Winter Storage - changing oil

PeteBrown · 01-22-2003, 08:27 AM

Winter came quicly in Cleveland this year has yet to let up. As a result, I have not changed my oil in my car since last may (3 DEs and 3k miles later). With about 12" of snow and salt encrusted cars everywhre, I can't drive her to warm her up. Its currently 12f and is not expected to warm up for a while. The forecast high is 27 on Sunday. What should I do? Change the oil cold? Let it stand for another few weeks untile it warms up or the roads clear?

Pete Brown
'87 Black Coupe (w/ loud Edelbrock)

01-22-2003, 08:35 AM

I think it's more important to change the oil after winter hibernation rather than before. Of course doing both is extra good, but I don't think it's necessary.

jmohn · jmohn's Garage

The procedures most of follow that have to hibernate our cars for several months each year are meant to prevent the cumulative effects of letting the car sit without being used. Letting your car sit still for a few weeks, this one time, with old oil in it isn't going to cause any damage. Of course, when it warms up, I advise changing the oil. As I've said before, we aren't "storing" these cars, we're just "parking" them for an extended period.

Just my opinion,

Jerry M
'78 SC

david c. · 01-22-2003, 10:10 AM

If you run 20w50 or some similarly heavy oil, I wouldn't start your car in this weather.

I'm in Pittsburgh and it was 8 degrees this morning. My mechanic has yelled at my roommate Brian and I for thinking about starting our Porsches in this weather without an appropriate winterweight oil. He told us that our rod bearings would hate us.

If you haven't changed it since the summer and it was an appropriate summer weight, I'd either let it drain for a few days (like molasses) or wait until it gets significantly warmer to start the car.

Others may disagree with me, but if you don't have to drive it, no sense in starting it especially in this weather.

Good luck!

David

PeteBrown · 01-22-2003, 12:03 PM

Thanks. I do have a summer weight oil, Mobil 1 15w50 in it which is the source of my concern because it looks like syrup. Even my Explorer with 5w20 did not like the sub 10 degree morning startup today.

I'll just wait for one of those obscure warming patterns to arrive.

Pete Brown
'87 Coupe (my BB1)

Jdub · 01-22-2003, 12:31 PM

Mark a date one month from today on your calendar. If, by that time, you have not changed the oil then connect a dryer hose to the tailpipe, aim it outside, and warm her up. Then dump that cancerous oil that is currently eating your big ends.

That's what I'd do anyway. I am a nut about clean oil in my car.

John

RickC · 01-24-2003, 07:52 AM

Mobil 1 15W-50 is only good down to -15C or about 8 degrees F.

Be careful in this cold snap!

RickM · RickM's Garage

However, unlike standard oil the viscosity of the synthetic oil should not be like syrup. Should it?

RickC · 08:31 AM

Mobil 1 says 15W-50 will "pour" down to something like -49F. It doesn't seem too much thicker than normal sitting in my 0-10F detached garage today. Curious that Mobil's "Pour" points are only about 15 degrees different between 0 weight and 15W-50. Mobil's web site says 15W-50 will pump at -35F. Why you're supposed to not use it below 8F, I don't know. Guess it'll still be liquid, but too thick to get to where it needs to go as the thermometer falls.

Would like to hear from someone who knows though, since I'm just guessing from their published data.

RickC · 08:33 AM

BTW - that 15W-50 at 8 degrees F is from the owner's manual for my 87 911.

My newer cars manuals don't seem to want that thick an oil EVER.

Why is this? Modern tolerances? Oil/Air cooling? High performance/temp? Probably all of them, but I don't know for sure.

Good thread on oil info today helps though.

N11Porsche · N11Porsche's Garage

Hey Rick C. how's the cycling going. Must be tough , cycling in 8 degree weather. I was out on the Cannondale yesterday, 60 degrees and the roads were wet. I hate riding in these adverse conditions..........but any bike ride is better than no bike ride

thabaer · thabaer's Garage

Hmmm, a bunch of quattro owners (including me) have been using 15-50 M1 in -20F/-29C starts of chipped/modified I5s for years, no discernable damage and these guys track & maintain these cars very carefully. 8F sounds like CYA on Porsches part.

A good reason for changing oil BEFORE storage is that when you start the engine and heat the oil, bearing-munching acids begin to develop. Get rid of the acid-laden fluid before letting it sit and eat. Not as big of a problem as it used to be, but it hasn't gone completely away.

RickC · 12:56 PM

Dear Bill:

I feel your pain!!! 60 F and rain? Sounds just awful!

Really rotten thing is there's no snow, so I can't even go cross-country skiing or sled with the kids. Skating on a couple of local ponds is fun until the sun sets.

Biggest threat to fitness is that the fluid trainer is within striking distance of the liquor & junk food in the basement fridge! As long as you don't need balance, you can workout and enjoy happy hour at the same time!!!