Almost time to tuck in the Spider for the winter...

[captain_canuck]

Getting close to that time of year (well, in the next month or so). As new S4 Spider owners, this'll be our first time putting one away for the winter. With that in mind, can I ask two questions:
1) Any recommendations on where to store the car (west end GTA)? We've got a two car garage that will already be full, and we're looking for reputable offsite storage.
2) Any recommendations on what to do to prep the car for storage? Off the top of my head, I can think to disconnect the battery, and put the cover on. Any other ideas?

I used to have an RX7 (way back when), and when I put it away for the winter, I'd disconnect the distibutor cap (so it wouldn't start), pour half a litre of oil down the carb, and crank it for a few seconds (to spread the oil around inside the combustion chambers). Smoked like a son-of-a-gun when I fired it up in the springtime, but nothing ever seized. Anybody ever done the same thing with a Spider?

[Elio Comello]

Captain, here is my routine:

Raise the car suspensin to get weight off tires.
Change the Oil and filter (put it away with clean , no acid oil)
A spoonful of light oil into each spark plug opening.
Add fuel stabilizer to full fuel tank.
Top should be up, windows not closed tight. Cover, but put mouse traps with bait inside the car and the engine compartment.

Best regards, Elio

[Rosso Veloce]

Adding to Elio's list:
- If stored on concrete, put a plastic tarp under car/jack stands to keep moisture away
- plastic bag over exhaust pipe (moisture/critters)
- put battery on a de-sulphanator/conditioner
- I like to put moth ball packs in the engine compartment, cockpit, and trunk - it will smell in the spring, but that goes away quickly (air it out at, oh, about 70mph!)

[captain_canuck]

Great ideas folks, thanks! Not sure what a battery desulphinator/conditioner is though - what is that and where does one find one? You feel that simply disconnecting the battery is not sufficient?

Someone else had mentioned mothballs as a way of keeping critters out - I'll look into that, so long as I can be sure that the smell dissipates quickly in the spring.

[lowmileage]

Quote:

Originally Posted by captain_canuck Great ideas folks, thanks! Not sure what a battery desulphinator/conditioner is though - what is that and where does one find one? You feel that simply disconnecting the battery is not sufficient?

[89spidertoronto]

Captain Canuck...

I stumbled upon your posting about storage which was posted a while ago.
I own an 89 spider quad...

Did you find a place that was affordable to store away your baby? If so can you recommend any that are affordable...I recently moved and now she will potentially be in the open for winter. Any storage recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Reg

regvasquezjr@gmail.com