General Chat
Q:
Im going to be putting my Z in a "temporary" garage that I ordered for most of winter. We dont get snow in the Bay Area (near San Francisco), just rain. It will sit there most of the time, except for maybe a weekend here and there in the nice weather.
I was told to lay spider traps around the car. Thats not a problem. Know where to get those.
Someone also suggest to lay moth balls in a coffee can inside the interior and the engine bay to repel mice??? hmmm
And finally, someone said to get a diessicant (dehumidifyer) for the inside of the car. I need something suitible for the inside of the car that doesnt need to be powered as there will be no power outlet in this thing. What do you use? Links to sites you buy it from? etc.
88 300ZX Turbo Shiro Special (SS): K&N filter, HKS Exhaust.
God created Turbo lag so V8's could stand a chance.
A:
try a car-jacket instead (about $220.) it zips open like a sleeping bag and you drive your car on it. Remove battary, put drying agent (comes with bag) in and outside of the car. follow the rest of the instructions and zip the bag closed. Your Z will look exactly like it did when you put it in (no rust even on the rotors). I've had mine for 6 years and put my Z in a temp garage along side my house in the wet and cold of New England. Worth every dollar.....
A:
You could try this:
http://www.drierite.com/default.cfm?goto_page=page5.cfm
A:
Hey GNOSEZ,
Any chance you remember where you got that or where you might recommend looking for one? Thanks.
John
77280Z (Spooky), 83ZXT (Garage Queen), 86ZXT (Bulldog).
Proud owner of 10/03 Z car of the month.
A:
I had my SD-455 Pontiac in storage the last 2 years in the San Franscico area (temps dropped down to a low of 28 twice only but usually above 36 all winter) and just parked it with a cover on it and that was it. it sat all winter long (2 winters same way) with no trickle charger on it or being started from Oct thru April and it fired right up when i took it out. I never checked on it or did anything special other than cover it up. i think i put it in with only 1/4 tank of gas or less as I thought i was gonna run out on the way to gas station.
i do the same with my Z06 as its not driven in the winter either cept I didnt even put a cover on it. the 240z we fire it up once a month or so but it doesnt get driven much in the winter either.
everyone does it differently i guess and i odnt think it really matters unless it gets really damn cold in other parts of the country.
A:
I followed Gnose's recommendation on the Car Jacket two years ago and agree. Zipping the Z up for winter in its sleeping bag, knowing that rodents and moisure won't be attacking her in the garage, help me sleep easier all winter. Well worth the $230 or so.
Phil
1981 280zxt
5-speed conversion,3.9 R200,Eibach springs,Tokico struts,Energy Suspension,K&N CAI,AutoMeter A/F, Boost, Fuel Gauges,Cusco Strut Bar,Greddy B Spec II boost control,Jeffp 3in mandrel exhaust,Magnaflow,Spearco Cooler, HKS BOV, 10 psi
A:
how long does this Jacket take to put on and off. Im in california so it doesnt rain 24/7. I do plan on taking it out once in awhile for a good drive.
88 300ZX Turbo Shiro Special (SS): K&N filter, HKS Exhaust.
God created Turbo lag so V8's could stand a chance.
A:
Just do a google search for "car jacket". they have them for bikes too. As to how long to remove, less than 10 minutes. A friend stores his collection of cars in them with some being in the bag for more than a year and others for a week or so at a time. No dust, no moisture....
A:
That's a good idea, but wouldn't the room still have to be well ventilated for it to be 100% moisture free even with the jacket on?
85' 300ZX NA
86' 300ZX Turbo
88' 300ZX Turbo
89' 300ZX Turbo
300ZX Turbo Project
A:
I think I've seen them for sale in two catalogs: California Car Cover, and Autosport.
02/1976 280Z
An amateur trying to restore the Z. I should have taken the blue pill!
A:
Non-powered, dry chemical desiccants are available at most any boat/marine supply stores.
1990 2+2 N/A
SHIFT_style
A:
Put plastic sheeting underneath the car (vapor barrier stuff). to stop moisture from the concrete from getting the underside.
Injector Cleaning Service
THE FREE ONLINE INDEPENDENT Z STORE
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A:
More details:
1) plastic on floor
2) lay down car jacket and open
3) put down plastic under engine and drivetrain (drips)
4) drive car on bag (increase tire pressure to 45 lbs)
5) remove battary
6) roll windows down part way
7) put dry-aid in and outside of car
8) check all fluids again (you've changed the oil already and put stablizer in the gas tank)
9) remove coil wire
10) put soft cover on car
11) zip up car jacket bag and put moth balls around it
12) walk away and don't look back....
A:
Gnosez,
I follow all those steps except #9. What does removing the coil wire do?
Also, are you still using the original dry-aid? or have you added to the amount through the years?
Phil
1981 280zxt
5-speed conversion,3.9 R200,Eibach springs,Tokico struts,Energy Suspension,K&N CAI,AutoMeter A/F, Boost, Fuel Gauges,Cusco Strut Bar,Greddy B Spec II boost control,Jeffp 3in mandrel exhaust,Magnaflow,Spearco Cooler, HKS BOV, 10 psi
A:
I take the coil wire off so I can't start the car before I get some oil pressure. And yes, I have added some dri-aid but not much as i bake the old stuff in the oven for 2-3 hours at 200 degrees F.......
A:
Thanks for the response GnoseZ, that's what I thought...
Phil
1981 280zxt
5-speed conversion,3.9 R200,Eibach springs,Tokico struts,Energy Suspension,K&N CAI,AutoMeter A/F, Boost, Fuel Gauges,Cusco Strut Bar,Greddy B Spec II boost control,Jeffp 3in mandrel exhaust,Magnaflow,Spearco Cooler, HKS BOV, 10 psi