Date:         Tue, 12 Jan 1999 13:42:02 EST
Reply-To:     JordanVw@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         JordanVw@AOL.COM
Subject:      Re: AW: Proper Storage of volkswagen vans
Comments: To: M.Kraewinkel@MITUTOYO.DE
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

my winter storage tips (been there done that, know not what do do)
i have just put my '78 westy in hibernation for the winter.

1)  DO NOT STORE YOUR VAN WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ON!!!
(unless you like hammering on your wheels with a metal sledge trying to break
the rust free (BTDT)
put your van in park, or in gear, and chock the wheels w/ bricks/blocks

2) REMOVE YOUR BATTERY(S) FROM YOUR VAN!!!
take your battery out, and keep it in a warm dry area for the winter, in a
plastic rubbermaid box.  batteries tend to leak when theyre not in use (ie
rust out your battery box (BTDT), and whats the sense of keeping it in your
van, its just gonna be dead when spring rolls around.

3) add a can of "Sta-bil" gas line antifreeze, and check the ethelyne glycol
content of your antifreeze (the ability of your antifreeze to stay in liquid
form in subzero temps...(with that big eyedropper thing) proir to storage.

4) if possible - start your van and let it idle till the heater blows warm
air, at least once a month. this will prevent the lifters from bleeding down
too much.

5) get one of those nice big green 15'X24' green or blue waterproof tarps from
Kmart (cost like $15) and cover your van, and tie it underneath. it will keep
rain/snow/sun off your van.
(my friends will tell you, i like those things ;<)


good luck with your hibernation preparation ;<)

chris
allentown, pa
ooohh!!  it's warm today!!!  (35)  ;<)