Date:         Mon, 6 Oct 2003 08:34:52 -0700
Reply-To:     Sean Garrett <SEAN.GARRETT@ASU.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Sean Garrett <SEAN.GARRETT@ASU.EDU>
Subject:      Re: winterizing
Content-type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Funny this thread came up, I am just getting the Westy (81) ready for camping season here in Central AZ. It has just cooled off enough to start camping in the desert areas.

Anyone else in Central AZ or S. CA interested in some camping trips out here ?

Sean Garrett
81 Westy (his)
87 Syncro (Subie project)
95 EVC (hers)
Central Arizona





> -----Original Message-----
> From: Daniel Stevens [mailto:dosteven@SYR.EDU]
> Sent: Monday, October 06, 2003 7:27 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: winterizing
> 
> 
> just a friendly remiinder to everyone getting ready for 
> winter and some of us already there (saw heavy snows in Utah).. 
> 
> 
> putting your van up for winter storage a few pointers... 
> 
> 
> the front fresh air grill behind the upper rad grill, mice 
> can get thru here and ruin your heater core never get the 
> stink out. create a better blockage with $5 in hardware cloth/wire. .
> 
> the places the plumbing passes thru the body, get some 
> plumbers putty, it'll last for years and mice really don't 
> want to chew thru it.. 
> 
> your engine intake, either a screen gaurd with hardware cloth 
> in the aircleaner intake, or a few of the SS brillo pads and 
> a BIG YELLO POST-IT to keep critters from livin ontop your 
> aircleaner for the winter.
> 
> your Flue vents..  though it's quite high, you will be 
> surprised how high a mouse can jump to get thru a hole 
> smaller then you'd think they could fit.. 
> I saw a nice cover made from a near exact fir tupperware bowl 
> and a bolt/wingnut.. 
> 
> same thing goes for your Exhaust pipe, mice CAN and will jump 
> into here, and it's a grand lil hotel .. 
> 
> place a 5x7 steno note with all your winterizing items so you 
> don't forget to remove them in the spring.. after all we 
> can't put red and yelo flags like the airforce does for 
> planes in storage/hanger
> 
> gas stabilizer,  nuff said
> 
> gas antifreeze so that the water still in there doesn't sit 
> and create bad internal rust. 
> 
> a thourough car wash. many rust check places (ziebart here) 
> have lifts and pressure washing services..  not a bad time to 
> get it undercoated again (does need to be refreshed every few 
> years anyways)
> 
> cover the windshield. to save from hail damage.. an ounce of 
> preventon is worth.. 
> 
> armor all the sidewalls of the tires.. well your preferred 
> rubber proctant. 
> 
> this is a good time to give fresh wax to the paint and care 
> for the poptop, possibly inspect closely your windshield 
> seals for bubbbles under the seal.. 
> 
> your fresh/grey water tanks.. and LINES.  a frozen sink trap 
> is more then an ounce of antifreeze (RV type for water systems. ) 
> 
> if you have theoutside space and it's not an eye sore, a van 
> sized car cover is years more life to the body.. keep the 
> grass from underneath, it promotes moisture on the body/frame 
> (esp EXHAUSTS)  and contact with grass creates an 
> electrolosis reaction and corrodes body/exhaust parts 
> quicker.  KILL the LAWN  not the VAN
> 
> Add in and share your personal winterizing tips with the group. 
>