MN Hibernation

[tsiegwart]

Well,

After what seems like a month straight of rain here in MN, we had a nice sunny day this last Saturday. I took the car out for a ride, got it nice and warm (which has been hard to do for the last month) then changed the oil and filled up the gas tank. I saw a lot of other p-cars out and about as well (all waving at each other LOL).

I hooked up the battery tender last night and I値l pick up some stabil and mouse traps today. I知 closing it up for the winter this week.

I was going to pop on the new set of hood lifters I致e got, but realized how nice the hood sits with the batter tender hooked up and the old lifters. I値l put those on come spring.

The only other thing I have planned for spring time is a new set of wires, cap and rotor. I think I値l pop in the new 2-wire CHT as well while I知 at it.

From now until mid April I値l just live vicariously though you guys (and gals) who live in the warm weather states with year-round Porsche driving.

Todd, Minneapolis
87 Targa

[oregonmon]

I kept telling myself "ya know self, it would be best for you to put the car away for the winter". But, where I live it doesn't really snow. Just a lot of rain. It's an SC so I shouldn't have to worry about rust too much right? Do you guys put your cars away during winter because of the road salt or whatever they use these days for snow and ice? Is it mainly because they don't drive well in the snowy conditions?
If it just rains here do I really have to put her away for the whole winter, seems like cruel punishment.

[tsiegwart]

I wouldn't be afraid of rain.

mmm... I guess that's kind of a lie, I love the fact that I have no rust on the car.(...that I can find) and I usually don't take it when it's raining, but that's just me. I really don't think rain is an issue.

However, road salt is brutal. Snow and Ice are no fun to drive in and you track so much into the car getting in and out it can really make the interior very dirty. Plus fender benders happen with regularity in the snow around here. It's just easier to close it up for the winter, even though you miss driving it.

It just makes spring that much more exciting!!!

[real550A]

+1 on storing for winter.

Here, they call rust "Minnesota Gold". It affects everything metal, rooftops,
automobiles, even bridges.
I look at it as the perfect time to schedule those projects that result in down
time anyway. Some here even pull their engines in Winter just to do it.
That's a good time to catch the loose vacuum hoses and leaking oil senders, etc., not to mention a good cleaning of everything.
That said, I can't wait for Spring!

[tcar]

Drive all year in Denver. There is a few days or even a week from time to time with a lot of snow (ok, 3-4 weeks last winter) but other than that...

Rain's not a problem, the body is galvanized.

Can't imagine putting the car away for 5-6 months...

[85eurocarrera]

Can't imagine putting the car away for 5-6 months...[/QUOTE]

Yeah, but then it's time to pull out the sled and wait for the snow! I look forward to the change in seasons/ hobbies.

[dshepp806]

I couldn't imagine having to store my car for the winter...no concept of this in mid GA. Trust me,..if it snows here,..you';;ll know it,..otherwise,..it's just a cold arse morning's drive, requiring a few additional miles to and fro'...(heat)...NO SALT ANYWHERE!

She hardly ever goes out in the rain,...If I'm in the rain, it's because either I'm on a long distance run or I've misread the day's forcasts/radar maps.

Pretty much drive all year,...the engine likes it that way, eh?

Best,

[dickepoohp]

When I took delivery of current SC in San Antonio, they were right between two tropical storms, and when I mentioned I would come pick up right between the two the PO was horrified and exclaimed it had NEVER been outside in the RAIN!!! He had no idea if the wipers worked..(They did, altho the rubber was ancient.)
I asked if this was because of handling on the wet, or preserving the body. His response was just that it was unthinkable that I would allow water to sulley his baby. Also he indicated for me as an inexperienced p-driver, the combo of wide tires, inexperience and goodly power might be dangerous..(Fifth Porsche-200K+milea ,no crunches albeit driving conservatively seldom with hair on fire)
(They HAD experienced substantial flooding both sides of my visit.)
Then reading here the warnings about RUST, I admit I have been a bit leery.
No salt here except of very rare occasions. On the other hand, while we have nothing LIKE the concentration that exists in some areas, the local P-car pushers seem to be in evidense equally good wx and bad.
I will probably resist playing bumper tag in bad weather, but it seems unreasonable to leave it boxed up just because it might shower.

Reasonable? Comments?

[dshepp806]

I don't care for the battle with the acidic rain droplets attempting to malinfluence my polish/wax job either.....it somehow balances out the proper mileage for me......let's face it: I don't even want to start logging 15K per year on this baby. (well,..yes! I WANT to,..but...) Mother Nature balances it for me,...again: with the rule that she does not go out in the rain...I want her well-kept,..as well as well-driven.......one must do both,..BUT,..should I have mucho cashola in the bank...lots to spend? Frick it,..I'd drive her every moment I needed to go somewhere,..wherever that may be................

I miss it when I don't drive her for the day,...it's a bummer,....like a frikin' child, in a way....like a father, in a way. (both.........)

A relation.

I luv it.

Best,

[JMatta]

The 911 will go into hibernation first week of November, as track season is over. The Boxster will follow shortly, as it's approaching full time Grand Cherokee weather in Chicago. Maybe a couple nice days left, but the chill is in the air.

[daniell911]

My P-CAR will hibernate next week until May 1st!!

It give us plenty of time for winter project....

November is the month where we all order our stuff from Pelican Parts!!
Nothing broken but just another way to have fun with the car in the Garage!

This is life up here in Quebec Canada!!
Hibernate the Car
Hibernate the boat
Close the Pool
Cover the BBQ
Etc...

Go Habs Go!!

[limble]

Well, we need to have a party in the off season then. Our contractor is scheduled to tear down and replace our garage. When it's rebuilt we plan to have a garage warming, engine drop, slot car and beer tasting party. Look for an invite in mid-December. He promised us it would be done before then. If you are interested send your contact info.

[tsiegwart]

Mike,

At the risk of "inviting myself"..... please invite me! I'd love to hook up with some MN Pelicans. It's been a crazy summer, sometimes winter is when you actually get a chance to catch up on things you've been "meaning to do".

Todd

[CMDR Perry]

Hey guys I drive my 911 right up to Turkey day, then it goes in garage with a full tank of gas spiked with SEAFOAM. Mike what scale slot cars do you run?
Canada Dan the Wild are 7 and 1 so far this season, Go Jacque.

[rgrimm]

Ahh...the annual tradition in the northland!

We don't have as much salt as you do (you can always tell when a North Dakota car has spent a winter weekend in the Twin Cities--until they wash their car), but I learned long ago that it's real, real hard to get a carb'd engine started at 10 below.

So the '68 goes away as soon as I get the oil changed and now that the sun is out, the '84 will stay out for a while.

If you're ever up in Fargo...

[limble]

Todd,
I got your PM. You are invited, as is anyone who can read this post.
CMDR Perry,
1/32 size cars. I have about 8 cars and 45 feet of Carrera track.

They came out today and tore down the old garage so things are beginning to happen.

Mike

[tsiegwart]

That's great, I'm looking forward to meeting the MN Pelican and Porsche community.

[aftermath]

You guys are lucky, things rust in my garage just from heat\cold cycles causing condensation in the winter from opening and closing the garage door. I will have to put in a heater to stop the rusting....ah the great white north....

[limble]

It's starting to look like a garage.....

[CMDR Perry]

Mike the new garage is looking good. You must be excited to move in and use it this winter. Based on our early snow it looks like a long one.