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Old 07-26-2005, 10:47 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Columbia, CT
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winterizing my diesel question

I am a new owner of a cream puff 1980 240d and will not be driving it during the winter. Do I need to do anything special to winterize it while it sits in my garage through a harsh Connecticut winter, i.e. such as adding fuel stabilizer, ect ?

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Old 07-27-2005, 06:04 AM
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There is an additive used in jet fuel called Prist (seach google: "prist fuel additive") Cost about ten bucks a can. Works well with diesel fuel. It prevents icing as well as molds and slime from growing in the fuel.
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Old 07-27-2005, 07:35 AM
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Assuming your garage is not heated and is close to outside temps you needn't worry about fungus or algea growing in the fuel. Diesel fuel, which is more of an oil, unlike gasoline, is shelf stable for months or even years and needs no additional stabilizers. In warmer weather growing algea or fungus is a concern but they don't grow in cold weather. The best thing to do is run it to nearly empty and fill it with winter blend diesel before storing it. If you're not sure you can add an anti-gel additive which will help keep the fuel fluid in cold weather but if you fill it after say October your fuel will already be blended for winter use.

I would simply try and start it up every couple of weeks and run it to operating temps just to keep everything lubed and keep the battery charged. If the garage is too cold to allow it to start then I would pull the battery out and put it in the warm house and put it on a trickle charger, then when you put it in the car it will start easily. On dry days take it for a spin around the neighborhood to keep the tires round and do nothing more than that.

If you insist on not running it all winter then you might try and turn the engine by hand in the spring before cranking it, just in case the piston rings get stuck (though that's not too likely). These cars, like all cars, like to be driven and run, not sit unused. It's better for them to run them every couple of weeks than let them sit around.
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Old 07-27-2005, 11:15 AM
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Since about 80 percent of engine wear over the life of a typical car is during cold start and warmup, DO NOT start a stored car, but DO proper short term storage prep:

1. Wash the car and detail as you see fit.

2. Increase tire pressure to the maximum placarded on the sidewall or at least 35 psi.

3. Change the oil and filter just before storage. Change the brake fluid and antifreeze if they will expire during storage.

4. Fill with fresh fuel

5. Disconnect or remove the battery. Charge it once a month or keep a Battery Tender installed.

6. Cover the car with a breatheable cover.

7. Protect the car and storage area from rodents - use traps under/around the car and place poison in the engine compartment, interior, and trunk. BY FAR the greatest storage risk is rodents. If possible, inspect for rodent activity at least monthly.

In the spring when you are ready to place the car in service do a general visual inspection looking for leaks or any rodent damage, remove the traps/poison, check fluid levels, install a freshly charged battery, and do a normal cold start.

I've been swapping my '91 MR2 and Merc back and forth about every six months for the last ten year using this process. The Merc is my winter car, and the MR2 is my summer car. Both start right up at the end of storage, and neither has suffered any problems that can be attributed to strorage or lack of storage prep. I don't have to worry about the battery is since I just swap the same 26R back and forth between the two.

Duke

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