Winter Storage

[AndyB]

I plan on storing my '03 for the winter. (Bought a 94 CVPI to drive). It will be indoors, but not climate controlled. What do I need to do to it? Can someone recommend an inexpensicve aftermarket cover to keep dust off, or is this a bad idea?

[Mike Poore]

I plan on storing my '03 for the winter. (Bought a 94 CVPI to drive). It will be indoors, but not climate controlled. What do I need to do to it? Can someone recommend an inexpensicve aftermarket cover to keep dust off, or is this a bad idea?
I'm doing the same thing, and will be driving the F-150. If you mean stored in a shed with no heat or humidity control, don't cover it, except with perhaps a cotton sheet. If its in the garage where there's some temp and humidity control, then a cover is OK. We've been storing Sunshine like that (garage under the house) for 11 years with no problems.

[FiveO]

I plan on storing my MM for the winter....Nov. 15th to about April 1st.

3-4 cotton sheets plus a few starts every couple weeks (and maybe trip or two around the block ;) :D) should be fine.


I've got a heated garage and may keep it at 40-50 if it gets realllllly cold.

[ADE 1000]

I don't store the MM, but I do store my Corvette every winter. Here is my routine before it goes into hibernation.

1. Oil change

2. Full tank of gas with a small amount of fuel stabilizer

3. Wash and Zaino

4. Cover floor with plastic tarp to block moisture from the concrete garage floor

5. Inflate tires to 40psi and park each wheel on 3-4 carpet remnants to prevent flat spotting

6. Disconnect negative battery terminal and install Battery Tender (1.5 amp varying trickle charger)

7. Cover exhaust tips with plastic

8. Cover it all up with my Noah car cover

Works like a charm. The Corvette has a huge electrical draw while parked, so disconecting the battery is a requirement. With the MM, installing the Battery Tender alone might be sufficient.

[jaywish]

Those are really great recommendations ADE1000.

The only thing I'd like to add is that if significant moisture is a possibility you may want to consider spraying the engine compartment with a protectant spray.

If it's really damp and you are not going to run the car regularly (with A/C or defrost on), remove plugs, lightly oil/spray cylinders with fogging oil, replace plugs. You will get a large puff of smoke in the spring but no rust on cylinders.

I would normally say crank the engine before replaceing plugs, as I've done dozens of times on older electronic ignition engines. I guess it would be Ok on the Marauder, but I can't swear to it.

Anybody know for sure?

Jay

[Warpath]

I do the same as ADE 1000 except for the carpet remnants (never heard that before but sounds like a good idea). I also remove the battery and keep it inside out of the cold.

Get a good, quality cover. If your MM will not see any rain or leaky roof, just get a cotton, indoor cover from either California Car Cover http://www.calcarcover.com/ or Covercraft http://www.covercraft.com/ I've had covers from both companies and the Covercraft cover was thicker and higher quality. These covers will breath and allow moisture to pass through. Whatever you do, don't cover it with plastic. It will hold the moisture in.

I also want to reemphasis putting plastic under the vehicle to cover up the ground. Even if you park it in the garage on concrete, water will permeate (sp?) through it and up into the vehicle. Its even more important on dirt. I get large tarps (~12'x20') at least 4 mil thick from Lowes or Home Depot. I keep my Cobra in my garage. So, I made a 2x4 frame about the height of the hood, place it in front of the car, and wrap the excess plastic around it to prevent any leaves or snow from blowing under the car during the fall and winter.