1987 Carrera

[JamesRBeam]

I have a 1987 Carrera 911 with 64k miles, which is essentially in storage. From Oct 2022 to Oct 2023 it clocked less than 500 miles. It is time for the annual maintenance/inspection. Last year the independent Porsche mechanic, in addition to the oil/filter change and general inspection, recommended change fuel filter, valve adjustment and new spark plugs. All as per recommended items per Porsche. I deferred performing those items due cost and the fact of the car being in storage with very little use. Am I doing a disservice to the car by deferring perfprmance of the mentioned service items? Thanks.

[PeteKz]

Valves: Unless it's been a lot of miles since you last adjusted the valves, they won't have changed just from sitting. Leave 'em alone.

Oil change: Oil doesn't deteriorate from just sitting either. The recommendation for changing the oil at least every year comes from concern that you have moisture building up in the engine from non use, or worse, short runs where the oil does not get hot enough to evaporate out the moisture. Solution: drive the car more.

Fuel and filter: This is more likely to cause problems from non-use. If you use ethanol-contaminated fuel, then drive the car often enough to use up the tank and refill it with fresh several times a year. Or use non-ethanol fuel, which will stay stable for a year or more. The filters are long-life types, and IIRC, recommended change is 15,000 miles. Or maybe 30,000 (someone who knows Carreras hop in here). But, like the other stuff, time is immaterial, and usage is what counts. Don't change it just because it's been a year since the last one.

Disservice: You're doing the car a disservice by not driving it more. Go drive the snot out of it for a couple hours

[Bill Douglas]

Yes, a good hard drive will do it a world of good. And put a smile on your face.

[Paul Crowther]

Ever replace the fuel lines? Has condition been checked? Safety fast.