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cold weather

Old Jan 14, 2008 | 03:39 PM
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cold weather

I need to store my truck outside and it's -20 or less at night. Are there any suggestions on how to get it ready? I know the antifreeze/water ratio needs to be right. Can anyone think of anything else? Thanks.
 
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Old Jan 14, 2008 | 07:44 PM
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Brian, make sure to take the battery out if it is for long term storage. As the battery gets low the cold will kill it.

Gil
 
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Old Jan 14, 2008 | 07:53 PM
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Make sure the gas tank is full - this will minimize condensation in the tank.
 
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Old Jan 14, 2008 | 07:54 PM
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Actually I`ve heard that warm storage will drain a battery quicker but if it`s run down it will freeze and split the case.
 
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Old Jan 14, 2008 | 07:59 PM
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Originally Posted by 52merc
Make sure the gas tank is full - this will minimize condensation in the tank.
If you do that, and its a good idea, make sure to add fuel stabilizer or you'll have varnish to deal with by summer. Gas rots pretty quick these days.

Run it for a bit after adding the stabilizer so it gets in the lines and into the carb as well.
 
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Old Jan 14, 2008 | 08:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Fomoko1
Actually I`ve heard that warm storage will drain a battery quicker but if it`s run down it will freeze and split the case.
That also true Morris. Best thing to do is put it away and hook up a trickle charger. Concrete floors no longer are a problem on the new plastic cases, but I still put the batt on a piece of wood or rubber as a habit.

Newbldr, why not just drain the rad/block?? If not, test the AF for sure to verify the protection value.
Jon
 
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Old Jan 14, 2008 | 08:10 PM
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If draining the cooling system be sure to drain the block as well as the rad.
Just draining the rad won`t completely drain the block. Be sure the antifreeze is good enough.
 
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Old Jan 14, 2008 | 09:23 PM
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In addition to what's been already said, I roll my tires over blocks of old plywood so that come Springtime, they don't sink in and rut up the yard.
 
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Old Jan 14, 2008 | 09:59 PM
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The cooling system is rated to -20 and the tank is full with fuel stabilizer added to it. Thanks for the help. I love the help I get from ya'll!
 
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Old Jan 14, 2008 | 10:07 PM
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I'd suggest that you move to Florida or So Cal!!!!! Sorry....... From my NY experiences, I'd put in pure antifreeze, fill up the tank and add some "stabil" and some dry gas, and then if it runs start it once a week, or whenever you expect it to get really cold. If it doesn't run, take the battery out.

Good luck....hey my dad used to put a blanket on his car's engine while it was still warm......sounds whacky to me, but his ol' Ford always started!!!
 
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Old Jan 14, 2008 | 10:35 PM
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Originally Posted by jreilly57
I'd suggest that you move to Florida or So Cal!!!!! Sorry....... From my NY experiences, I'd put in pure antifreeze, fill up the tank and add some "stabil" and some dry gas, and then if it runs start it once a week, or whenever you expect it to get really cold. If it doesn't run, take the battery out.

Good luck....hey my dad used to put a blanket on his car's engine while it was still warm......sounds whacky to me, but his ol' Ford always started!!!
NO NO, Never ever use pure anti freeze. Oddly enough, the freeze point of anti-freeze is higher than a 50/50 mix of AF and water. My pop told me this many years back and I said "bull" . Well, I finally called Union Carbide and it is true. I since learned that this info was on the labels at one time. I also did a test btwn pure and mixed and the pure jelled up faster. How ironic is that?? Anti that freezes unless you add the fluid that it keeps from freezing.

The blanket thing DOES work and is still in use here, and the move to CA or FL is something I would like to do.
Jon
 

Last edited by CIAF; Jan 14, 2008 at 10:38 PM.
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Old Jan 15, 2008 | 12:30 AM
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A timely topic as it is now a brisk -40* up here if Fairbanks, AK. FYI, the best mixture for freeze protection with ethylene glycol is 60/40. See http://www.gi.alaska.edu/ScienceForum/ASF6/680.html for a good article on what CIAF is talking about, with a graph. Propylene glycol (RV antifreeze), however, is best at 100%.

Can't say I've ever tried the blanket trick, just plugged the car in. I would guess that 95% of the cars up here have plug ins and all good employers supply power to their employees (Wal-Mart, McD's and even the student parking lots at the high schools). My truck has a glued on pad on the oil pan, transmission pan and a heated freeze plug, sucks 750 watts in all.

Anyway, thought you'd all like to hear what us northerners do in the cold, it's somewhat on topic... Also trying to scare you people off from moving up, getting too crowded up here as it is.
 
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Old Jan 15, 2008 | 01:14 AM
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Well, you don't have to worry about me and the fam' moving to AK. I've never lived as far north as I am now. I'm a GA guy. Even spend time in AZ. I just don't do the cold weather thing. It's not me.
 
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Old Jan 15, 2008 | 08:38 AM
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best thing to do , keep driving it . i and twise do here in illinois . and you'll get used to the cold eventually ., someday , maybe ..........
 
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Old Jan 15, 2008 | 02:24 PM
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Thank you Alaskan. Sometimes I have all this trivial knowledge in my head but no solid data in front of me at times. Since you were so forthcoming with this important data, I hereby promise to never move to Alaska. LOL, Love to take a cruise to Denali on Ship/Train, but the ol lungs are no match. Thanks again.
Jon
 
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