Should I Start IT????????

[FrankieG]

This being my first winter with my 82 911SC, I am a novice in regards to all the "winter rules". My 911 has been under its cover in my garage for the past 8 weeks, too much snow and salt here in NY. I would drive it, the cold isn't the issue, the salt is. Now, should I take the cover off and start the engine? Should I let it run a bit? Or should I leave it alone until it can be driven? May sound like a dumb question for the veterans, but us newbies need to know.

[72 four door]

Fire it up let it run for 5 min shut it down enjoy and get in, and dream about sunny warm days a comin

[72 four door]

Also forgot to add i would engage the clutch and move it a little to insure the clutch doesnt stick to the pressure plate

[FrankieG]

Thanks...some have said don't let it idle without driving. Something about the oil being properly distributed throughout the engine?

[304065]

Frank,

I would let it sit until the spring thaw in February-- wait for the temp to come up above freezing, certainly. There are a bunch of issues--

1. Your battery will not be putting out full juice, there's a chance that you could drain it during the process. If you're going to try it, bring the battery inside where it's warm overnight.

2. The engine is "cold-soaked" - all the parts have contracted and clearances are tight. Surface rust may have formed on cam lobes and internal engine parts, oil has receded from surfaces. What oil is there is congealed like syrup. Porsches have great oiling systems, but for the first few moments there will be accelerated engine wear until the oil pressure builds.


3. It's not going to start immediately-- you will have a rich mixture which may wash what oil film is present off the cylinder walls, leading to premature wear.

4. Unless you drive it, the oil temperature is not going to go over 212F, which is necessary to boil off all the water that has accumulated inside the crankcase from dew formation. Admittedly, it's been so cold that the humidity has been very low, but there's definitely more water in the case than when you drive it every day. Also, water is a combustion byproduct: you will be putting water in the exhaust and not boiling it out by running for a short time, doesn't help.

I haven't touched the starter on either of my cars since October. Cylinder jugs are fogged with mystery oil etc. When I start my other aircooled motor I make sure I preheat it for a couple hours.

[adamred]

I let mine sit until the weather and roads clear enough for me not to worry about salt.

In fact just took mine out with my Dad Saturday night in anticipation of another solid winter blast here in the east. We drove the s*&%t out of the car for over an hour, got the oil nice and hot, gas mixed up and the tires round.

Other then that type of run, I'd suggest you let her sit.

Adam

[vash]

maybe just check the battery.

[vash]

just curious, i have never been "wintered" in. how do you cold climate guys address your fuel in the car? tank full, empty, fuel stablizer?

[jpachard]

Originally posted by unfixed
just curious, i have never been "wintered" in. how do you cold climate guys address your fuel in the car? tank full, empty, fuel stablizer?

We drain all the fuel out and use it to keep warm when things get really bad

Cheers, James

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally posted by unfixed
just curious, i have never been "wintered" in. how do you cold climate guys address your fuel in the car? tank full, empty, fuel stablizer?

Drive daily, refill as needed.

[m325ix]

for the past 10 years I let my 82 SC rest in the garage, covered and battery disconnected. I don't bother starting it up for 10 min or anything like that. Just wait until the weather warms up and you can take it for a nice ride (and I don't mean the ride around the block)

[azasadny]

I fill my gas tank and put ina can of StaBil (for 20 gallons of fuel). I put the car up on jack stands and take the Dunlops and the targa top into the finished basement to stay warm. I keep the Optima battery connected and run a trickle charger once every 2 weeks. I also put mothballs under the car all the way around the car to keep the critters away. I put Gummi-Pflege on the rubber seals around the glass and targa top before the really cold weather hits. I DO NOT start the car at all due to the reasons that John Cramer mentioned in an earlier post...

[stealthn]

Yes, don't start it, the moisture and condensation will be worse for the car than letting it sit.

It going down to -27F here tonight, and the P-car is in hibernation for a few more months.

[jmohn]

The best thing you can do is leave it alone. It may make you feel better to start it up and make it go "vroooom", but it won't do anything good for the car.

Jerry M
'78 SC

[m325ix]

Originally posted by stealthn


It going down to -27F here tonight, and the P-car is in hibernation for a few more months.

I thought 15F and foot of snow was bad (here in NJ), but -27, damn...that is cold, I would be next to the Porsche, hibernating for a few month

[wilke3169]

I Know nothing about winter storage. Have driven mine everyday for the last few weeks. I have a garage that would hold 8 p-cars. Maybe I could car sit in the winter for you guys. Just a thought.

[dhoward]

Oh my.
I drive my car when it's cold. I hope it's not cold soaked....

[howiee]

I was advised by PCNA not to start the car during winter storage. The PO had a complete engine rebuild done to my car before I got it and it still had the Porsche warranty so I wanted to make sure I did everything right. Before starting the engine in the spring they advised me to remove the fuel pump fuse and crank the engine over until I saw the oil pressure needle start to rise. Once I felt that the engine had enough oil sprayed around inside, I replaced the fuel pump fuse and started her up. seems to work great.

[stealthn]

Originally posted by m325ix
I thought 15F and foot of snow was bad (here in NJ), but -27, damn...that is cold, I would be next to the Porsche, hibernating for a few month

Yeah but who would feed the sled dogs, and keep the seal breather hole from freezing closed.

[Por_sha911]

OK, now I'm not sure what to do. This is my first winter with the P-car. Being in TN, the winters aren't that bad or that long. There are plenty of nice days without salt on the roads. Is it better to drive the car once every few weeks? How long is "long enough to get all the water out of the system?"