Winter Storage of FX3

[93Rubie]

So is there any agreement on what is best to do for winter. Last winter I left my FX3 hooked up and when I did start the car, I did not like the nasty sounds that emulated from the actuators. I am thinking that since the actuator gears are plastic and shock oil is thick when cold, it might be good for longevity to disconnect the system for winter storage. Is this a bad or good idea? Any cons to not moving the shock actuators all winter?

I know that they can rebuilt actuators with aluminum gears but that is more money spent. A ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

 

[Hib Halverson]

Shock oil doesn't "thicken" during the winter such that one needs to remove the shock actuators.

When you key up, if you hear "nasty sounds" coming from the tops of the front shocks, considering your car is now 17 years old, either your actuators are already damaged, the gears on the tops of the shocks are damaged or the shocks have a problem such that the bypass valves do not turn freely. In any of those cases, your SRC system needs service.

You can find some service information here:
C4 Corvette's Selective Ride Control

The rest is in your factory service manual.

 

[93Rubie]

Let me correct myself and clarify. They work normally, no codes, lights,etc...I just noticed that last winter they seemed very noisy in comparison to when the temps are much more moderate (above 50 degrees). Below that and on key up they seem noisier than normal. At any rate, as the saying, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

 

[Hib Halverson]

Pull the actuators and attempt to turn the knurled ends of the bypass valves. They should turn freely or with a low level of resistance.

If they are hard to turn and the shocks have been in service for a while, there may be problems with the shocks.

 

[93Rubie]

Will do Hib, thanks. Another task to add to my project list. Never a bad thing.

 

[redvett]

If your not driving the car at least 15-20 miles do not start it up during the winter, running a cool engine causes condensation in the crankcase and exhaust system. Put a battery tender on it and cover it up till spring.

 

[Hib Halverson]

There is no problem with starting the engine occasionally during the winter as long as you run it long enough that the oil temperature....not the coolant but the oil...warms to it's normal operating level. To do this may mean letting the engine idle for 15-20 minutes.

The better choice is to pick a day where the roads are dry and drive the car until the oil temp is at operating level.

 

[93Rubie]

I do start on warmer days and let run for like and hour or until the cooling fans cycle 3 times, which ever occurs first. Oil and coolant get very warm.

I cannot just pull out and drive the car. Its in my barn on a hill and a total PITA to get out. My Vette gets more off road action to and from the winter storage site than many trucks and SUV's. I never touch the ground with the bottom either. Just smart driving to not touch and some ramps.

Barn actually worked really good last year, no rodents, knock on wood, the rotors did not even rust a bit, still shiny after sitting for 5 months, no problems, lets hope this off season goes as well.