This is directed to those people in the states where winter has hit and it's COLD!

I know that many others like myself have stored their C3's for the winter. While I'm not driving mine, I do make sure to start it and get it up to (almost) running temp. I do it about every 2-3 weeks.

I'm wondering how often others who have parked their C3's start them?

I had both of mine running about two weeks ago. I just had my new garage finished and moved the Vettes from the attached garage to the new detached one. I know the rule of thumb where unless you plan on putting at least 25 miles on the car so all the moisture and contaminants can get burned out of the engine and exhaust system you shouldn't start them. What I did do was make sure each car started OK and let them warm to operating temperature before shutting them down. That was the first either had been started since November.

Gunslinger said: I know the rule of thumb where unless you plan on putting at least 25 miles on the car so all the moisture and contaminants can get burned out of the engine and exhaust system you shouldn't start them.

Really? Gosh, I didn't know that. So starting once a week and taking around the block is doing more harm than if left sitting?

Mickey

Wow - I find that very interesting as well! What about the battery? My experience is that the cold will drain it. I was under the impression that starting it once every 2-3 weeks up to running temp was not only good for the internals, but also kept the battery charged as well.

I don't mean to scare anyone about that, but it is an old "rule of thumb" with cars. Moisture builds up in the engine and exhaust system, as well as acids and other contaminants that normally get burned up as the engine heats up and is driven. If the car isn't driven at least to the point where these contaminants burn up, they can settle in the muffler, etc., and cause premature rust-out.

This may be a lesser problem now than in days past due to better quality exhaust systems now, better quality oils, etc., but the potential is still there.

The cold will drain the battery eventually, as it will eventually in any weather. If you can't start and run the car enough to burn off the contaminants, you can either unhook the battery to eliminate current drain, or keep a trickle charger on it to keep it charged.

Again, this is not a big problem by any means. Look at how many cars here have been left sitting for years and with a little care, have been started and run with little if any problems. This more a preventive thing than anything.

This winter has been more a pain than normal here in Maryland (today being a fine example), and my two Corvettes (garaged) and Dodge Charger (which sat outside) started fine two weeks ago after sitting since October/November. It took a bit of cranking since they're all carbureted but they started and ran OK so I could move them to my new garage built for them. I just let them run up to normal operating temperature for several minutes before shutting them off.

I've been starting my 78 up every other week end since I parked it in the garage in mid november,I let it run 15 minutes each time.It always fires right up,a lot better than my Olds cutlass wagon has lately with the 0 and below weather we've been having in Up State New York the last couple of weeks,the olds got evicted from it's spot in the garage when I got the Vette a couple of years ago

For the past three years "The Toy" has been stored 'off-site' so the bride's vehicle can occupy the single car garage we currently have. So it gets shutdown in Novemeber, the battery pulled (a requirement of the storage facility) and stored in the basement until spring.

A couple of days before going to retrieve "The Toy" I put a charger on the battery to make sure it has a full charge. After hooking it up I turn the engine over a bit with the 'kill switch' engaged to get some oil pumped up and around, then pump the gas a couple of times, disengage the 'kill switch', turn the key again and start smilin' as life is good again...!!!

Come on spring...!!!

To All:

Every atricle that I have read regarding storing for the Winter, all of them basically make the same points:

1. Raise the vehicle off of the ground to avoid "flat spots" on the tires.

2. Place some desicent bags in the interior to absorb any moisture or odors in the air. These are bags you see when you purchase electronic equipment. All of the parts vendors sell them.

3. Place a moisture barrier i.e. plastic sheets etc. between your car and the cold concrete floor, if not a heated garage.

4. Disconnect the battery to prevent power drain due to the weather, especially for older batteries, and to prevent power loss due to low current drain. This is common due to the age of these vehicles and sometimes due to the condition of the wiring.

5. I also keep the tank full to minimize condensation and add some fuel stablizer to keep the gas in good condition.

Mike

Hey...
I just wanted to jum in here. My car is parked outside on the driveway, but under a very nice car cover. I do however get my hubby and we un-cover her and start her up every few weeks. I just want to be sure all is ok!!!!

One of the biggest things about start and shut down is the moisture in the engine itself. When fully warmed up the PCV will purge the moisture and acid from the engine. It will also remove gas and gas fumes. The gas will be in the oil due to very rich running conditions with the choke on. If the car is started several times without fully warming up, the fuel, water, and resulting acids build up in the engine and ruin the engine oil. The water and acid are what do engine damage. Starting it once with out a good warm up is fine. Several times will start to damage internal components. If the car is warmed up, running it for a while, even at idle, will purge everything. Just getting it warm is not enough. It takes time to evaporate and purge the contaminates. Driving is better due to increased flow of everything. But a good warm up AND run time is okay. Repeated warmups without run time is the problem. Run time also dries out the exhaust system. Everytime you shut down a hot engine you build moisture in the exhaust due to condensation. If it's not dried out it just builds more water, and rust the exhaust from the inside out. Again, driving dries it out faster due to increased heat and flow.

So, start it and warm it up, AND run it for a while. If you shut it off, pull the dipstick. Smell the oil for gas or acid in the oil. If you suspect anything, restart and run it some more. If the car is inside you can go several months without starting. If it's outside I would like to see at least once a month. It's not the temp, it's the moisture.

Mine is outside under a car cover, sitting on plastic, and gets started about once a month then runs for about 45 minutes. I do rev up the engine once in a while. If you are not willing to let it run for while after warmup, don't start it. I should also say before I bought it, my car sat in an inside cold storage area for 5 years without being started. I took my time and care starting it, and made sure I had oil circulating in the engine before starting. It's fine.

Ken Styer