Winter Care Advice?

[DubWub]

I've got a 1990 Eclipse GS thats in pretty good condition rust-wise (especially for Michigan ). Money's tight right now, and I'm debating selling my truck (02' Chevy S10) so I can live a little more comfortably (instead of living paycheck to paycheck like I am now). The problem is, I would be driving that lil car in a Michigan Winter. I am deathly afraid of it rusting out, especially with all the salt they throw on the roads. Will I be OK if I wash it every few days? Or what?

Edit: I plan on moving south as soon as I can, but its not a definite thing.

 

[2GbTalonGuy]

I would just keep the DD. Think of all the money you will save on washes. Just drop insurance on the DSM for the winter to save a few bucks.

If you do sell the truck and DD the car. It will probably be ok if you do wash it frequently. But rust problems may arise on the underbody or in tight places. And like I stated, all of the money on washes will add up.

 

[DubWub]

Think of all the money you will save on washes.

I know it'll add up... Its my father that keeps pestering me to sell it. But you figure the manual car wash in town is $3, and washing it twice a week, that makes $24 a month and (with Michigans long winter) anywhere from $96 - $144, for one winter.
And thats doing it the cheap way (ie. no auto car washes).

Just drop insurance on the DSM for the winter to save a few bucks.

I do this already.

But rust problems may arise on the underbody or in tight places.

This is EXACTLY what I'm worried about.

 

[agentorange313]

I live in Jersey, its not like the winters you have, but boy do we have rust too.

I just dropped the rear subframe of my car. I am in the process of using a grinding wheel with a wire wheel to remove all the rust under neath. I am then coating it with POR15 and all necessary components (cleaner, rust inhibitor):Stop Rust POR15

Then I am coating it with POR15 rubberized undercoating:
RUBBERIZED UNDER COATING-POR-15 Inc.

This process is less that 144, and hopefully will last the lifetime of the car, or until I choose to remove it for some reason.

Just letting you know how I am going to handle rust, but that seems excessive for you, then again you have a FWD and done have to seal with a driveshaft diff and all those AWD parts.. I would definitely wash it as often as possible, you can also have your undercarriage washed at the car wash to help with that.

 

[DubWub]

I live in Jersey, its not like the winters you have, but boy do we have rust too.

I just dropped the rear subframe of my car. I am in the process of using a grinding wheel with a wire wheel to remove all the rust under neath. I am then coating it with POR15 and all necessary components (cleaner, rust inhibitor):Stop Rust POR15

Then I am coating it with POR15 rubberized undercoating:
RUBBERIZED UNDER COATING-POR-15 Inc.

This process is less that 144, and hopefully will last the lifetime of the car, or until I choose to remove it for some reason.

Just letting you know how I am going to handle rust, but that seems excessive for you, then again you have a FWD and done have to seal with a driveshaft diff and all those AWD parts.. I would definitely wash it as often as possible, you can also have your undercarriage washed at the car wash to help with that.

I totally was thinking about this. I'm glad you commented. It would help to do that... and would remove the existing rust... not a bad idea. Still would have to wash it, but there would be much less of a chance of rust...

My problem, I have no idea how to "drop the rear subframe" (although I could probably figure it out). If I did it, I would like to do it right, but realistically how hard would this be in a FWD? No half-@$$. Doing it, and doing it right. Also, I don't have a lift or anything. Just a jack and 4 jackstands.

 

[agentorange313]

This covers some of the removal:
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/art...1g-fwd-rear-control-arm-bushings-install.html

Like I said, you will have an easier time, there is less for you to deal with in the rear since its a FWD car.

goodluck