How To Prepare Your Pontiac Muscle Car For Storage - Post Hibernation Preparation

7 Seemingly Big Problems With Easy Solutions

1: I started my Pontiac after storage and a puff of blue smoke came out of the tailpipes. Do I need to rebuild the engine?
If the Pontiac was in good running order when stored, most likely the valve seals dried up a bit and allowed some oil to leak down the guides. When you started the car, the oil was burned in the cylinders and the smoke resulted. The seals may seal just fine once the engine has been running for a few minutes.

2: Upon start-up after storage, my Pontiac had a valve tap for the first few minutes. Is my hydraulic cam flat?
Remember, your Pontiac has been sitting for some time and the motor oils needs to get back to all areas, such as the hydraulic lifters, and build pressure. The valve tap on start-up is normal after the car sits for a long time. If a cam lobe was flat, the sound would not go away.

3: When I started my Pontiac after storage, it overheated in just 10 minutes. Did I blow a head gasket or something?
More than likely, the thermostat stuck closed. For less than $5, you can probably fix the problem. Don't run the car again until you do.

4: I stored my Pontiac over the winter and now the automatic transmission is leaking fluid. I'll need a rebuild, right?
The torque converter holds trans fluid as well as the trans. After sitting for a time, the fluid flows back in the trans pan, overfilling it to the point that fluid may leak or seep out of the speedometer housing, dipstick tube, or detent-cable area. This is normal, but it could take a little while for the transmission to pump the fluid around and return to normal activity after initial startup. Extended storage can dry out seals and gaskets, so the fasteners may need to be tightened a little without a lot of pressure. The gaskets might need to be replaced if the leaks don't stop.

5: After taking my Pontiac out of storage, its manual transmission doesn't shift correctly. Do I have to rebuild it?
A stiff clutch pedal could be the result of a lack of lubrication at the linkage. Flash rust that formed on the flywheel while the car was sitting might cause some temporary clutch chatter. Shifting problems may be sourced to an incorrectly adjusted clutch or a shift linkage that needs lubrication. Don't overlook possible rodent nests in any of these places.

6: When I testdrove my Pontiac, it went rump, rump, rump down the road like the tires weren't round anymore. Will I have to replace them?
If you stored your Pontiac with the tires on the ground instead of on jackstands, the tires flat-spotted from the weight and lack of use. Usually, the problem clears up once the car is driven a bit and the tires heat up.

7: After storing my Pontiac over the winter, the front end squeaks when I drive it. Is my suspension worn out?
Unless it was worn out when you put it away, it shouldn't be now. Grease the front suspension per the recommendations in the service manual and the squeaks should disappear.