Question: How should I prep a WRX for outdoor storage until I can tear it apart in the spring? Should I drain the fluids now or leave them? (Some, coolant in particular, may already be drained) Should I cover anything up to prevent rusting or other damage? The car could be in some partially disassembled state, so is there anything in particular that I should be protecting if its abnormally exposed (e.g., no exhaust from the turbo back). Anything else I should be doing?
hey bro, my friend might be open to letting you rent a corner of his heated garage. PM me if you're interested and I'll check with him
if you don't get a heated garage space for it, draining the fluids sounds practical. A car cover seems ideal aswell
I figured I cover it with some kind of tarp or something. Mainly, I'm worried about things rusting in places they shouldn't, especially that may be exposed that wouldn't normally be.
brakes will rust within a matter of days of not having normal use, if you're talking about engine parts they won't rust as long as they aren't exposed to any salt or extreme amounts of snow. Opening the hood and covering the vitals generously with a water proof tarp should do the trick. And with the hood covering it too I don't think it will be much of an issue
exactly. And the more you cover everything up, the more the animals will like it. If it was me and it has to sit outside, I would throw a good tarp over it to keep the water out. And let me explain that. A good tarp, not one of those cheap ass blue things. The weight of the snow come spring time when it melts will make any sharp point below the tarp poke right through it. The you will have a VERY convenient place for all the water to drain. From there, I would pull the battery and throw a bunch of moth balls under the car and around the wheels and such. Mice (and most other critters) do not like moth balls. Russ
well I would just make sure anything you opened up or took off the engine was covered, like if you pulled plugs, head, what ever. I would NOT tarp the car because it's going to hold water under it and it's going to freeze to the paint, thats up to you. I have stored many summer cars outside over my years and never had any issues. Brakes and tires will be fine. My 2cents
The only fluid that will break down in that amount of time is the gas. Oil and coolant will not freeze if they are not old and abused. A car cover will keep rain and snow off, but when the sun comes out it will hold alot of moisture in spring. Same for under hood. The surface you park the car on may also retain moisture, so any exposed metal surface will start to oxidize. It is good advice to seal open exhaust or intake to keep out pests like mice or bugs as well as water. Don't park it under a tree. Leaves, branches, seeds,...will also collect and retain moisture and begin to rot. I have also parked cars outside all winter with no real issues. My $.02
I stored my old camaro for a week in the fall a few years back, and when I drove it when I got back i found a nest and dog food nicely tucked under the intake manifold. I found out when the smell of hair and dog food made me look under the hood. Watch out for critters!
