Winter Storage Prep....??

[Matt84]

Hello all,

I'm gearing up for putting my bus into storage for the winter, it's going to be living in a big warehouse rather than a small garage - thought that may be a better option as plenty of air gets around it. Eventhough it's going to be sitting indoors should I put a cover over it?

Jus wondering if there is anything I need to consider, I have to drive the bus (around 30mins) to the unit, once there what should I be doing with;

Engine Oil?

Fuel?

Tyres?

Windows?

Interior? (Maybe a condensation catcher thingy?!) - It's a Westy by the way

New to all this so any info would be welcome

Thanks

Matt

 

[geenjay]

i would give her an oil change, so if you run her up through winter its nice fresh oil in there ,if youre not going to turn a wheel all winter, try and put her on axle stands ..stops flat spots on the tyres, get some vaseline and put it on any exposed metal, ie stone chips. wd 40 for door locks, hinges, etc ,and a good spray around the engine bay when youve turned her off for the last time, including the ht leads, coil ,and exposed terminals, carb linkage /springs. if its in a warehouse then perhaps a dust cover that way air can get round her but it wont get coverd in dust..and give her a good bath before she goes including under the wheel arches and uderside of the engine ..hope this helps.. :mrgreen:

 

[Doris]

Defo go with the condensation catcher. Some caravaners leave a couple of bowls of salt out on the table over winter as it absorbs the moisture and is dirt cheap.i'd leave minimal fuel in the tank as well as I believe petrol can 'go off' as well as the above.

 

[Matt84]

Thanks for the replies,

The fuel issue is the one confusing me some say, leave minimal in, whilst other say fill her right up to prevent condensation within the tank, I think I'll just lave a small amount in and leave the cap off to prevent the condensation, I'll crack a few windows for the same reason.

Should I disconnect the battery? I'm guessing if I'm leaving it for six months then it will go flat either way?

Matt

 

[ozziedog]

I think if you`re going to leave your bus for more than a month, I`d take the battery off and take it home with me and keep it somewhere warmish and trickle it once a month. Batterys do not like cold and do not like being flat. Very minimum, I`d take the earth lead off. If you are gonna run it every couple of weeks then it`s not so bad :mrgreen: WD40 on all the exposed bit`s and pieces like chrome etc as it`s all getting older and thinner :shock: Especially them summer chrome type hubcaps etc Axle stands as allready mentioned unless you`re gonna run it or roll it every so often.

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,,,Pop up and say hello to your bus every now and then :mrgreen: :lol: :mrgreen:

P.S. A bus is for life,,, not just for summer

 

[madjack]

One thing to check is that having thy bus in the unit is there any insurance issues some insurance companies can get upset if the contents is not normally a car with petrol in it

 

[Clem]

Give it a good wash and wax before you put it away and try and move in on a dry day! If its put away wet then try and go back after a few days airing (maybe with the roof up) and then cover it.
I assume its in a dry warehouse, so if its clean and polished then it shouldnt need any other protection measures if its having a cover on it (reccomended).
Your van is well waxed too so dont worry about that!
I wouldnt reccomend starting it up, leave it be if youre not getting it up to full operating temperature, take the battery off and trickle charge at home. Axle stands are a good call if its possible, but for a relatively short term then its not vital, crack some windows open, remove all perishables and consider taking out soft furnishings, curtains etc (mice love 'em). Leave it in gear with the handbrake off, and really, thats about it.

You can look out on nights when its pissing down, or when the roads are covered in gritty slush, and not be sad.

 

[Matt84]

Thanks all,

Quite comprehensive!

I think that's the main thing Clem - I'd feel so guilty if I left her out in the snow etc.. all winter, plus, I got the storage for a good price so everyone's a winner!

 

[Merlydog]

Hey Matt, glad you found somewhere matey Is it local? I almost lost my dry storage the other day as the guys who let me put it in their double garage split up and were going to be moving out eeeekk! Thank goodness though they made up last week and are giving it another go. Phew, let's hope it last till least summer lol!! :lol:
I've got to take my engine out... Again... Long story.. Can you make Sunday to Stafford? I'm taking a cruise up there? :mrgreen:

 

[Matt84]

Hey Sarah,

Afraid I can't make Sunday - got to work, was going to go though, seemed a great cause.

It's not too far, in Wolverhampton, the old bus depot - they have CCTV and 24hr security so it's actually lowered my insurance costs!

Good job the couple are giving it another try - hope they took you and the welfare of your bus into consideration! :lol:

Let me know when you're dropping you're engine again, or PM me - no doubt I'll be at work again though, I'm convinced our shift managers have it in for VWs!!