Carbon buildup or other issues in using air cooled 911 as daily driver...

[mmm]

...my current commute is 6 miles and 15-20 minutes in arterial and freeway traffic. Would such conditions pose any kind of problems with carbon build up or other issues for an air cooled 911 motor?

[masraum]

Hmmm, sounds like you'd need to take the long way around. I don't think that kind of drive would be very good for a 911, it'd never warm up completely or if it did it would be because it was stuck in stop n go traffic.

[mmm]

Originally posted by masraum
Hmmm, sounds like you'd need to take the long way around. I don't think that kind of drive would be very good for a 911, it'd never warm up completely or if it did it would be because it was stuck in stop n go traffic.

I'm a bit ignorant. How exactly would it be not good, or bad, for the motor. I could run synthetic. What are the issues for a 911 air cooled motor compared to a 911 water cooled motor or any old "car" motor for that matter.

Not doubting per se, just trying to understand the issues. Edjumacate me! TIA.

[dotorg]

My commute is 25 miles, usually 75-90 minutes each way... during the summer my 911 is a daily driver, and I've found myself finding much longer, twistier, less congested routes to get to work. I might drive twice as far, but it takes the same amount of time.

When you have a 911, the route is more important than the destination.

[mmm]

Originally posted by dotorg
My commute is 25 miles, usually 75-90 minutes each way... during the summer my 911 is a daily driver, and I've found myself finding much longer, twistier, less congested routes to get to work. I might drive twice as far, but it takes the same amount of time.

When you have a 911, the route is more important than the destination.

Yes, but often times you just want to get there....

[dotorg]

Thats what I have the Dakota for

[Scooter]

Just get the car out on the weekends and blow all that carbon out. I don't think you should have any additional concerns about a 911, than you would have with any other sports car. If you just want a commuter car that you don't have to worry about, then drive a Honda. A Porsche is not about just getting there, but rather HOW you get there.

[arcsine]

One problem is that if you do not get up to full temperature, you do not get rid of the water that has condensed in the oil. You can see this in your oil filler neck as a milky froth.

[Rick Lee]

If you do short trips in traffic, you need to get out on the weekends and give her an Italian tune-up. You also want to stay on top of your oil changes. Check the inside of your oil filler cap. If it looked like brown mayonaise, then you're getting condensation in there and it's not getting hot enough to cook off. as for carbon build up, run a bottle of Techron through the car before you change the oil. Drive it like you stole it. On OBDII 993's carbon build-up is very common and it triggers the "check engine or cash-emptying light" and that makes it tough to get through emissions inspection.

[mmm]

OK, guys, it's not like I wouldn't drive it good and proper at every opportunity (otherwise what's the point of having it at all?), and I'd certainly get the oil up to temp (100C+/212F+) now and again to get the water out and just as a matter or course, but the car would also serve double duty as a daily driver, 6 miles to work and 6 miles back each day, 5 days a week, and to the grocery and back etc.

So say it would get driven good and proper once a week on average, and at worst once every two weeks or so. Problem? Or Not?

[nostatic]

Originally posted by Richard LeSchander
an Italian tune-up.

Is that where you bend over as you sign the check?

[mmm]

Originally posted by nostatic
Is that where you bend over as you sign the check?

No, that's where you take it out and drive the piss out of it now and again.

[thabaer]

Forget the carbon unless you've got a serious air/fuel mix problem, weekday driving buildup won't overcome longer weekend trips.

Like Gary says, the moisture that can condense is a bigger problem. In addition to oil, the exhaust system can corrode faster because of water coming into the system without getting it hot enough to evaporate after you park.

[B D]

Just find a longer and more enjoyable route to go to work, you wouldn't have to do the same route everyday. Plus you'll come in to work with a big grin on your face everyday if you take a longer enjoyable ride.

I live 6 miles from work as well and do not drive the 911 that often to work, consider getting a second car. That way you can complete projects on your car and not be in a rush,

[banjomike]

My 911 is my daily driver. My commute is a bit longer, ~22miles. I would say that the primary negative, assuming that the issues above are covered, would be the engine wear. Lots of engine wear takes place in the first few hundred revolutions, and after that there is somewhat increased wear until the engine heats up. Of course this wear will take place every time you drive it anyway, but you'll be spening a disproportionate amount of time in these 'warming up' conditions. Why does this matter? Only becuase 911 rebuilds are lots more $$ than honda rebuilds.

It's only 6 miles ride your bike. You'll live longer to give you more time to drive your Porsche.

[Porsche]

I drive mine daily - in the morning rush the car does do a lot of starting and stopping. What I do is I leave work a bit later, so the freeway is not congested - that way, I am pushing the car over 100kmh for about 30 minutes, which is just the way I like to drive it.