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Starting while in storage

5606 Views 105 Replies 40 Participants Last post by JRod310, 3 mo ago

Action man

Discussion Starter · 5 mo ago

Question,I put my HC Challenger in storage for the winter.I did all the prep: full tank of fuel with sta-bil,inflated the tires and put it up on ramps(race ready)etc.should I start it and let it run periodically or leave it sit and wait till I get it out in the spring?

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21 - 40 of 106 Posts

WVHEMIS

· #21 · 5 mo ago

Stabil, trickle charge no starts unless it leaves the garage. Just dumping a bunch of unburned crap into the oil...

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B5Blue6M

· #22 · 5 mo ago

Slidd said:
You can powerbrake a little, now not crazy, I'm talking 800-900 rpm and that won't hurt a thing, even moving it in the garage back and forth will help get it warmed up. Probably will take a good 20-25 minutes to get the oil up to temp, oil temp now, don't look at the coolant temp.

And run your a/c compressor every time you start it like Dodge says.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Powerbrake? Or.....just leave in park?

B5Blue6M

· #23 · 5 mo ago

MXS67454 said:
The car doesn't know if it was run yesterday or 4 mo ago.. let it be..I've been storing cars for over 40 years during midwest winters in heated and ambient buildings and have never started any of them until the weather and the roads were good. never had an issue. treat the fuel and a trickle charger or take the battery out.

Wrong. The longer it sits, the longer the oil has dripped off everything and left mating surfaces.

Jimmy N.

· #24 · 5 mo ago

B5Blue6M said:
Wrong. The longer it sits, the longer the oil has dripped off everything and left mating surfaces.

So maybe I should start mine a couple of times a day, then?

Reactions: 3

MXS67454

· #25 · 5 mo ago (Edited)

B5Blue6M said:
Wrong. The longer it sits, the longer the oil has dripped off everything and left mating surfaces.

Oil doesn't drip after an hour or so and there's always a film left behind. build a few engines and let's talk again.

Reactions: 4

GOING TO HELL 19

· #26 · 5 mo ago

I've always heard one of the hardest things on a motor is the cold start. So why do it if you don't have to? After 4 months, do you want several cold starts on the car are none during that period? Let it sit unless you are going to drive it.

Reactions: 2

B5Blue6M

· #27 · 5 mo ago (Edited)

Jimmy N. said:
So maybe I should start mine a couple of times a day, then?

Um no, that level of frequency isn't needed and never said it was, good try at being a smart a$$ though, "Jimmy" lol.

MXS67454 said:
Oil doesn't drip after an hour or so and there's always a film left behind. build a few engines and let's talk again.

Really!? You mean oil isnt like water and leave completely!? Wow, what new and insightful information! Only an engine builder like yourself would know this I'm sure. Everyone knows this, however, over time, there is less, and breaks down. There are other good reasons to start as well as the engine itself is not the only moving thing, water pump, fuel pump, etc. I'm confused then, if there is no point ever, where it's a good idea to start, what if it sat 25 years then? Just fire it right up after that time?

This logic is so confusing, if your engine is fully lubricated after an hour, a month, year, and multiple years, why would it matter if you start it, or not start it then?

GOING TO HELL 19 said:
I've always heard one of the hardest things on a motor is the cold start. So why do it if you don't have to? After 4 months, do you want several cold starts on the car are none during that period? Let it sit unless you are going to drive it.

That is really what is in question, the frequency. You are right cold start is the worst, so that's the question at what frequency is prudent. At 4 months time I would not start it either. Being in a cold state, I store sometimes for 6-7 months, so sometimes on a 35-40 degree day I will start once and get to operating temperature and yes run the AC as someone here suggested as does Dodge. If I was going to store longer than this, then I definitely would as well once or twice a year.

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Reactions: 1

Jimmy N.

· #28 · 5 mo ago

I may have to rethink my storage strategy, as it seems too simple as is.

First, install a block heater and put one of those electric oil pan heaters underneath. Then hook up an electric oil pump so there's a constant flow of at least luke warm oil.

Of course, none of that does the water pump, fuel pump, etc. any good. Maybe the best would be to run a hose from one of my gas storage tanks and down the filler neck.That way I could leave it running the entire time it's being stored.

About the only drawback would be that engines don't like to idle for prolonged periods, but I could probably raise the rpm to about 1,200 or so, using AlfaOBD. Hopefully I'll have it figured out before next winter.

Reactions: 2

B5Blue6M

· #29 · 5 mo ago

Jimmy N. said:
I may have to rethink my storage strategy, as it seems too simple as is.

First, install a block heater and put one of those electric oil pan heaters underneath. Then hook up an electric oil pump so there's a constant flow of at least luke warm oil.

Of course, none of that does the water pump, fuel pump, etc. any good. Maybe the best would be to run a hose from one of my gas storage tanks and down the filler neck.That way I could leave it running the entire time it's being stored.

About the only drawback would be that engines don't like to idle for prolonged periods, but I could probably raise the rpm to about 1,200 or so, using AlfaOBD. Hopefully I'll have it figured out before next winter.

Ahhh "Jimmy." Unable you understand anything more complicated than a yes or no answer huh? Sarcasm get you to this point in your life? Hey you do you man, and great argument above, you really showed me and brought value to the forum!

hellcatbruh

· #30 · 5 mo ago

Whats wrong with letting the engine idle every now and again? I have heard mixed opinions on this

frictioncircle

· #31 · 5 mo ago

Its about being able to atomize any water in the gas/oil circulating as over time and the cold start seems to be good for the ears but bad for the mind..

Reactions: 2

B5Blue6M

· #32 · 5 mo ago

frictioncircle said:
Its about being able to atomize any water in the gas/oil circulating as over time and the cold start seems to be good for the ears but bad for the mind..

How can water get into a full tank? Liquid can be compressed? Water survives one revelution of an engine? Tell us more!

frictioncircle

· #33 · 5 mo ago

there is always water in everything..

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B5Blue6M

· #34 · 5 mo ago

frictioncircle said:
there is always water in everything..

That damn water. Does it matter then if the water is old or new?

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frictioncircle

· #35 · 5 mo ago

haha or wet... 🥴

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ITS BLWN

· #36 · 5 mo ago

If you cant get all fluids to operating temps, not worth just starting up to just start it up!
Believe you me, cant wait for the WI winter to be done with.

Old man Winter can kick rocks down the alley! (WI Winter - UGG LOL)

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520kW

· #37 · 5 mo ago

I have been winter storing my cars for 45 years, and never have I been able to drive mine for the first 2 weeks in a Wisconsin January. I know winter will come at some point, but it's going to be a short one.

Reactions: 3

Moorefamily2000

· #38 · 5 mo ago

Best for the car, it's debatable... for me? I have it on a battery tender. But I fire it up a few times a month, smile with the cold start, smoke a cigar enjoying the sound and then shut'r down. I bought the car for my enjoyment 😎

Reactions: 4

Gotgap

· #39 · 5 mo ago

520kW said:
I have been winter storing my cars for 45 years, and never have I been able to drive mine for the first 2 weeks in a Wisconsin January. I know winter will come at some point, but it's going to be a short one.

It’s nice for once, right…I can get used to this weather

slicks

· #40 · 5 mo ago

Do not start your car till spring....just leave it !! If you start it you wont be able to get it hot enough....then comes condensation in the exhaust which just leads to rust !!!
But hey to each there own

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