Winter Storage (HELP!?!?!)

[Polmear]

I am looking for any info on the best way to prep my MCS for winter storage.

1) Do I need to do anything special to the gas? (add stabilizer,fill tank, empty tank...)

2) Any special recommendations about the oil? (full change next spring, wait for service interval) I already changed out the break-in oil.

3) I plan to remove the battery and bring indoors, good idea/bad idea?

Anyone???

[obehave]

Quote: Originally Posted by Polmear

I am looking for any info on the best way to prep my MCS for winter storage.

1) Do I need to do anything special to the gas? (add stabilizer,fill tank, empty tank...)

2) Any special recommendations about the oil? (full change next spring, wait for service interval) I already changed out the break-in oil.

3) I plan to remove the battery and bring indoors, good idea/bad idea?

Anyone???

How long? In a controlled environment?

Fill the tank and add a stabilizer. Prevents condensation in the tank and the stabilizer explains itself. Empty tank is bad.

Store it with fresh oil. Used oil will not protect as well and will have contaminants in it that are not good to leave in the engine. Oil is hygroscopic so you will also need to change it if you will leave it for extended periods before you start it IF you don't start it for a long time. Even then after a couple months I highlt recommend a change before driving the car again. Which leads me to..

The battery. Just disconnecting the negative side will be fine and will make it easier if you want to do the occasional start and warm up cycle during your storage period.
If you have no plans to start it then inside is fine. Make sure you keep it clean and protect the terminals. Water,dust, crud etc on the battery can actually conduct and drain the battery. This would really take a filthy battery or an accidental spill but it is possible.

I probably missed something but another good soul will come along and fill in the blanks.

[Polmear]

Quote: Originally Posted by obehave

How long? In a controlled environment?

Thanks As far as time, that will depend on the weather, I am assuming Nov thru Apr. Depends on when the snow starts, since MI salts the roads, and ends, plus two or three rains after.
I have already had my share of engine compartments flooded by slushy snow, twice last spring in my celica-but that's why its the winter beater.
Any recommendations on a good stabilizer?--will the cheap stuff I use for my mowers work as well in the car?-not trying to be cheap, I got a half dozen bottles of sta-bil in the garage.

as faras environment- only slightly controlled. uninsulated garage with leaky, drafty doors. It will be covered, still deciding on which one; washed&polished(ordering zaino soon).

I wasn't sure if I'd want to start it up monthly, or not--would that help maintain the oil.
This is the first car I've ever cared enough for, to consider putting away for the winter, so I appreciate the help.
Thanks again!

[stryder]

I think Sta-bil is pretty darn good stuff, to support your cheapness, but maybe someone else has a view.. I actually don't know of other stabilizers besides it.

There's always a discussion on how to store the tires for a long period, I'm not an expert, but the idea of jackstands, so you don't flatten the daylights out of the tires is a not a bad idea. But other people seem to not have issues just leaving it on tires.

And put something to prop the windshield wipers away from the windshield, or just expect to replace them, since they'll probably fuse to the glass.

Don't forget about rodent/animal protection if that's an issue in your garage.

Don't put the parking brake on, it'll horribly sieze.

There's lots of info online as well, of course its quality varies...

[obehave]

I KNEW I'd forget something and stryder got it.
But you don't want to just jack the car up to unload the tires. You need to keep the suspension loaded as it's not good for shocks/struts or springs to leave them extended for long periods. Some guys (with more money than me) throw cheap craps tires on the car or you can also rotate them at least twice a month.
Some of the concours guys actually have jackstands with the proper bolt pattern on them. You jack the car up and bolt the stand on and let it back down. You can also use cheap steelie rims and just set them down on notched wooden blocks and save some money not buying tires.

edit: StaBil should work fine.

[NEMINI]

I'm going to go ahead and 'sticky' this thread as its a question that should become popular this time of year

[Mike Manzi]

Re: Winter Storage of Mini:

Move to Florida like I did! You can drive all year round.

Sorry, thought this forum needed a bit of levity.

[stryder]

Levity is good, though if you look carefully, its hiding in many places.

Now don't go and get skin cancer with all that sun!

[miniyup]

Not planning to drive my MINI in the salt, but on dry, cold/clear days during the winter I still plan to take it out for a run. I just bought a 98 Honda Civic as my "salt car".

Sometimes lately the winters here in the Midwest aren't too bad so there may be quite a few good days of "motoring". I think it is better if I don't "store" the car for months on end, but rather drive it when the opportunity presents itself.

[NEMINI]

levity is good however I live in NY and still drive my MINI year round Just wash it and its a non-issue IMO

[Polmear]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mike Manzi

Re: Winter Storage of Mini:

Move to Florida like I did! You can drive all year round.

Sorry, thought this forum needed a bit of levity.

Thanks for the invite, sure you have room for me, the MINI, the wife, and our cats?

[RustyPaint]

I have also hear that using jack stands, you can run the car in first gear to get the trannie moveing and lubercated. The battery is a big issue. I hear that bmw's eat batterys alive when in storage.

[Polmear]

Well, Jack is now sleeping off the winter, snuggled in the garage. I did disconnect the battery, left it in place, I have decided to drive him around the block once a month, just to keep everything lubed, and not put too much stress on one particular spot in the tires-but only if it isn't wet out at all. I run the tank to half before storing him, added the stabilizer-enough for a full tank, and then ran him up to fill the tank, figured it would get stabilized fuel throughout most of the system that way. I certainly miss the fun of driving the Jack, but I really want to keep this particular car for quite a while, and exposing him to Michigans salty roads just can't be allowed if I don't want to see rust soon.
Thanks again to everyone who added their advice, it has been greatly appreciated.

[obehave]

Good night Jack
Sleep tight

[mjmedlen]

MINIs are built to be driven. I live in MI and will be driving year round. Don't store it - DRIVE IT