2 years in storage, 2000 mile road trip...

[Bitte ein Bit]

Wasn't how things were planned but it ended up in storage for over two years. I currently live in Europe and the 1986 911 is back in the US.

Read forum post after forum post for information on getting it out of storage and was a bit nervous, to be honest, about going home and checking on it. Ended up ordering a spark plug removal tool from the dealer here, printed up all the forum posts about storage, highlighted key points, blew the dust off the maintenance book and "thought" I was ready to go.

Again, it was not meant to be stored for that long but you know how life is. FYI - Upon putting it up I put in fresh oil/filter, added fuel stabilizer (drove it for a bit to circulate) and pulled the battery. Forgot to air "up" the tires a bit (as I had read some do)...and she sat.

By chance I was in the unit getting the old battery (which sat on a piece of wood for the two years) to take for a new one and thought "what the hell", I'll install and see if there is a spark, and lo and behold the dash lit up.

So, with a cup of coffee in hand, jet lag, 30 degree temperature increase (Texas) and humidity (rain) I took the dismissed advice of the mechanic in Germany who said "the engine is tough, pull the fuel pump fuse, cycle a few times, reinstall and fire it up. It will smoke (a lot) but it will go away after a bit..."

Male impatience got the best of me...and that's what I did...

...and it fired right up. No stress, no odd noises, no struggling...except for maybe 10-20 seconds. But boy did it smoke. I tried to record it but it was still dark out and I wanted to move it from the main gate so not to draw attention.

So the best laid plans went awry and after the smoke stopped I drove it a bit, then took it to the shop to change the oil and filter, install new tires and went to lunch. (I had ordered parts and new tires previous to leaving Germany).

Drove it most of the rest of the day, added fuel system cleaner upon a refill that night and put some cardboard underneath at the hotel I was staying. Got up, checked for leaks, loaded it up and headed out...

I worry about the long term effects (slightly) but then I wonder if sometimes with the car I over worry. Some will scold my process I am sure, others might sympathize...in the end I just wanted to pass on another, what I would consider, positive event with these great cars...


So for eight states I drove...











...and two weeks later all is well.






E.

[Luccia at Pelican Parts]

Great story - thank you for sharing. I'm glad you'll be able to enjoy driving her now. Thanks for posting some great photos too. I bet she would appreciate a really good wax/polish on the paint too. I posted some of my recommended items to use below if you're interested. A nice paint sealant will go a long way and keep her "skin" happy. Are you just visiting or are you going to bring her back to Germany with you?

Sealant recommendation (use this on my personal cars): Liquid Paint Sealant - 16oz - PelicanParts.com
Detail spray for after every wash: Detail Spray - PelicanParts.com

[righteousrags88]

Nice! Good story and a happy ending!

[Bitte ein Bit]

Also wanted to note the old/stored tires did have flat spots in them. Thought maybe running them out a bit would get rid of it, but it didn't. The tire dates would have put them at 8+ years old so that might have been an issue also.

To answer the question above, the car is being stored again (different location) for another 2-3 years...Next time I will definitely record the start up for everyone to see the amount of smoke these things generate after sitting so long. I'll also be ordering a fuel filter and pump just in case. Crossing my fingers the new tires dated late 2016 will hold up (added extra air/max according to spec, just to see if that was valid advice for long term storage)...I ended up adding Chevron and Sea Foam products in case anyone cares, while running it around the Midwest. Ran like a champ...

[sugarwood]

The battery cranked after 2 years?

[Bitte ein Bit]

Yes, it did and cranked the whole trip. It was an Interstate battery - FYI. It checked out at the shop at 12.4 (if I remember right so 75-80% charged?)...after letting it idle and maybe 1/2 hour of driving. (wanted to get the oil out ASAP).

I don't have the specific model of the battery...

I did take a portable power bank charger with me as insurance but never had to use...

[Crude Rudy]

Thats outstanding and a great good luck story!

[Vereeken]

if you put a piece of wood under the tires it will prevent your tires from flatspotting. The wood will spread the load and slowly create a dent in itself.

Of course you do not want tropical hard wood but cheapo wood about 2 cms thick will do.

WOrks very well.

The alternative are those expensive rubber mats....

[bonnie sacer]

really nice, good story. the shape of the car is very special.

[zelrik911]

Originally Posted by Vereeken

if you put a piece of wood under the tires it will prevent your tires from flatspotting. The wood will spread the load and slowly create a dent in itself.

Of course you do not want tropical hard wood but cheapo wood about 2 cms thick will do.

WOrks very well.

The alternative are those expensive rubber mats....

Good tip - thanks. I will remember that.

[Bitte ein Bit]

Originally Posted by zelrik911

Good tip - thanks. I will remember that.

+1 - Thanks...

[Discseven]

Nice~~~

[CCM911]

Totally agree with your approach! I would have tried to fire it right off as well. People worry too much about these cars. They take abuse like no other! Hope you had fun on your trip!

[JackkTheMackk]

The SC i purchased last year sat for four years & was told it ran great before storage. I pulled the motor, adjusted the valves, checked the headstuds, and threw it back in. Started up like it was never stored. Been driving the hell out of it since then :-) They're well built cars!

[Jesse16]

I think because they have become dramatically "valuable" in the past few years, our sense of preservation has kicked in hard. I love just driving mine but its value makes me think.

[GaryR]

One thing that's often overlooked on stored cars is brake fluid and the rubber lines to the calipers. I would have the fluid flushed with a high quality fluid and the lines inspected, cheap insurance and good for the brake system..

[Bitte ein Bit]

Originally Posted by CCM911

Totally agree with your approach! I would have tried to fire it right off as well. People worry too much about these cars. They take abuse like no other! Hope you had fun on your trip!

I did, many thanks! My approach is totally different now in regards to using my 911. My old 86' had just over 50,000 miles on it and was a beautiful car but I never drove it, was afraid to park it anywhere, and found myself overall not enjoying it for various reasons...

After living in Germany and seeing old and new Porsches driven all year around, smoked in, dinged and dented I found myself almost "jealous". My neighbor has a 911, which is more his wife's than his, and they drive it all year...snow, salt, rain. It's refreshing to see. So my optic changed as I was one of those people and "worried too much". This trip was the most fun I've had with a 911. Drove it everywhere and for once never looked down to check my odometer

Overall, I just wanted to share my experience and let others know as the "storage" topic is somewhat "debated" in quite a few threads...(trust me I read them all!!!)

[Bitte ein Bit]

Originally Posted by GaryR

One thing that's often overlooked on stored cars is brake fluid and the rubber lines to the calipers. I would have the fluid flushed with a high quality fluid and the lines inspected, cheap insurance and good for the brake system..

Agreed and read that on many forums. One of the high priority tasks when I finally have time and pull it out of storage for good...