extended time between starts

SCWDP911 · SCWDP911's Garage

I was wondering if there was a quick answer to this. Some might recall my 83 cabriolet is sitting at my father in law's place in Rapid City, SD (due to a run in with a deer and construction pylon)... I had asked him to start the car periodically until I returned. Just found out he hasn't. Car has been sitting since the week after Thanksgiving now. I am not sure if that is long enough to worry about it, or if I should go ahead and tell him to start it up periodically until I pick it up. I know this is probably located somewhere in the archives, but a reply here would be great until I can find what I am looking for.

Thanks,Shane

DRACO A5OG · DRACO A5OG's Garage

Oh Geez, Thanks Pop in Law.

Maybe you can ask him to buy some Techron or Seafoam to put in the tank. I read Seafoam will get rid of any moisture from a sitting tank of gas.

Batttery is probably dead though. My buddy let his friend;s 996 sit for a month and it drained the battery.

livi · 01-18-2009, 10:46 PM

The battery probably needs charging. Otherwise its better to leave the car resting than to just start it up, if you don´t drive it for a longer trip to get it all warmed up.

Rick V · 01-18-2009, 11:03 PM

Markus is correct. Have pops dose the tank with some treatment, like staybil add a batt tender and let it sit.

hrscrk · 01-19-2009, 06:03 AM

hey guys

i've got the same prob in montana............can't/won't drive it on snow or, mostly, roads covered w/sand/gravel

but: is a 15 - 30 minute drive going to be a benefit; i.e. get the fluids warmed up, etc etc

plus, give me a boost

tx

ed
bozeman, montana

Rusty 356 · 01-19-2009, 06:11 AM

Forget the father in law and find a 911 guy that will go up and do the things that were suggested above. Make sure the battery is fully charged. Is the car inside? I wouldn't do anything else. Just starting it create other moisture re;ated issues internally. my .02 cents worth.

KNS · 01-19-2009, 06:17 AM

That's only six or seven weeks, not enough time for the gas to go bad. I would ask him to put some Stabil in there now with some fresh premium (top the tank)and run it to circulate the gas. According to Stabil's info, added to "not quite fresh" gas will help it from degrading further. If the gas is already a year or two old - tough luck. Disconnect the battery if you don't think he's going to help you out after that.

SCWDP911 · SCWDP911's Garage

Thanks guys. The car is not very driveable right now. Sounds like I need to go ahead and add the stabil and put the tender on it.

My FIL is actually a good guy, and an old-timer Porsche guy - he has had some real mouthwatering cars. His problem has been that he is so busy. He is 72 and still has a pretty heavy patient load. Plus he has been in and out of town with some grandchildren weddings in December.

Anyway, thanks for the tips. I might just have to drive up and trailer the old girl home and do the work here. I am starting to go through withdrawals. I would have trailered her home at Thanksgiving, but was in a hurry to get back. Will have to check on Uhaul prices this week.

pozee · 01-19-2009, 07:17 AM

Put the tender on after you charge up the battery.

SCWDP911 · SCWDP911's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by pozee

Put the tender on after you charge up the battery.

I will have him test it first. I just put a new battery in.

DW SD · 01-19-2009, 08:49 AM

Mine has sat for months and fires right up. I do try to use it for at least 1/2 an hour if I'm giong to run it. May as well evaporate all of the water.

I use a battery kill switch which disconnects the battery. You can buy one that installs at the battery terminal for $10 at Napa. Or one for a race applications for about $40. Batteries will not remain charged indefinitely, but for much longer if they are physically disconnected.

Doug