Cold storage tips?

[pessemist]

I have a 1999' mint condition 996 with 100K miles. I live in the Midwest and our winters can be brutal. I do not drive the car in the winter so it sits covered up in an unheated garage.

I've talked to a couple people. Right now once a week I start the car and just let it idle for 20 minutes. My thinking is this lubricates the internal seals and keeps everything coated with a layer of oil inside.

I let the car idle at full temp for 10 minutes or so to make sure the exhaust is good and hot to burn off condensation. If we get a break in the weather with no water or salt on the road I may take it out (couple times during the winter months is usual frequency).

I have a battery tender on it but prefer to have it charge itself up during these once a week runs.

I've talked to two different Porsche mechanics: One says this is the perfect way to store it while the other suggests I may be doing more harm than good running it once a week in idle for 20 minutes.

What are the thoughts of the experts on here about storage and running the engine weekly?

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by pessemist

I have a 1999' mint condition 996 with 100K miles. I live in the Midwest and our winters can be brutal. I do not drive the car in the winter so it sits covered up in an unheated garage.

I've talked to a couple people. Right now once a week I start the car and just let it idle for 20 minutes. My thinking is this lubricates the internal seals and keeps everything coated with a layer of oil inside.

I let the car idle at full temp for 10 minutes or so to make sure the exhaust is good and hot to burn off condensation. If we get a break in the weather with no water or salt on the road I may take it out (couple times during the winter months is usual frequency).

I have a battery tender on it but prefer to have it charge itself up during these once a week runs.

I've talked to two different Porsche mechanics: One says this is the perfect way to store it while the other suggests I may be doing more harm than good running it once a week in idle for 20 minutes.

What are the thoughts of the experts on here about storage and running the engine weekly?

What you are doing is the worst possible thing, starting and running the car while it is in storage helps foul the oil with moisture and fuel, breaking it down and allowing acids to form which will attack the bearing surfaces. What you should be doing is changing the oil and filter just before storage, adding Stabil to your fuel system, clean the car from top to bottom more, hook up a quality battery maintainer, and then just let it sit until spring.

[pessemist]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

What you are doing is the worst possible thing, starting and running the car while it is in storage helps foul the oil with moisture and fuel, breaking it down and allowing acids to form which will attack the bearing surfaces. What you should be doing is changing the oil and filter just before storage, adding Stabil to your fuel system, clean the car from top to bottom more, hook up a quality battery maintainer, and then just let it sit until spring.

Thank you the excellent advice. Definitely will follow it.

[markp92692]

Hi Folks
Looking for some advise since the post above discusses warm up.
Location So Cal temp at start up 50degrees.
On start up Oil Pressure is 5 bars. until 150+ degrees on temp gauge

Q:? how long should Idle / Warmup before drive off ?

I typically wait a few min b/4 drive off

Thanks for the feedback Mark

[tonythetarga]

In those temps you car drive off right away. Having said that, it doesn't mean redline rpm's when you drive away. The car will warm up under slight loading (normal city driving) better than sitting and idling for a long time.

[markp92692]

Hi Tony
Thank you for the feedback , new rule > will be 1 min .

Follow up Q:? with the oil so cold and the pressure so high.
why would you not want to have the oil pressure lower (car warmer) ?

I live 2min from the Freeway, this is my typical route is straight to the freeway @ 3k+ RPM -

maybe you could offer a brief explanation. any feedback is appreciated

Thank you Mark

[tonythetarga]

What grade oil are you using? Might be too thick for winter maybe?
Since you’re so close to the expressway, and higher speeds, then I’d warm up a bit more than a minute.
In a normal street drive with stop and go traffic the car will warm up gradually plus the trans warms up too. Idling mostly warms engine oil and coolant after about 10-12 minutes.

[markp92692]

Hi Tony
Thank you for your reply.
996 C2 100k / Guy Smith - San Luis Obispo @ rebuild @70k
Location Southern Ca. - Orange County
Stored in a Garage daily, ambient temp inside 60
Oil 5-40 Mobil 1

Typically I have a 3-5 min warm up Temp on gauge 120 - ish Pressure solid 5 bars

I try to drop it to 4 bars before driving off , then to the freeway @ 3k RPM until 180 degrees . Typical drive is 1+hrs / 50miles

Again Thanks for your feedback , and advise about what I should be doing - or not doing

[fmracer]

Best remedy for the Winter Blues?

Get some Blizzack winter tires and drive that puppy!!

Don't let Mother Nature cheat you out of a wonderful winter driving experience.

And, you'll be toasty warm in the cockpit thanks to your awesome water heater flat six.

Enjoy!

Drift

P.S. It was -8 F on this particular morning in Mid-Michigan.