Re: Outdoor Packard winter storage

Posted by JWL On 2009/9/12 11:14:02

Dave, you have received much good advice from the previous postings. I would like to help by adding the following.


I would fill the gas tank and treat the fuel with Sta-Bil, or equivalent, gas treatment, and run the engine to circulate the treated gas through out the system.

I would remove the battery and store it in the garage.

I would loosen the drive belts so there is no tension on them.

I would have the car on jack stands placed supporting the suspension, not the frame, and remove the tires and store them in the garage.

I would change the oil and filter after running the engine to circulate the treated fuel.

I would get a good outdoor rated car cover. There are many good outdoor car covers available. They are not inexpensive, but should protect your car.

I would place a tarp under the car, as has already been suggested, to keep moisture from harming the underside of the car.

I would plug the tail pipe, as has already been suggested, to keep rodents out of the exhaust system.

I would have the doors open slightly, to the first stop on the latch, to relieve pressure on the weather stripping and allow for some air circulation in the cabin. This, to me, is better than just having the windows opened slightly, as suggested earlier.

I think if you do all of this you will have protected your car while stored outside and it will be ready for another season of Packard driving.

Placing some moth balls in the trunk and cabin would be a good idea.

I know I have outlined a lot of things to do, but they could all be accomplished in a couple of hours.

Good luck.