended Cab 4X4 pickup truck has that engine in it and it has 260,000 plus miles on it now and it just keeps going. I call is "Old Dependable".

[rberns]

Last year this is what I did. When I was down to about 1/2 a tank I went to the gas station and put stabil in the tank and filled it up with 93 octane. Drove to dealership and had oil change. Brought car home and washed it, parked it, and put cover on. Jacked it up and put jack stand under the control arms to load suspension. Actually had to remove front tires and there wasn't enough clearance to put jack stand close enough to the control arm with out the tire in the way. After it was on stands, I dropped the tire pressure in all 4 tires by about 10 psi. Took moth balls and placed them in little containers and placed them all around the car. Also put two containers inside the car on the floor mats. Also hooked up batter tender/trickle charger under the hood and plugged it into the outlet. Called insurance company and dropped it down to storage insurance.

[Steve_RS_Camaro]

Originally Posted by The_Grinch

Troy brings up a good point. I think most of us store our Camaros for the winter. I would find it interesting if the forum members that have a winterizing process take the time to share with us.

I myself have already started the first part of my process. I like to run two tanks of non ethanal gas thru the car before winter storage.

And as close to the time I store the car I will Seafoam the remander of the gas, and change the oil. An old friend of my who rebuilt more than his share of motors recomended this based on the conditions he would find between cars/bikes that were stored with clean oil and with dirty.

Grinch your correct
1. Oil change ( fresh oil will not have sediment to settel ond pack in the low spots of the engine)
2. Wash and Wax
3. Put on jack stands ( put on frame not under suspention )
4. Use Sta-bil or Seafoam fuel stabilizer
5. Check coolant protection should be -34 is perfect -20 is acceptable
6. Clean interior (even a single pop can can draw critters)
7. If using a cover use a completly breathable one, no plastic or vinyl.
Just my oppinion.

[Steve_RS_Camaro]

Originally Posted by rberns

Last year this is what I did. When I was down to about 1/2 a tank I went to the gas station and put stabil in the tank and filled it up with 93 octane. Drove to dealership and had oil change. Brought car home and washed it, parked it, and put cover on. Jacked it up and put jack stand under the control arms to load suspension. Actually had to remove front tires and there wasn't enough clearance to put jack stand close enough to the control arm with out the tire in the way. After it was on stands, I dropped the tire pressure in all 4 tires by about 10 psi. Took moth balls and placed them in little containers and placed them all around the car. Also put two containers inside the car on the floor mats. Also hooked up batter tender/trickle charger under the hood and plugged it into the outlet. Called insurance company and dropped it down to storage insurance.

sounds like you have a very good procedure.

[Steve_RS_Camaro]

For some of us the onset of winter brings that emotion laden task of storing the Camaro for the winter. This is a somber event. It is best done alone so one may share those last moments with the Camaro without distraction. And, this way if one gets too emotional about it the family and friends won't be there to witness it and become convinced you really have lost it.

[INTIMIDAT3R]

Things to do for winter storage...

1. Change the oil.
2. Sea Foam(fuel stabilizer) or other brand of fuel stabilizer in gas tank, then fill up, and then drive for a few miles.
3. Detail car inside and out.
4. Pump the tires up to 50 psi to avoid flatspotting if you don't have "FlatSpotters" to prevent it.
5. In an unheated garage, cover garage floor with a waterproof tarp as moisture barrier. Heated garage, you're good.
6. Cardboard or carpeting under tires to add another layer of protection between floor and tires.
7. Moth balls by the tires and/or dryer sheets in the interior/trunk to keep critters away
8. PLAIN/UNTREATED charcoal briquettes in the passenger cabin and trunk to absorb odors.
9. Steel wool in exhaust pipes to keep critters out(leave note on stearing wheel or taped to car cover as a reminder)
10. Then hook up battery tender and plug in.
11. Cover car with a NOAH or similar breathable car cover.
12. Then walk away till spring.
13. DO NOT start until ready to drive it again in the spring. Letting car sit and idle for any amount of time DOES NOT get rid of the condensation that is created in the exhaust system and engine.
14. Check with your finance company to see if you can drop full coverage and just keep comprehensive since the car will be in storage. Some will allow it, some won't.

[INTIMIDAT3R]

Originally Posted by Steve_RS_Camaro

3. Put on jack stands ( put on frame not under suspention )

I was advised by my friend Lon Peterson(Rydell Chevrolet), Mike Jacobsen(ASE Certified Mechanic), and numerous car magazines NOT to put your car up on jackstands. The suspension is designed to have a load on it 24/7, 365.

Putting your car on jack stands or blocks under the frame lets the suspension droop and puts the springs and bushings in an unnatural state.