If you are tucking your aircooled pride and joy away over winter, know that there are a number things to can do to help preserve its health and ensure it starts come spring time.
1) Fuel stabiliser
The worst thing for a fuel system is to not be used for extended periods of time. The ethanol in Fuel will absorb water and eat away at rubber hoses as well as rusting fuel tanks. (see full article here on fuel lines and ethanol).
Fuel after just one month starts to break down. It not only will become pretty useless for combustion but it will attribute to gum, varnish and rust building up in your fuel tank. It’s best practice to check all your fuel lines regularly and replace them every few years at a maximum but using a fuel stabiliser will help to prolong the life of any rubber components.
For storage you could fully drain the tank but this leaves it open to the air and the bare metal will start oxidising. Fill you tank to 95% full so no condensation can build up and add a fuel stabiliser, this will help counteract the above and keep your fuel fresh for up to two years. Ensure once added to your fuel tank that your engine is run to allow the stabiliser to reach all areas of your fuel system.
I use Lucas, it treats 302litres, that’s over 6 tanks worth for a Baywindow that has a 60litre tank.
Moving parts seize if they are not used, as you won’t be opening your doors or turning any locks for a while ensure they are all lubricated before you put your camper in storage.
I use GT85 as its like wd40 on steroids, its an amazing deep penetrating fluid and lubricatior
3) Moisture is a bugger
Crack open window to avoid condensation building up inside your bus. If you store in a particularly damp area try using a two buckets, the top one with holes in the bottom full of rock salt sat on top of another bucket to collect water. Rock salt absorbs water, so as long as you drain the excess away once in a while it will help keep the moisture away from your bus/ Another tip is using rice in socks, it sounds mad but it totally works as the rice absorbs moisture!
4) Drain any water
Yes I know we are talking aircooleds, however if you have a water storage tank ensure you drain it to reduce the risk or bacteria growing or ice cracking your tank.
5) Refresh fluids
Old oil, brake fluid and washer fluid can cause havoc in their own systems. Oil can become acidic and carcinogenic with use, brake fluid can absorb water and washer fluid can become viscous and block your jets. Before your store your vehicle renew your fluids. If you don’t various paper and rubber seals can be eaten away/ perish and cause leaks when you first start up in the spring.
Oil that has a large amount of contaminants will settle to the bottom of the sump and solidify, if the engine is started then these contaminants may cause blockages in your oil galleries including your oil cooler. Its best to have a full engine service before you put you VW to bed. When your engine is run it creates byproducts during combustion, among them are water and acids. There are additives in the oil to combat both. Over time these additives get used up. By changing oil before you put it away you insure that you have the best protection against damage/ acid etching of bearing surfaces which could cause premature engine wear and failure.
6) Remove gas (propane)tanks
If you store gas it’s better to remove and store in a cool dry place for safety reasons.
7) Remove battery
Batteries hate the cold and damp, they also really dislike being allowed to fully discharge. If you are storing your bus then either keep it trickle charged all winter with a decent charger or remove the batterie(s) and put them somewhere safe and out of the way. Preferable at room temperature and fully charged.
I use a ctek MXS 5 charger as its suitable for charging batteries up to 110ah such as my leisure battery and comes with a quick disconnect :
8) Clean inside and out and wax
Mud, sand and salt contains materials that can trap moisture / cause rust. Before you store your vehicle give it a deep clean, dry and wax polish. I highly recommend Collinite 476 as it’s the best there is and seals for 6 months! It’s also the perfect patina preserver, get some you will be amazed!
9) Pump up your tyres
Don’t be tempted to store you vehicle jacked up as this will put strain on the suspension joints and rubbers. Top up your tyre pressures and rotate your wheels when you start it up every so often.
10) Chock wheels and release handbrake
Your drum brake shoes can become ceased and your cables can become stretched if left on for months at a time. Therefore I always check the wheels, put in gear and undo the handbrake.
Start once a month and run for a good 30 minutes revving every 5. Rotate the wheels, pump the brakes and go for a run on a dry day to keep everything moving. When spring comes you will be glad you took the time to properly look after you camper, it will run with far less issues and most likely only need a small service or a check over before you hit the road on some new adventures!
