I am wondering what people are doing for winter storage of their Zs in the Toronto area.

Prep ideas?
Good locations?

Chris M

 

Thats a good question. With my bike I use to just change the oil and lube everything up. I also would take the terminal off the battery so it wouldn't get drained. I also would start it once every month to keep things moving. Now with my Z I'm keeping it in a heated garage so I guess I'll do all the same things. If anyone can add to this, please do. I know gas can go bad; is there any king of additive that can be added to it or should we keep our tank close to empty for storage?

Thanks

 

As for storage if you don't have a garage to keep the car in, maybe check out a self storage place if its not to much$$$.

 

I have been told full tank of gas, its good for 6 months with the stuff Petro Canada puts in, and 2" foam blocks to drive the car up on, keeps the tires round and plastic under the car, keeps the mositure from the concrete from rusting the underside. Also I was told not to start the car unless I was going to take it our for a run.

cheers,

 

For mine last year I got the oil changed, filled the tank (I've heard something about a stabilizer you can add... didn't do it myself), filled the tires to 40psi, threw on a few coats of Zaino, covered her up and that was it. I went out and started her once a month.. let her run until the engine acheived operating temp., pumped the brakes a few times and shut her down.... the foam is a great idea... I'll probably to that this winter.... hope that helps....

Cheers!

 

This is what I did to mine when I put her away last year

- Changed the oil
- Filled the tank up and put a bottle of Stabil in it
- Parked the car over a plastic tarp to avoid concrete moisture
- Put the car up on Jack stands and stored the rims and tires
- Greased all of the rubber seals
- Disconnected the battery
- Put a car cover over it and placed a few moth ***** around the car

Yes I know it is a bit excessive but it was still funt o do it. I even keep a record of what is done each year to store it

Good luck

 

We bikers do the winter storage thing pretty well. The common items seem to be:

1) Change the oil to remove acids and water. You want it stored with clean oil.

2) Add fuel stabilizer and fill the tank. Stabilizer prevents varnishes and sludge from forming. Then run it enough to get the stabilizer in the fuel lines and injectors.

3) Remove plugs, spray in a fogging oil, crank engine a few turns, replace plugs. This will prevent moisture/rust in the cylinders. This step REALLY helps engine life! Cylinders are BONE dry (no oil inside) so ANY moisture can cause rust. Rust + Rings + Friction = BAD. Fogging oil comes in a spray can with a spray straw.

(Caution: Fogging oil contains propane. Be sure there is no cloud when you crank it! Don't ask how I know this.)

4) Cover the intake and exhaust to prevent air from cycling in and out. This reduces condensation and blocks spider webs / rodents / etc. I use plastic bags held on with rubber bands over the exhaust and air intake.

5) Wax all the nice surfaces to protect them.

6) Put the battery on a battery tender to prevent it from discharging which can ruin a battery or shorten its life.

As for the tires I would just put blocks under the suspension to keep the tires off the ground (if you are worried about the tires).

Or you could just release the hand brake and roll it a few feet every month. Use a little chalk mark to avoid using the same spot twice.

I am not sure why some people start the car once and a while. Is it to keep the battery charged? With a bike I don't touch it until spring. If I started the car I would have to re-fog the cylinder. No thanks.

 

I stored my Z from last November until April. I did the following:

1. Filled my fuel tank.

2. Changed my oil.

3. Inflated my tire pressures to about 40lbs. each.

4. Disconnected my battery.

I never ran the car at all and experienced no problems starting it up in the spring. Also, if you are going to store and are going to disconnect your battery, ensure that you read the owners manual and follow the procedure exactly. Remember that if you disconnect the battery in the wrong order, your window(s) may contact the window frame.

Cheers,
Sherman

 

Contacted Nissan Canada, and their recommendations were pretty simple:

1) Fuel stabilizer
2) Get the car up off the suspension/tires
3) Start once per month