Long term storage of a 1989 3.2 Cabriolet - questions

[89PS911]

Hi All,

I am moving abroad for 3-4 years and need to put my 1989 3.2 Cabriolet in a state in which it can rest properly but also be quickly reactivated so I can drive it during short periods when I am home.

I have a Snap-On scissor lift in my garage. My plan is to store it up on the lift, with a full tank of gas, and a dry bag in the interior, with the top and windows up. My garage is not climate controlled. We live in the mid-Atlantic area near Washington DC, so temperatures range from 100 in summer to 15 or lower on a cold winter day.

My first questions are whether I should store a cabriolet on a lift for extended periods of time (it could easily be 8 months between times the car might come down off the lift, perhaps even longer) given the slight chassis flex and whether, if I do store it on the lift, I should take the wheels off. When I leave the car up on my lift for any significant period I always put jack stands under the lift deck just in case there is a hydraulic failure.

Should I put stabilizer in the fuel tank? Should I attach a trickle charger?

Any other considerations and advice are very welcome.

Thanks,
Jonathan

[Hnichols]

Fuel stabilizer definitely.

I'd remove the battery from the car and then put it on a trickle charger.

Another possibility is removing the wheels and putting the car on blocks -- that way the weight is distributed on the wheels, but you don't have to worry about flat spots.
If you're going to be driving the car every few months, maybe putting 40-45 psi would be enough to eliminate flat spots (?).

[Joe Bob]

Definitely fuel stabilizer, remove battery, put it on a tender, crack the windows, lift the car.....

[javadog]

I'd look into the possibility of using a non-alcohol based race fuel instead of pump gas. I don't know of any pump gas that will last that long, even with a stabilizer. Ask the fuel company about the stabilizer use.

Store it on a lift. Keep the wheels on.

Make sure the oil and brake fluid is freshly changed.

Remove the battery and store it away from the car. Rig up a trickle charger to charge it a few times a month. I wouldn't leave it charging continuously.

Consider adding a small HVAC system to the garage, to keep the temperature and humidity within a reasonable range.

Cover the car with a soft cover and then cover that loosely with plastic, to keep dust off.

Consider a short piece of wood to partially disengage the clutch disc.

Find a way to securely lock the garage.

Have someone check on it periodically.

JR

[RedCoupe]

Fogging oil in the cylinders. Any chance you could hook up a dehumidifier?

[ganun]

+1
Good tip, It's happend to me.
"Consider a short piece of wood to partially disengage the clutch disc."

[gtc]

I'd look into a different kind of dehumidifier. Goldenrods come to mind... used in boats, gun safes, etc. You probably don't need a very big one for a 911.

[WE349A]

I use a Carcoon with a dehumidifier inside to keep levels at 50%. Keeps the car very clean, keeps the rodents out and its ready to drive very quickly.
Lift option is a great one if you can keep the humidity down in the garage. Otherwise, you could wind up with a very moldy interior.

[NYNick]

After putting the Stabil in the tank, run the car around the block to get it through the engine as well.

There was a recent article about car storage. One of the salient points was the temperature and humidity fluctuation being the worst thing for the car. Fairly consistent temps go a long way towards helping your situation.

Not sure if your frunk is electronic open or mechanical cable. If electronic, leave it popped open. Leave parking brake unengaged. Also like the clutch idea.

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by ganun

+1
Good tip, It's happend to me.
"Consider a short piece of wood to partially disengage the clutch disc."

How would a piece of wood help saved the clutch disc during long storage for G50? It is not cable assisted like in 915 transmissions but hydraulic controlled via the clutch slave cylinder. Thanks.

Tony

[javadog]

You push on the pedal, it still disengages the clutch...

Probably not a problem if the humidity is controlled. I'd definitely put a split system in that garage.

JR

[zippy_gg]

If removing the battery as suggested, don't leave it on the ground where the low temps would freeze it but place it instead on top of a piece of lumber and/or rubber. You can also "blanket" it.

[fintstone]

For that long, I think I would just do the trickle charger and leave it drivable...and have a trusted friend or relative come buy and take care of the car and house and visit about once a week or so...even if you have to throw a few bucks their way to do so. The electricity goes off a lot in this area, pipes can freeze, mice, etc. Do you have an alarm system? Once it is obvious that no one is at home...there is a better chance of robbery or vandalism. Who will maintain your grass, etc.? Are they trustworthy?

[A horse with no name]

Originally Posted by 89PS911

Hi All,

I am moving abroad for 3-4 years and need to put my 1989 3.2 Cabriolet in a state in which it can rest properly but also be quickly reactivated so I can drive it during short periods when I am home.

I have a Snap-On scissor lift in my garage. My plan is to store it up on the lift, with a full tank of gas, and a dry bag in the interior, with the top and windows up. My garage is not climate controlled. We live in the mid-Atlantic area near Washington DC, so temperatures range from 100 in summer to 15 or lower on a cold winter day.

My first questions are whether I should store a cabriolet on a lift for extended periods of time (it could easily be 8 months between times the car might come down off the lift, perhaps even longer) given the slight chassis flex and whether, if I do store it on the lift, I should take the wheels off. When I leave the car up on my lift for any significant period I always put jack stands under the lift deck just in case there is a hydraulic failure.

Should I put stabilizer in the fuel tank? Should I attach a trickle charger?

Any other considerations and advice are very welcome.

Thanks,
Jonathan

Hi, we park our Carrera from the first of November to the first of May every year. I put our car cover on and 'just' crack the windows. I put one of those small black temper controlled electric heaters on the folded down back seat set at around 50 degrees F. It sits on a foil pad; I also put a bungee cord over it just to make sure that it is secure. BTW, even at 50 F the inside becomes very warm as the cover is keeping the heat in.

For the engine I use a 100 watt heavy duty bulb with my automotive light cord that protects the bulb. My motor is very detailed and so it has no oil or anything else that may flammable.The 100 watt bulb provides enough heat so that there is no condensation - anywhere. I also stuff a rag up the tail pipe to stop any cold air from circulating inside the exhaust and engine. It keeps the moisture in the air out.

I do not fire it up every so many months. To me, a cold start once in a while is worse than one cold start in May. Every year it starts on the first turn of the crank. (If your car happens to be an automatic then it should for sure be started so as to move the oil around your auto tranny seals ect.)
Before starting, take the coil wire off so that the motor will just turn over and not start. Do this off and on for about a minute and you will then have some oil throughout the motor. This way it does not cold start to a fast idle before the oil is up and around.

Re storing on your hoist - I have had no problems with my tires(Michelin) sitting on the concrete floor. I do though lay Poly from the front wheels to the rear as it also stops condensation that comes up from the concrete. Another advantage is that I am able to stuff Poly in such places as the fire wall to keep the air out. I use a piece of Poly to cover the bottom of the engine to keep cold air from entering the engine compartment. BTW, I also do what the other posts have stated. Battery out on an auto shut off trickle charger, including the gas additive for storing

The above is only my 2 cents worth. I have though been doing this for decades and it works well for me.

[89PS911]

Thank you everyone for all of your thoughts and good advice!

[spyerx]

Storing on a chassis lift can cause the damper shafts to corrode.