BRZ stored for the winter...should I check in on it?

[pkolanko]

I stored my BRZ for the winter in my driveway. Should i be "checking" on it at anytime during storage? If so, what should I be looking for? Battery is on a tender in my basement, cover is on, sta-bil fuel stabilizer in the tank. Should I just let it sit until April? Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by pkolanko

I stored my BRZ for the winter in my driveway. Should i be "checking" on it at anytime during storage? If so, what should I be looking for? Battery is on a tender in my basement, cover is on, sta-bil fuel stabilizer in the tank. Should I just let it sit until April? Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Check for signs of rodents. They love stored cars and can do some serious damage if left to long.

[ItsJay]

Yep, rodents would be the biggest thing and the only thing I had in mind, even thought I blocked off my exhausts. They could crawl up through any small cracks/crevices

[new2subaru]

I had a squirrel (Yes I saw him climbing in and out of the engine bay) do over 1K in damage to wiring including ABS sensors. The bastard was trying to build a mobile home! Tried chasing him off, using moth balls and destroying the nest constantly.

In the end the belt got him!

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by new2subaru

I had a squirrel (Yes I saw him climbing in and out of the engine bay) do over 1K in damage to wiring including ABS sensors. The bastard was trying to build a mobile home! Tried chasing him off, using moth balls and destroying the nest constantly.

In the end the belt got him!

They can be damned persistent when they decide they like someplace. I have watched squirrels and mice pick mothballs up and carry them away. We had an old camper once that had a serious mouse issue every winter. Somebody told us to put bars of Irish Spring soap in it since they didn't like the smell and wouldn't hang out there. We put a bunch of bars around and when we came back in the spring we found them all chewed up. Apparently all we did was provide a nice cozy bed and breakfast. There were so many mice that it must have had great Yelp reviews!

[Spuds]

Want to rent my cat?

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Spuds

Want to rent my cat?

For some reason our neighborhood is totally infested with feral cats with at least 10 roaming around at any given time. Rodent issues are pretty much non existent.

[bee-jay]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Check for signs of rodents. They love stored cars and can do some serious damage if left to long.

I know this all too well. Had the little buggers make a hotel out of my car once, storing it over winter as you have. Ended up removing the entire dashboard and heating/vent duct system to clean out nests, and debris, poo and piss everywhere... took me all summer. The car should have been totaled.

Your best friend would be snap traps set inside with peanut butter as bait and lotsa moth balls around the ground where they can climb up. You'll have to replace moth balls frequently if it's subject to rain snow etc.

you could also do outside poison traps around the area like they do for businesses and offices etc.

I learned the lesson the hard way. I didn't prepare. Don't make the same mistake.

[Summerwolf]

I walked out the other day and a raccoon had gotten in my shed and walked on my car. No other signs of rodents or any other sign of the raccoon but I have footprints on my car now... actually going to start her up today and take it out since the roads are clear and its just cold. Maybe even wash it!

[MRCA1ST]

I have had battery tenders fail, so that is worth checking on. Sticking steel wool in your intake duct will at least ensure they don't eat through your air filter and set up shop in your air box - just make sure to take it out before you fire it back up. and +1 on traps/poison

[venturaII]

When I bought my FR-S, it was barely a year old and had ~11K miles on it. A few weeks after getting it I was poking around under the hood and decided to check out the air filter. To my surprise and disappointment, there was a golf ball sized hole chewed right through the filter material. So much for paying extra for a "Certified Pre-Owned Toyota" when they clearly didn't inspect a thing.

When I park my bikes for the winter, I use steel wool in the exhausts to keep uninvited campers out; you could do the same in the tailpipe AND the airbox snorkle.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by venturaII

When I bought my FR-S, it was barely a year old and had ~11K miles on it. A few weeks after getting it I was poking around under the hood and decided to check out the air filter. To my surprise and disappointment, there was a golf ball sized hole chewed right through the filter material. So much for paying extra for a "Certified Pre-Owned Toyota" when they clearly didn't inspect a thing.

When I park my bikes for the winter, I use steel wool in the exhausts to keep uninvited campers out; you could do the same in the tailpipe AND the airbox snorkle.

Doesn't help with them getting under the hood which is where most like to hang out.

[Leonardo]

Originally Posted by venturaII

When I bought my FR-S, it was barely a year old and had ~11K miles on it. A few weeks after getting it I was poking around under the hood and decided to check out the air filter. To my surprise and disappointment, there was a golf ball sized hole chewed right through the filter material. So much for paying extra for a "Certified Pre-Owned Toyota" when they clearly didn't inspect a thing.

When I park my bikes for the winter, I use steel wool in the exhausts to keep uninvited campers out; you could do the same in the tailpipe AND the airbox snorkle.

That Sucks when you find a rats nest and/or hole in the air filter. I have had this happen many times while living in rural Oregon.




Moisture is a problem where I live too. Even if the car is in a garage, it can get a musty smell. I run a heater in my car for a few hours about once a week to combat the mildew/mold. Don't know if this is an issue.

[Ernest72]

Come on, just drive the car. Its only a Subaru and subies love the winter. Cars that sit have issues.