Winter-proofing

[Cavalier342]

Ok, what's everyone's best tips for winter-proofing their Cavalier? Aside the obvious such as thinner engine oil, anti-freeze, and screen wash.

[Squig]

I'm ordering one of these

[planetc]

I'm ordering one of these

But that's because you don't drive it anymore? lol

[planetc]

Ok, what's everyone's best tips for winter-proofing their Cavalier? Aside the obvious such as thinner engine oil, anti-freeze, and screen wash.

The only thing I think I would add is to try and keep it aired, stop the moisture building up.

[btcctroy]

I'm ordering one of these

make sure its breathable otherwise you will be getting problems

[Cavalier342]

Cool. I might get one of those de-humidifiers, I've heard nothing but positive results from them.
A lot of moisture does get in, so I've gotta find ways of keeping it out.. And this isn't even cold yet.

That car cover does look promising but a bit too much for what I'd give. Good idea though.

[iancav6]

I'm winterising mine by taking it off the road,bought a seat Ibiza 1.4 as a run around.
Am getting a breathable car cover off the mrs for xmas.
What is the best way to keep the interior damp free as when it was off the road a few years ago everything inside went mouldy?

[alanw]

I run a small heater with a circulating fan (mains) - keeps the chill off the air and the circulation going plus a maintenance battery charger.
I also installed many years ago a Kenlowe engine pre heater and have them fitted to all my vehicles. A hot engine from the start - highly recommended!

Alan

[btcctroy]

i have no rust to worry about delt with during summer in prep for winter

whats the point having a car of the road during winter unless its in a heated garaged away from the cold

just drive it and enjoy it thats what i do. get winter tyres fitted

its a car not a ornament

[btcctroy]

I'm winterising mine by taking it off the road,bought a seat Ibiza 1.4 as a run around.
Am getting a breathable car cover off the mrs for xmas.
What is the best way to keep the interior damp free as when it was off the road a few years ago everything inside went mouldy?

this is no good for a car what so ever. brakes, clutch and cables can seize

engine parts and electrical componants hate no being used.

gaskets go brittle causing leaks, tyres can crack and can go out of shape to being stood

if you take the car of the road a heated garage is essential

[Cavalier342]

And axle stands.

I suppose just airing it once in a while, open everything etc should help keep things fresh. I agree though that cars do not like being parked for long periods. Not cars themselves, but the components on them.

[vauxhallnutter]

I'm winterising mine by taking it off the road,bought a seat Ibiza 1.4 as a run around.
Am getting a breathable car cover off the mrs for xmas.
What is the best way to keep the interior damp free as when it was off the road a few years ago everything inside went mouldy?

this is no good for a car what so ever. brakes, clutch and cables can seize

engine parts and electrical componants hate no being used.

gaskets go brittle causing leaks, tyres can crack and can go out of shape to being stood

if you take the car of the road a heated garage is essential

Ive been storing my cav in a dry but unheated garage for the past 5 odd winters without any problems at all. As long as you start and run it at least once a month plus run it back and forth you shouldnt have any issues.

I have my cav in the garage outside my house this year so i could have a heater in there but with the price of energy now it most likely wont happen! Lol

Sent via taptalk on android

[Cavalier342]

Wish I had a garage..

[vauxhallnutter]

Got a metro to keep the salt off the cav during winter! Loads of fun!

Sent via taptalk on android

[iancav6]

I'm winterising mine by taking it off the road,bought a seat Ibiza 1.4 as a run around.
Am getting a breathable car cover off the mrs for xmas.
What is the best way to keep the interior damp free as when it was off the road a few years ago everything inside went mouldy?

this is no good for a car what so ever. brakes, clutch and cables can seize

engine parts and electrical componants hate no being used.

gaskets go brittle causing leaks, tyres can crack and can go out of shape to being stood

if you take the car of the road a heated garage is essential

All short term problems that are easily fixed.What is harder to fix and the death of many Cavs is body corrosion caused by the annual salt bath our roads are treated to.

[humbucker]

waxoyl. dehumidifier(s). keep it garaged if you can. check underseal is still in place. ensure correct ratio of anti freeze and water is used. check tyres and brakes. etc.

if you must use a car cover then make sure its breathable as otherwise condensation and moisture will build up inside the cover which is bad news.

[VauxhallGirl]

this is something I would like to know...carpets in the front are wet...not sure where it gets in. Boot damp too. I hate driving it in the winter...so much condensation! And when it freezes, I have to scrape the ice off the inside too!

[Cavalier342]

Number of reasons for that, blocked sunroof drains, torn seals around the doors/tailgate, it helps usually to close the air vents overnight and slide the heater control sliders to the middle, i.e. driver's face icon, this will stop moisture getting in through the vents anywho. Invest in a couple of those de humidifiers and air it out as often as possible.

[vauxhallnutter]

this is something I would like to know...carpets in the front are wet...not sure where it gets in. Boot damp too. I hate driving it in the winter...so much condensation! And when it freezes, I have to scrape the ice off the inside too!

Front is most likely the elephants trunk blocked or the seal round the fan motor has perished. Rear could be faulty boot rubber or sunroof drain tubes or possibly the seal around the rear quarter windows.

Just check your floors for rust if they are wet.

Hope this helps.

Sent via taptalk on android

[humbucker]

Front is most likely the elephants trunk blocked

+1

almost always a blocked scuttle drain (elephant trunk) as over time they get clogged with crap and leaves and all sorts. if blocked it overflows into your passenger footwell. not nice! clear it out and ensure it has enough of a hole to drain rainwater through and you won't get any more wet feet! the drain pipe itself is against the bulkhead, almost dead centre along the 'bay.

[btcctroy]

I'm winterising mine by taking it off the road,bought a seat Ibiza 1.4 as a run around.
Am getting a breathable car cover off the mrs for xmas.
What is the best way to keep the interior damp free as when it was off the road a few years ago everything inside went mouldy?

this is no good for a car what so ever. brakes, clutch and cables can seize

engine parts and electrical componants hate no being used.

gaskets go brittle causing leaks, tyres can crack and can go out of shape to being stood

if you take the car of the road a heated garage is essential

All short term problems that are easily fixed.What is harder to fix and the death of many Cavs is body corrosion caused by the annual salt bath our roads are treated to.

still can rust sat out out the rain. there is only a slight gain

jet washing the underside once a week helps remove the salt

i see why people take there pride and joy of the road, driving conditions are a lot more dangerous during winter.

chassis on cavs rot from the inside out due to lack of paint protection. moisture attacks these areas. these areas need attention.

arches also suffer same fate.

the cavalier undersill actually does a good job of protecting the car. its only when it becomes damaged the car rusts.

sunroof models with side skirts have a big design flaw with the sunroof drainage, water from the sunroof drains straight into the internal section of the sill causing it to rust.
easy repair for this is to drill 20mm hole at the front where the wing bolts to the underside of the sill. then extend the sunroof pipes through the sill into some rubber grommets. ideally some spare grommets from the rear boot floor

thats why i sad a heated garage is the best way protect any car from the uk conditions

[btcctroy]

Front is most likely the elephants trunk blocked

+1

almost always a blocked scuttle drain (elephant trunk) as over time they get clogged with crap and leaves and all sorts. if blocked it overflows into your passenger footwell. not nice! clear it out and ensure it has enough of a hole to drain rainwater through and you won't get any more wet feet! the drain pipe itself is against the bulkhead, almost dead centre along the 'bay.

if that doesnt sort your problem check the drainage holes under the plastic cover to the wiper linkage.

i have seen these rust letting water in, running down on top of the ecu

[VauxhallGirl]

thanks guys for the pointers...will get on that at the weekend.

Had the equivalent to a bucket load of water in both front footwells this morning. Must get a cover over him until I sort him out.

[humbucker]

it will take you less time to clear the scuttle drain than it will to fit a cover! seriously, its just clearing out old cak from a pipe. don't delay!

[humbucker]

this is what you're looking for hanging down the back of the engine near the bulkhead.