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Do I need to start it?

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Do I need to start it?

Posted: 1/26/07 7:18amMessage 1 of 7
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Eagleville, PA - USA
Joined: 11/1/2001
Posts: 27346
Vette(s): Used to own a 1979 Corvette now owned by JB79
While my car is in storage for 3 months, is there any need or value in starting it periodically?  If so, how often should I do it, and how long should I let it run?

Is there anything else I need to do to it during storage?

Thanks!

-Adam Wartell
NCM Lifetime Member #1222
Founder: Vette Registry 

My first Vette, now owned by JB79:

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Do I need to start it?

Posted: 1/26/07 8:02amMessage 2 of 7
R
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Montesano, WA - USA
Joined: 9/27/2003
Posts: 1931
Vette(s): had a really nice one. sold it to a good friend. Purchased 2004 custom coupe in Feb. 2009 did not tell anyone here until August 2009. BAD I KNOW.
I am not expert, but i have always heard unless you are going to actually drive it for 20 to 30 minutes just starting it and warming it up is actually worst for your ride because it creates moister in the exhaust system and things like that, moving it is betteer because you are lubing and keeping your drive train lubrecated. by i am no expert. larry
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Do I need to start it?

Posted: 1/26/07 8:39amMessage 3 of 7
C
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Mason, MI - USA
Joined: 11/27/2005
Posts: 95
Vette(s): 1982 Charcoal Coupe, 1993 Bright Aqua Metallic Coupe, 2004 LeMans Blue Commemorative Edition Coupe
Like mentioned, it's best to let it be if it can't be run (more than idle) until it is fully warmed up. Idling before warming completely is very hard on the cat converter, too - let alone all the moisture that collects in the exhaust system and crankcase. Three months isn't that long (except here in Michigan when it is zero outWink
 
Do, however, pump the brakes at least once a month to keep the caliper piston seals flexed. I also roll mine forward or back once a month to prevent only one flat spot on my tiresLOL
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Do I need to start it?

Posted: 1/26/07 9:03amMessage 4 of 7
w
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Roseland, NJ - USA
Joined: 12/4/2003
Posts: 966
Vette(s): 1974, 454 with 4 on the floor, matching numbers.
Adam,
I heard the same thing, unless you're going to drive it a bit there doesn't seem to be any benefit to it.
Mine stays locked up for the same period of time, when I start it up in late March or early spring, I let it warm up and take it slow for the next 20 miles or so. Then I change the fluids.
 
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Do I need to start it?

Posted: 1/26/07 11:20amMessage 5 of 7
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Greensburg, IN - USA
Joined: 9/24/2003
Posts: 5387
Vette(s): Previous: 1984 Coupe, 1988 Maroon Coupe, 1989 Coupe, 2001 Roadster Present: 1967 Stingray Roadster, 1976 Stingray Coupe, 1989 Roadster..
I don't start mine unlss I'm gonna drive it. That being said it has set idle most of the winter for th past 5 years. Never had any problems (knock on wood) except for the battery finally died.
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Do I need to start it?

Posted: 1/26/07 3:54pmMessage 6 of 7
C
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Alice Springs, Australia
Joined: 5/6/2004
Posts: 535
Vette(s): 71 Coupe Black on Black
If you warm it up to operating temperature you're not going to have moisture problems.
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Do I need to start it?

Posted: 1/26/07 5:08pmMessage 7 of 7
C
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Mason, MI - USA
Joined: 11/27/2005
Posts: 95
Vette(s): 1982 Charcoal Coupe, 1993 Bright Aqua Metallic Coupe, 2004 LeMans Blue Commemorative Edition Coupe
[QUOTE=Chips58]If you warm it up to operating temperature you're not going to have moisture problems.[/QUOTE]
 
I agree, BUT, you really should drive it to warm it up. If you start a cold system and let it idle until it warms up, you can do significant damage to the cat converter because it does not get hot enough fast enough to do it's job efficiently and can start to clog (see GM's warmup recommendations in the factory service manuals where it discusses similar idling when servicing the AC). Also, a lot of moisture collects in the exhaust system that doesn't really get blown out or dried up by running in the driveway. Our problem here in the north is we can't (won't) take our cars out on the salty, slushy roads and warm them properly. Therefore, in our cases, it's better to leave them alone. A few months of unuse indoors isn't going to do any harm. Keep the brakes flexed and the mice out. Roll em forward one month, and back the next to avoid flat spots. Get a good battery maintainer. Pray for an early springLOL
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