Date: Mon, 6 Oct 2003 09:09:39 -0700
Reply-To: zolo <zolo@FOXINTERNET.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: zolo <zolo@FOXINTERNET.NET>
Subject: Re: winterizing
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Hi guys,
Personally, I think, the best way to winterize is to drive the van into a
big bag, close the end, such out the air with a vacuum cleaner and that's
it. Of course, you would take your battery out and put in a "driezair" that
will get all the ramaining moisture out.
One can purchase different thickness of the nylon drops at Home Depot with
different length and width. You would have to make a tube or just wrap the
van with it completely. If you make a tube, you would have to use something
better than duct tape to join the two sides together. Duct tape perishes
fast in water. There has to be some kind of better tape in this country,
although despite my looking out for one, there must be one at a more serious
supplier.
Well, I am really just barnstorming and thinking out loud.
Anyone has something similar idea?
I based my idea on the fact that for rust you need air and water, or at
least moisture. So, whatever air remains in there should be without
moisture, therefore I would install the "driezair" which is also from Home
D.
Zoltan
Any addition would be welcome.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Daniel Stevens" <dosteven@SYR.EDU>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, October 06, 2003 7:27 AM
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.
