General Wintering the B

[Paulr999]

So I've had to eat breakfast indoors 2 days in a row, the kids are back at school and the Bricos are all displaying wood burners and heaters so that must mean winter is on its way...

So what do I have to do to the B when the inevitable cold and wet weather comes ( apart from clear the garage of a 6 foot pile of wood that the builders left) ??

 

[Noideadave]

Use her. I am. But don't drop the top, the rear screen might split.

 

[Cribus]

Definitely keep using it, lack of regular use just seems to encourage 'issues' when you get it back on the road. And maybe get a hardtop - I know they're a love or hate thing but mine is a god-send in winter and I don't even think about swapping to the spare car we're lucky enough to have. My hardtop hasn't come off since I bought it, but then my hood was very tatty and presumably still is unless it's miraculously mended itself in its compartment.

 

[Barchetta Bloke 440]

Use her. I am. But don't drop the top, the rear screen might split.

I bought my car in a December and last thing I did before driving off was to ask how to drop the top and the fella emphasised to be careful folding the window carefully in cold weather to avoid splitting it.

I still drive top down in all temperatures when I'm in the mood for it.

fold carefully......

 

[nicholasb]

I agree that you should use it when possible and maybe shelter it when you can't. I had mine off the road for quite a while and it did not do it any good sitting out unused in all weathers.

 

[Davefridge]

The trouble with using your B over winter is that it can sit for days with salt residue on it which in turn attracts moisture and therefore corrosion. Even those nice sunny days can allow your B to get covered with salt dust outside and underneath. My B is a pleasure car and is always wintered for 5 months. Here's what I do:-
Wash, dry and polish bodywork.
After a couple of days in garage to dry out, take for good 30mile drive to thoroughly warm engine oil & exhaust. Park car in garage as quickly as possible to prevent condensation forming in exhaust. ( I usually try to have the fuel light on )
Leave handbrake off.
Blow tyres up to 45-50psi to prevent flat spots.
Remove wiper blades to prevent "folding of the rubber"
Disconnect battery from car system and charge once a month with "Optimiser" charger.
Finally cover car with a few blankets which prevents condensation forming during frosty nights and sunny days.
I have been doing this for over 15 years now with no problems developing.
Hope this helps

 

[Crachat]

Re, folding the roof and screen split, I always use a length of grey foam pipe insulation laid in the fold to keep the curve even. When you lift the roof it just flops out into it's ready made storage space. Can't remember where I got this tip from, I believe it was someone on the forum.

 

[Davefridge]

I've seen people at car shows recently using a "sausage" on the rear screen. One was a tvr & one mx5. I've seen them on sale somewhere but you could easily use a door draught excluder (the sort your granny used to have!).
I have to say though, when my roof is down there is no threat of the rear screen kinking.

 

[StevePD]

I use a swimming pool solid tube flaot cot to length. Its diameter is about 50mm (2") and is solid and supple.
SteveD

 

[agb007]

I use to put in something in Sweden called a torrboll something similar to what you get when you buy electronics but much larger.

http://www.biltema.se/sv/Hem/Stad-och-tvatt/Utrustning/Fuktslukare-2000019534/

Apart from that also full tank

 

[Giorgio]

Hi Paul,

Like Dave in Cambs, my B is a summer car and is off the road for the winter. At the end of each season I use a similar routine to the one he describes.
In addition to pumping the tyres up, it helps to push/pull the car back and forth a couple of times every few weeks (without starting the engine, to avoid the condensation Dave mentioned) - provided you have sufficient space for doing this.
I ususally leave my battery connected (simply because I can't be bothered to disconnect it) but will trickle charge for a weekend every month or so.
As mentioned, leave the handbrake off to prevent it from seizing.
If you don't want the hassle of taking the wipers off, simply prop up the wiper arms with two wine bottle corks so that the wiper blades hover a few millimetres above the windscreen.
Keep the roof closed, but leave the windows slightly open to allow air to circulate.
I usually also fill a small dish with salt and leave it in the car as a cheap dehumidifier (no idea how much of an effect this really has, but it won't do any harm). My B is also covered, but I don't have one of those expensive snug fitting car covers you can buy - two king size flat bedsheets (100% cotton!) will do the trick.

Regards
Giorgio

 

[Davefridge]

Excellent! Someone who thinks just like me. Nice one Giorgio

 

[Peter Pick-Up]

Fill the tank with absolutely 100% ethanol free fuel, and ad a fuel stabilizer, just in case.

 

[eramosa]

my B is also a fair weather car. For one thing my wife's camry parks inside all winter and there is only room for one car. No way she is scraping off snow and frost every morning. As always the Barchetta is put away with a full tank of high test complete with a fuel savor and a little Lucas top oil. The top is up, windows down,she is covered with a quality, breathable car cover. As for the battery I use a KSW-AA Electromobile Battery Master Rotary Switch Insulator (fancy name for a cut off switch) cheap but works great. Tire pressure is checked as well as windshield washer fluid and rad antifreeze. Must be good for at least -25 Celcius. Sounds like a lot but really it's not.

 

[gar074]

Some great advice on here. I'd add, put some mouse/rat bait out (for some reason, the mice in our barn seem to get a kick out of climbing all over my B and sh itting on it).

 

[aurelian1]

Hi,

Any advice for wintering with no garage? Snow expected.

I plan on covering it with a canvas, windows a bit down, and a plastic sheet on the ground to reduce the moist coming from the ground.

Thx!

 

[Peter Pick-Up]

If it was my car, I would find a covered shelter, no matter what, or how far away...
Leaving any car outside, even covered with something, wil affect it in a negative way for sure.

 

[Foldsmobile]

Good advice, clearly coming from experience. I've had mine 7 years now and took the opportunity of a sunny day yesterday to run through the wash/dry & run for warm-up before garaging for winter, where I have room to roll 2 or 3 metres. I also 3/4 filled with good petrol, pumped up the Pirellis & left a window half down.

After cooking 6 silica gel bags (500g) these went into the cabin & boot, then the steering wheel & gear knob had a coat of shoe polish. In the engine bay, near the bulkhead, I put a milk bottle cap with peppermint oil, to keep any mice away (this obviously works with elephants too, as none have got into the B since doing it).

If the weather turns really cold, I can use a convector heater in the garage, and will plug my C-tec charger/conditioner into the cig-socket to keep the battery ok.

Next year, before using again, I would plan to remove each wheel to dust any rust on the discs (Waxoil has kept the underbody good) & wipe the plastic guards - not forgetting to adjust tyre pressures

 

[Peter Pick-Up]

Why fill the fueltank only for 75%?
This still allows he moisture in the remaing air to cause rust....
By wise, and fill it 100%!!

No need to take of thew wheels to wipe away rust, one push one the brakepedal during the first ride will get rid of it instantly...!

 

[aurelian1]

Unfortunately I cannot find a safe garage.

So far I have this list of prerequisites for outside wintering:
- cover
- full tank
- windows a bit rolled down
- peppermint oil or equivalent mice repellant substance in the engine compartment
- nigrin/teroson wax protection sprayed under the car metallic parts
- battery taken out, stored in the house
- tire pressure
- exhaust blocked

Any other suggestions are welcome.