Date:         Sat, 5 Dec 2009 09:59:26 -0500
Reply-To:     Joseph Doré <josephpdore@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Joseph Doré <josephpdore@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Storing Westy for 8 months
Comments: To: Michael Hart <mjhart853@YAHOO.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <743924.68931.qm@web54306.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes

I added some fuel stabilizer to a full tank of fuel before storing.
Fuel can begin to gel as it gets older so make sure the tank is full
and add stabilizer to keep it fluid.  I used Sta-Bil.

As for the battery, I think it's best to remove it and store it
indoors (not in the freezing cold).  Then put it on a charger for a
few hours before using it next time.

Thanks pretty much all I did.  You can consider rodent/pest problems
and lay some traps or poison if you think it'll be a problem.

Joe
1982 Westfalia Vanagon
Stratford, ON



On 4-Dec-09, at 6:36 PM, Michael Hart wrote:

I'm off on a long trip and need to store my Westy for 8 months. It
will be stored in an unheated garage in the CA Sierra Nevada
(mountains) @ 7,000 foot level, where the temperatures go down to
below 0F. Recommendations on how to prepare the van? (From the recent
thread on antifreeze, it would seem the standard 50-50 blend is
adequate for this & lower temperatures?). Specifically, should I keep
some level of background heat around the engine?; leave batteries on
trickle or solar charge or completely remove & store them?; anything
else to prepare?

Thanks,
Mike
'87 Westy