General Extreme Cold Concerns [Archive] - DMCTalk Forum

virtualchuck

01-07-2014, 11:18 AM

Mark D

01-07-2014, 11:42 AM

The only potential for harm I can think of is if the engine coolant is really old or improperly mixed with too much water. If the coolant in your engine/radiator freezes solid then bad things happen.

I don't think extreme cold weather isn't going to hurt anything else if the car is just sitting there.

I wouldn't try to start it when it's this cold because sitting and idling can build up condensation in the engine fluids and exhaust. I've never heard of anyone blowing a head gasket or warping a head by running a PRV engine in sub zero temps but that may also be a possibility if you were to start up the car and start driving it hard without warming it up.

If you're concerned about the coolant freezing you can buy or rent a tester (hydrometer) from autozone.

EDIT:
I'd also pull the battery too and bring that inside if you haven't already. When lead/acid batteries discharge they are more likely to freeze and it could burst open and leak acid inside your battery compartment.

DMC5180

01-07-2014, 11:52 AM

With a second day of below zero temperatures here in the Midwest, I am just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on anything extra that can be done to prevent any serious damage to a DeLorean kept in a non-heated garage?

I'm about 95% of the way to having a running car, I'd hate to have a serious setback because I forgot to do something simple.

Chuck

You should not have anything to worry about. Metals and rubber will contract/expand with the cold like anything. Heat cycling in the winter is harder on components winter than just letting it sit. It would be no different than your DD being parked outside in this weather. Your battery might need trickle charging to keep it in a good state of charge, but it's not like you plan on starting the engine in sub-zero conditions anyway. FWIW. It's about Zero in my garage and I have not started the car 2.5 months. It will fire right up when the time comes in another 2.5 months.

Jonathan

01-07-2014, 11:57 AM

This isn't going to be a concern for you if your car is sitting in the garage being cold versus out driving in the cold, but failures in metals are more prone to happening when the temperature drops. From a strength of materials perspective, if a metal has a certain fracture point, it will take less force to make it break when the metal is cold. More so even if there is already a crack in it or scratch/etch/rust pitting, etc. When you add them all up, you could see something break on the car that wouldn't have if one or more of those conditions wasn't there. TABs always come to mind, but so could much of the other suspension components. I had tried to put together some stats on failed TABs and what the ambient temperature was when it failed, but there wasn't enough data to make any conclusions. If you are out driving in the frigid weather, don't go fearlessly barrelling over any bumpy railroad tracks.

virtualchuck

01-07-2014, 12:28 PM

You should not have anything to worry about. Metals and rubber will contract/expand with the cold like anything. Heat cycling in the winter is harder on components winter than just letting it sit. It would be no different than your DD being parked outside in this weather. Your battery might need trickle charging to keep it in a good state of charge, but it's not like you plan on starting the engine in sub-zero conditions anyway. FWIW. It's about Zero in my garage and I have not started the car 2.5 months. It will fire right up when the time comes in another 2.5 months.

The battery was my first concern, it's a brand new Optima yellow top and when I looked up chargers for it, Optima wants $200 for their fancy charger! http://www.amazon.com/Optima-150-34178-Digital-Battery-Charger/dp/B009M3PQFA

I may just bring that in the house until I get back to working on the car in the spring.

I don't plan on driving it anytime soon, the fluids are all new and "hopefully" the coolant mix is correct.

Chuck

Henrik

01-07-2014, 12:42 PM

Another thing to consider is to avoid sitting in the car. If your leather and vinyl is a little aged it is not as pliable and may be prone to tears and cracks.

DMC5180

01-07-2014, 12:43 PM

The battery was my first concern, it's a brand new Optima yellow top and when I looked up chargers for it, Optima wants $200 for their fancy charger! http://www.amazon.com/Optima-150-34178-Digital-Battery-Charger/dp/B009M3PQFA

I may just bring that in the house until I get back to working on the car in the spring.

I don't plan on driving it anytime soon, the fluids are all new and "hopefully" the coolant mix is correct.

Chuck

Hey chuck, I have the Optima 400 charger/ maintainer. $118.00 It gives you all the right info you need on the digital display. It takes the mystery out battery charging. Yes you can by cheaper chargers out there but I really like this one for intelligence/ display features. It's great unit. My RED Top is still in the car (disconnected) Its' not often I feel comfortable endorsing a product but in this case It's a great unit. I actually got it from the OPTIMA traveling roadshow guys this past summer at AIRVENTURE (Oshkosh, wi).

http://www.optimabatteries.com/en-us/shop/charger/digital-400/

Rich W

01-07-2014, 12:44 PM

The battery was my first concern, it's a brand new Optima yellow top and when I looked up chargers for it, Optima wants $200 for their fancy charger! http://www.amazon.com/Optima-150-34178-Digital-Battery-Charger/dp/B009M3PQFA

I may just bring that in the house until I get back to working on the car in the spring.

I don't plan on driving it anytime soon, the fluids are all new and "hopefully" the coolant mix is correct.

Chuck

If you do not plan to use it until Spring, it would not hurt to bring it inside the house.

However, I have been using a Optima Yellow Top in my older Ford F350 Ext. Cab Dually since 2006 and it may first need replacement this year.
This truck sits for weeks or months at a time, between transport uses, yet the Yellow Top has performed very well for the past eight years.

Ryan King

01-07-2014, 01:05 PM

If you do not plan to use it until Spring, it would not hurt to bring it inside the house.

However, I have been using a Optima Yellow Top in my older Ford F350 Ext. Cab Dually since 2006 and it may first need replacement this year.
This truck sits for weeks or months at a time, between transport uses, yet the Yellow Top has performed very well for the past eight years.

I've had my Yellow Top Optima in my DeLorean since I bought it in 2005. Best battery I have EVER owned. Hasn't failed me once yet. Knock on wood.

Dangermouse

01-07-2014, 01:14 PM

So, you cold weather experts - at what temperature would your naked hand stick to a stainless panel?

DMC5180

01-07-2014, 01:19 PM

So, you cold weather experts - at what temperature would your naked hand stick to a stainless panel?

Why don't you give it try. I heard Atlanta is supposed to reach the Sub-zero's Tonight. I heard it works better with your tongue though. Let us know.

virtualchuck

01-07-2014, 01:48 PM

Hey chuck, I have the Optima 400 charger/ maintainer. $118.00 It gives you all the right info you need on the digital display. It takes the mystery out battery charging. Yes you can by cheaper chargers out there but I really like this one for intelligence/ display features. It's great unit. My RED Top is still in the car (disconnected) Its' not often I feel comfortable endorsing a product but in this case It's a great unit. I actually got it from the OPTIMA traveling roadshow guys this past summer at AIRVENTURE (Oshkosh, wi).

http://www.optimabatteries.com/en-us/shop/charger/digital-400/

Thanks, I see the 400 available online for $110. It was a little off-putting that Optima would sell a $200 charger for an under $200 battery, that is definitely a better option.

Chuck

DMC5180

01-07-2014, 01:56 PM

Thanks, I see the 400 available online for $110. It was a little off-putting that Optima would sell a $200 charger for an under $200 battery, that is definitely a better option.

Chuck

Yeah the 1200 is pricey. It is more for Speed charging and recovering a deeply discharged battery. The 400 works for 90% of most charging needs. It just takes longer due to the lower Amperage output.

One thing to note when it is charging the unit can get rather warm to the touch just so you know. It's normal.

Dangermouse

01-07-2014, 02:14 PM

Why don't you give it try. I heard Atlanta is supposed to reach the Sub-zero's Tonight. I heard it works better with your tongue though. Let us know.

Tongue? OK, got it!

Jonathan

01-07-2014, 03:21 PM

Harry Dunne will tell you all about that one!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSSsOHJ3Dg4

louielouie2000

01-07-2014, 03:49 PM

David T

01-07-2014, 04:07 PM

If you're really concerned for your car & it's components, why not go pick up a small electric space heater? Wal Mart/Target/etc sell ceramic (ie: safe) versions that have digital thermostats, tip sensors, automatic timers, overload sensors, and oscillate for under $50.

This is why you prepare the car for winter storage. Make sure the coolant is protected to at least -20 and is not acidic. Remove the battery and keep it on a block of wood in a warm place and trickle charge it for 1 day once a month. You don't need a $200 charger. Look for a Battery Tender. Around $30-$40. It is not recommended to start the motor. I recommend removing as much fuel as possible and do not use stabilizer. Treat the leather with Leatherique Rejuvinator. If rodents can get near the car throw some mothballs UNDER the car, NOT inside. Make sure the insurance coverage is in full force and effect (paid up). Cover the car with old blankets and a cover so nothing can fall on it and damage it.

virtualchuck

01-07-2014, 09:46 PM

This is why you prepare the car for winter storage. Make sure the coolant is protected to at least -20 and is not acidic. Remove the battery and keep it on a block of wood in a warm place and trickle charge it for 1 day once a month. You don't need a $200 charger. Look for a Battery Tender. Around $30-$40. It is not recommended to start the motor. I recommend removing as much fuel as possible and do not use stabilizer. Treat the leather with Leatherique Rejuvinator. If rodents can get near the car throw some mothballs UNDER the car, NOT inside. Make sure the insurance coverage is in full force and effect (paid up). Cover the car with old blankets and a cover so nothing can fall on it and damage it.

The car has been pretty well prepped fluid wise, I just can't say as I was expecting these record setting sub-zero temperatures. This car was sitting for several years, and I would hate to have a major setback over something silly when I'm so close to having it running again...

Chuck

thirdmanj

01-07-2014, 10:51 PM

Sorry...

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/08/4a2uvyvu.jpg

Rich W

01-08-2014, 03:10 PM

A somewhat helpful, quick reference, Winter Car Care chart:

24276

From our friends at Jalopnik.

virtualchuck

01-09-2014, 11:27 AM

A somewhat helpful, quick reference, Winter Car Care chart:

24276

From our friends at Jalopnik.

Thanks for the link Rich, luckily it didn't reach -97 (Just felt like it) so I think my fuel is safe. What I was wondering about though, what if any fluids have lost "effectiveness" since being exposed to these temperatures? I meant to bring in things on my shelf like my adhesives and spray paints but it slipped my mind until it was too late. Should I dispose of any critical fluids that were exposed to this? Guess we'll find out in the spring...

Chuck

David T

01-09-2014, 01:48 PM

Thanks for the link Rich, luckily it didn't reach -97 (Just felt like it) so I think my fuel is safe. What I was wondering about though, what if any fluids have lost "effectiveness" since being exposed to these temperatures? I meant to bring in things on my shelf like my adhesives and spray paints but it slipped my mind until it was too late. Should I dispose of any critical fluids that were exposed to this? Guess we'll find out in the spring...

Chuck

Examine each can for any signs of bulging. Shake them and see if you hear anything solid banging around inside (besides the shaker ball). If not just let them warm up and they should be OK as long as there is enough pressure inside to spray the contents. Some glues once frozen have to be discarded.