Re: Parking for the winter in extreme cold - proper precautions?Field mice in Michigan love those dryer sheets, they make great nest
insulation. BTDT. :-(
"Monroe" <terra3@wildroseinternet.ca> wrote in message
news:t8kue3perm75rr8kfensjl238tpnc56ed3@4ax,com ...
> I'll further that concern with mice. After many attempts at cleaning
> out an engine compartment nest in my GCL, now going to the dealership
> for disassembly of a portion of the compartment to finish removing and
> disinfecting the nest, (likely) extending it further back through
> interior ducts into the air circulation system. All in all, they
> estimate $600 - $800 (about 6 - 8 hours) for the job. Jesus!
>
> For the coming winter, I've taken local advice ranging from placement
> of Irish spring bar soap to "Bounce" laundry sheets at discrete
> locations within the vehicle. That and I won't keep the garage off
> limits for my cats during the winter (despite chilling temps leading
> into the house).
>
> On Sun, 16 Sep 2007 23:35:06 -0400, "Matt Macchiarolo"
> <matt@nospamplease,com > wrote:
>
>
>>Good advice on plugging the intake and exhaust. I had a mouse build a nest
>>in the transmission case of a Kawasaki Mule once, not pretty. Expect to
>>have
>>to clean out mouse nests from the nooks and crannies under the hood in the
>>spring. A judicial application of mothballs may help.
>>
>>"RoyJ" <spamless@microsoft,net > wrote in message
>>news:13erpidop2g6a97@corp.supernews,com ...
>>> For that kind of storage I'd suggest:
>>>
>>> Clean oil: do an oil and filter change, run it 100 miles or so to get
>>> things well warmed up and mixed with any of the old oil.
>>>
>>> Check your anti freeze, replace as necessary. Your '99 may not have had
>>> any cooling service, this would be a good time to flush and refill. I
>>> don't have the table in front of me but IIRC you may need to go to 60%
>>> ethelyne glycol instead of the regular 50% mix.
>>>
>>> Make sure the tank is full of gas to minimize condensation. Using
>>> something like Stabil is a good idea but not really necessary for the
>>> reasonably short storage time.
>>>
>>> Tires need to be off the ground and protected from UV (they should not
>>> see
>>> sunlight!). If you are storing outside, by all means take them off.
>>> Horizontal or vertical is fine, just don't store them with weight on the
>>> wheels.
>>>
>>> Jackstands can be on the axles (under the spring mounts) or on the frame
>>> with the springs relaxed. You can go either way, I guess I prefer the
>>> frame to let the springs relax and not sag.
>>>
>>> You can get a maintenance charger for the battery and leave it on all
>>> winter. Something like this:
>>> http :// www .harborfreight,com /cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=42292
>>> We normally leave the batteries in the vehicle but for that temp it
>>> wouldn't hurt to bring it in to a cool (10 C to 20 C would be good.)
>>> storage area. Store it on a wood base, use the maintenance charger.
>>>
>>> Plug the exhaust loosely with a rag, keeps the rodents out. Ditto for
>>> the
>>> air intake to the engine and the heater/AC
>>>
>>> Make sure the cover is one that is compatible with the paint. The cheap
>>> ones are nylon, the rain/snow/melt will stick it to the paint quite
>>> nicely. I much prefer tenting it with a blue tarp. Put a 2x4 on the
>>> front
>>> and rear bumpers that supports another one about a foot over the top of
>>> the cab, drape the tarp over the top, anchor it down on each side with
>>> another couple of 2x4's.
>>>
>>> griffin wrote:
>>>> I'm parking my '99 TJ Sport for the winter and would like some advice
>>>> on
>>>> what to do beforehand. Where I live it gets to about -35C with about
>>>> 3-4
>>>> feet of snow cumulative for about a 5-6mth block. Here's what I will be
>>>> doing already:
>>>>
>>>> 1. Taking the tires off and storing them in the shed or outside but
>>>> under
>>>> poly, lying on their sides and stacked (is this recommended?) They are
>>>> 32"
>>>> procomp mud's on chrome rims.
>>>>
>>>> 2. Setting the Jeep on 4 axle stands (any particular spots I should set
>>>> them
>>>> on?). I'll be putting cinder blocks under as well for added security.
>>>> What
>>>> is the recommended method for all of this?
>>>>
>>>> 3. Getting a full car cover and covering the whole thing.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I've also got neoprene seat covers. Should these be stored inside for
>>>> the
>>>> winter or will they be OK? Any special precautions for my battery,
>>>> winch,
>>>> connections, etc?
>>>>
>>>> What about fluids, gas tank, etc?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks!
>>>>
>
> --
>
> Monroe