[Spider man124]

Hey guys, getting cold in the northeast. Putting the 124 away until spring. What's your storage routine? Any tips? In particular, any thoughts on fuel stabilizer? Any downsides like possibly voiding a warranty?

 

[Bill929]

Do you have access to non ethanol fuel? If so, do you have time to run a couple tankfuls through? I am not a big fan of storing any equipment with ethanol, then add a fuel stabilizer and run the car enough to run the stabilizer through the entire system. In addition, I run a trickle charger (that has a charge/maintain mode), air up the tires, clean and cover.

Hey guys, getting cold in the northeast. Putting the 124 away until spring. What's your storage routine? Any tips? In particular, any thoughts on fuel stabilizer? Any downsides like possibly voiding a warranty? View attachment 73952

 

[frankmar]

SEAFOAM well recomended it does more than gas stablelier. Ask guys who own motorcycles.
I have used it.

 

[steve6225]

Hey guys, getting cold in the northeast. Putting the 124 away until spring. What's your storage routine? Any tips? In particular, any thoughts on fuel stabilizer? Any downsides like possibly voiding a warranty? View attachment 73952

I wash and vacuum the car a couple of days before I put it in storage so it has time to dry. Change the oil, fill the tank and add sta-bil, running the engine long enough to get the sta-bil distributed through the fuel system. I inflate the tires to 40 psi.

I don't think sta-bil will void the warranty if you use it following the instructions on the bottle. I have used it for the last two winters and have never had a problem with it. The engine runs well and seems to have full power in the spring.

I also remove the battery and put the car in a car bag with desiccant canisters in the trunk, the interior, and in the bag itself to keep everything dry.

A mouse got into the bag and the trunk a couple of years ago, so I spread Bounce dryer sheets all over in the inside of the trunk, the interior, behind and under the seats, the area behind the seats that the top folds into, under the hood, and in the bag. I use an entire box of them, 120 count. The Bounce dryer sheets worked well last year, a mouse chewed into the bag, but he didn't go in. You will be able to smell the Bounce dryer sheets for a couple of weeks after you take the car out of storage though. This year, I put a bunch of mousetraps all around the car.

So there you go... My storage routine.

 

[TonyR]

I have never tried dryer sheet, i put an opened box of mothballs under the car. Seems to work for me

 

[doverosx]

I run Amsoil Quickshot and put an air sponge in my summer cars.

 

[Goaterguy]

If the 124 has a plastic fuel tank, leave as little fuel as possible in the system and try to avoid ethanol blend fuels before storing.

 

[Bill929]

This just came in from Hagerty. Their tips on winter storage... https://www.hagerty.com/articles-videos/articles/2019/11/20/essential-pointers-for-safe-winter-car-storage?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Daily_News_Friday_Nov_22

 

[hefbadr]

Star Tron additive has been my go to for several seasons for all my winter stored gas powered equipment...cars,mowers,weed wackers, and all...negates any negative long term storage effects of ethanol laced fuels. Was recommended by a municipal worker friend who used it on all his town's equipment for years. Available at most automotive retailers. Just my 2 cents.

 

[walawn]

Install a fitch fuel catalyst. No need to add stabilizer after that. I helped them design a system for our cars a few months ago.

https://fitchfuelcatalyst.com/automotive

Fitch Fuel Catalyst development for 124 Spider

I am now working with Advanced Power Systems Int’l to develop a Fitch Fuel Catalyst for our 124 Spiders! I will keep the community up to date on the development.

www.124spider.org

 

[hefbadr]

Assuming it is an inline device, I'm curious how it stabilizes the fuel IN the tank? Will I be able to see extra power if I use it with my Turbulator intake enhancer?

 

[walawn]

You are correct. It is an inline device, so the fuel in the tank will still deteriorate, but it conditions fuel as it passes through the canister to make it better than it came out at the refinery so that is a nonissue. I'm not sure to which product you are referring (Turbulator?), but you will see an increase in power. Now I run a drop-in one (and have for years) in my motorcycle and never add fuel stabilizer. I go 6-8 months (especially through winter) without even starting it.

 

[hefbadr]

My comment about the Turbulator was strictly tongue in cheek. I was referring to your comment about not needing to add stabilizer to the tank. You made a misleading statement, and I was calling you on it.

 

[walawn]

@hefbadr Not misleading at all, and I didn't mean for it to come across as such. As long as you're not letting your car sit for years with fuel in the tank until it becomes a varnish or powder then you will be fine. If you just want to store over the winter, and not drive the car, you're gonna be okay. Just fill up with a Top Tier gasoline (I use Shell V-power personally) after you've installed the Fitch and set her up for winter storage (tires, cover, etc.). The canister will recondition the fuel as it enters the fuel rail anyway. I've worked in the motorcycle industry for years and you'd be surprised how old of fuel you can run. I've also cleaned and tuned many a carburetor with unusable fuel in the float bowl (but after years of sitting).