Winterizing
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Welcome Don,
Specify the type of storage. Heated? Climate controlled?
Mine is kept in the basement of my house. Tempuratures never go below 55f. I put a coat of wax on it and keep a car cover on it.
Change the oil right before you put it in storage. You don't want the contaminants and acids in the crankcase all winter. Try to drive the car a minimum of once a month. Drive it for at least an hour to get all of the oil temps up and to burn off all of the condensated moisture from inside the engine and exhaust system.
Make sure you have good coolant/anti-freeze in the system for COLD winter driving. You can freeze your radiator solid before the thermostat opens if you start driving before the engine is fully warmed up and there is no anti-freeze in the system. I warm my engine with the front bonnet open so I can check the radiator tank for warmth. Then I know it's ready to go.
Don't forget to check your tire pressures before you drive. Cold weather reduces the pressure in your tires, even after you have been driving for a while. They will NOT attain the same pressure as driving on a summer day..
If the car is going to be kept in an area of high humidity you may want to visit an outlet for RV supplies and pick up a dehumidifier for the storage space or one for inside the car to stop mold.
When spring comes, change the oil again, especially after numerous cold starts with chokes. The rich fuel mixture will contaminate the oil again.
I think that just about covers it.
Specify the type of storage. Heated? Climate controlled?
Mine is kept in the basement of my house. Tempuratures never go below 55f. I put a coat of wax on it and keep a car cover on it.
Change the oil right before you put it in storage. You don't want the contaminants and acids in the crankcase all winter. Try to drive the car a minimum of once a month. Drive it for at least an hour to get all of the oil temps up and to burn off all of the condensated moisture from inside the engine and exhaust system.
Make sure you have good coolant/anti-freeze in the system for COLD winter driving. You can freeze your radiator solid before the thermostat opens if you start driving before the engine is fully warmed up and there is no anti-freeze in the system. I warm my engine with the front bonnet open so I can check the radiator tank for warmth. Then I know it's ready to go.
Don't forget to check your tire pressures before you drive. Cold weather reduces the pressure in your tires, even after you have been driving for a while. They will NOT attain the same pressure as driving on a summer day..
If the car is going to be kept in an area of high humidity you may want to visit an outlet for RV supplies and pick up a dehumidifier for the storage space or one for inside the car to stop mold.
When spring comes, change the oil again, especially after numerous cold starts with chokes. The rich fuel mixture will contaminate the oil again.
I think that just about covers it.
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Joined
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I live in Maine so my Ferrari is in an unheated garage from the end of Dec. to the end of March. What I do, like Spasso says, is change the oil and check the anti-freeze before putting it up. I also fill the gas tank and add some fuel stabilizer like Sta-bil and run the engine so that the stabilized fuel is in all the carbs. Then I take off the air filter cover and while the engine is running I spray some fogging oil into each of the carburettors until I get a thick white smoke coming out of the tail pipes. At this point, the engine is shut down for the winter. I pull the spark plugs, spray some fogging oil down each of the cylinders, roll it over with the starter and then re-install the plugs. I pull the battery out and store it in the basement.
In the spring, I throw the battery back in her, start her up and I'm good to go.
In the spring, I throw the battery back in her, start her up and I'm good to go.
To all:
Thanks for the complete & quick replies! I just wanted to compliment you on the site & let you know how much I have enjoyed it over the last couple of days since I discovered it. I hope to post some pictures of my car soon.
Forza!
Thanks for the complete & quick replies! I just wanted to compliment you on the site & let you know how much I have enjoyed it over the last couple of days since I discovered it. I hope to post some pictures of my car soon.
Forza!
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