The Icing on the SVX Cake

LarryIII · #1 02-24-2003, 11:01 AM

Yesterday morning it was very foggy and drizzly. It rained some during the day. Last night the temperature fell below freezing.

This morning I went out to go to work. The driveway had a thin coating of black-ice (verglas) on it. My 92 SVX sat out all night. I pushed the button on the keyfob. There was the customary beep beep and the lights inside the car went on. I grabbed the door handle and pulled. The door stayed closed I promptly started to slide and my feet went under the car. I landed on my Kiester. I got up, walked around the car and tried the other door. It wouldn't budge. The locks were undocked but the doors were frozen shut. I went back around to the driver's door and after a few minutes of yanking, I got the door opened. The car started instantly as usually. Then I got out and used the scaper on the windows.
Driving to work I noticed that none of the windows would go down. By the time I got to work the heater had unfroze the windows.

Have any of you "northern climate SVXers" had these problems and do you have any solutions ? Don't say put the car in the garage. That's not an option. The 97 SVX and Rosie's 97 Outback stay in the garage.

Thanks for any help.

Chicane · #2 02-24-2003, 11:08 AM

This has happened to me a few times, especially when I decide to 'wash my car' in below zero conditions... what I did was spray a lubricant around the perimeter ofthe door, like WD40. Yeah, its gross, and yeah, it'll probably attract dirt and it might get oil spots on your clothes if you bump it, but hey, at least my door isnt frozen solid to the frame. I had to yank so hard I thougth I was going to rip the handle off before. I suppose waxing the door frame might work too! G'luck, and let me know if you find any better ideas.

GreenMarine · #3 02-24-2003, 11:08 AM

I've got something for your windows.... Before you go to sleep at night go put a towel on the window.... It will keep the Ice and snow off so all you gotta do when you get up in the morning is tackle your doors pull the sheet off and you're good to go..

WestCoastSVX · #4 02-24-2003, 11:16 AM

Hi Larry. First off, I would say you have to choose between everyday convenience and pampering the garage queen. The two car garage is kinda going to waste if it is keeping a car warm and dry that you can't use in the morning to drive to work. But then again, I guess I can't relate, my SVX had to spend a few years outside and just now I'm enjoying have a warm car ready to go in the garage in the morning.

So to offer some advice with your chosen situation. First off, something on the windshield is a must. My dad taught me to do newspapers back in the day, but a towel or blanket just seems safer (no newsprint to rub off

). You could then take this to the next level as I have done before and drape the entire top half of the car in a big blanket so all windows are covered. Just pull the blanket off in the morning and all windows are clear and dry! Helps if the blanket(s) hangs downt he sides far enough to cover the door handle area too, as this will eliminate frozen locks and maybe even frozen doors. Works for the hood too, keeps the engine warmer.

GreenMarine · #5 02-24-2003, 11:17 AM

Quote:

what I did was spray a lubricant around the perimeter ofthe door, like WD40.

I don't know if I would put wd40 on there.... I know wd40 dosn't like plastics and rubber very much. I think that if it were me I would just get some armor all and put a good coat of that on the seals of the doors.... If not that then try some hand lotion... That might work, and if you get alot on there you can wipe your hands on it and keep them from cracking in the cold

sfsvx · #6 02-24-2003, 12:20 PM

How 'bout a car cover, AKA "portable garage"?

www.mcneil.com has them by CoverCraft.

LarryIII · #7 02-24-2003, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GreenMarineSVX

If not that then try some hand lotion... That might work, and if you get alot on there you can wipe your hands on it and keep them from cracking in the cold

Why don't I just stay in bed and rub the lotion on the Beautiful Naviguesser.

Mr. Pockets · #8 02-24-2003, 01:15 PM

Larry,

I've found that when my doors are frozen shut, the SVX's construction makes it easier to get into than other cars. The seals around the upper frame of the door are on the outside, so you can just pry lightly between the roof and the upper glass with your fingers or a scraper. That always gives me enough of a start to get the door open by pulling on the handle.

#9 02-24-2003, 04:10 PM

Pour really hot water all around the window seal and the door will open as if by magic

Hotshoe

Tim · #10 02-24-2003, 05:24 PM

Put the tire shine stuff on your rubber. It will make it all shiny and keep it from drying out and freezing together when its moist.

#11 02-24-2003, 05:38 PM

Move to Alabama, wear it's warum..... We gotta lotta jabs fo you "enginneeeeers" down here on dem big coal trains.... An God only knows how bad we can use anglish teechers.....

#12 02-24-2003, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hotshoe50
Pour really hot water all around the window seal and the door will open as if by magic

Hotshoe

Ya and watch your windows all shatter from the sudden temp. difference.

#13 02-24-2003, 06:37 PM

This has happened to me probably about 6 times this winter. Last night I tried to get in through the trunk...........AUUUGGHHH!!!!! I am concerned that I will break the door handles from pulling on them so hard! (like the handle broke on my XT) I have coated my seals with vegatable oil - this seems to help, but not when there is freezing rain or some variation thereof. It seems that the design of the top of the door is prone to freeze ups. I guess the blanket solution would work, but that is kind of a pain. Ohhh...........and when i wash my svx in sub-freezing temps (there has been alot this year) , I wipe the seals dry all around with a rag to prevent them from feezing solid.

Tapper

Quote:

Originally posted by LarryIII
Yesterday morning it was very foggy and drizzly. It rained some during the day. Last night the temperature fell below freezing.

This morning I went out to go to work. The driveway had a thin coating of black-ice (verglas) on it. My 92 SVX sat out all night. I pushed the button on the keyfob. There was the customary beep beep and the lights inside the car went on. I grabbed the door handle and pulled. The door stayed closed I promptly started to slide and my feet went under the car. I landed on my Kiester. I got up, walked around the car and tried the other door. It wouldn't budge. The locks were undocked but the doors were frozen shut. I went back around to the driver's door and after a few minutes of yanking, I got the door opened. The car started instantly as usually. Then I got out and used the scaper on the windows.
Driving to work I noticed that none of the windows would go down. By the time I got to work the heater had unfroze the windows.

Have any of you "northern climate SVXers" had these problems and do you have any solutions ? Don't say put the car in the garage. That's not an option. The 97 SVX and Rosie's 97 Outback stay in the garage.

Thanks for any help.

jen · #14 02-24-2003, 07:04 PM

I'm so glad to be back in California where it is spring now - but after 5 years in Chicago and many ice storms I learned to use a windshield cover that woud wrap around and stick throught the front doors. ie you close the doors on the thing. This did two things 1. kept the ice off the windshield and 2. made it easier to break the ice lock on the door. once you can move the cover a bit everything opens easier. They are only a few dollars - just takes a couple minutes to put them on.

Anyone have a good used engine for sale? My car just died and I don't wnat to have to junk it.

Seraph · #15 02-24-2003, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jen
I'm so glad to be back in California where it is spring now - but after 5 years in Chicago and many ice storms I learned to use a windshield cover that woud wrap around and stick throught the front doors. ie you close the doors on the thing. This did two things 1. kept the ice off the windshield and 2. made it easier to break the ice lock on the door. once you can move the cover a bit everything opens easier. They are only a few dollars - just takes a couple minutes to put them on.

Anyone have a good used engine for sale? My car just died and I don't wnat to have to junk it.

Hello Jen,

You can't stand the weather ah? I don't blame ya. As for the engine, talk to greensvx. He may have an engine or two for you.

I thank you for not junking out your SVX.

L