Winter Storage Advice

[ChrisCarter]

In early November I tucked my car away in the barn, covered her up and switched on the de humidifier, plugged in the battery maintenance charger and have left her untouched.
A friend said I should have been starting her up at least weekly and leaving the engine running or it does it no good to leave the engine stood for so long un started.
Is this right ? Should I be doing something prior to starting since has been stood now for 2 months ?
I am desperate to start using again but refuse to go on these dirty salt ridden roads for another week or 2 (or 3, we are in the UK !)

 

[racea]

Hi,

My 996 turbo has been garaged since early November, with a trickle charger. And has therefore not been started for nearly 3 months now. The advice I was given was if you start it up make sure it gets to normal operating temperature. I was also told to store with a full tank of petrol to minimise any water residue in the tank. I don't intend to run until end of February.

If you are only leavening for weeks you will be fine without starting.

Cheers.

 

[N.Alam]

I have left my aircooled 930 in the garage for over 5 months at a time without starting I had a rotary battery cut off switch in the boot never charged in anyway and she always started keeping the starter on for 5 seconds first time every time. Sold it with the same battery fully operating 10 years later.

 

[tscaptain]

ORIGINAL: N.Alam

I have left my aircooled 930 in the garage for over 5 months at a time without starting I had a rotary battery cut off switch in the boot never charged in anyway and she always started keeping the starter on for 5 seconds first time every time. Sold it with the same battery fully operating 10 years later.

I have a suspicion that 997 batteries won't hold up so well without being on a conditioner..............[]

I tend to use mine through the Winter from time to time so standing for months at a time is never an issue. Short of removing the plugs or fuel pump fuse I don't think there's much you can do in terms of turning over without starting to get the oil moving. I have read that moving the car one way or the other so that it doesn't sit on the same patches of rubber all Winter long is a good idea - or pump up the tyres to a much higher pressure. Some before and after storage tips here

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/blog/motorsport/store-car-winter/

 

[ChrisCarter]

Thanks guys for your advice,

Not worried on the battery front as it is 2 years old and always on a maintenance charger. Its true that you can get flat spots minimized by over inflating or jacking up but I haven't done either... oops , thanks Captain for the reminder .

So, Impatience and Intrigue got the better of me. Turned her over and she fired up immediately but was a little rough and the engine check light came on advising inspection. I switched off and then turned her over again and this time ran smooth and no engine check lights. Left her running until water and oil up to temperature and drove her up and down the drive a few times (Its quite long !) . Bit strange the light came on but if I remember that happened last year when I left her stood for a long time. and never seen the warning since until now. Will leave her for a few days and try again to make sure all is well.

I've ordered some sun so hopefully we can all go out and enjoy very soon

 

[dereksharpuk]

If you leave a car/aeroplane for a long time, the oil drains from the cylinder walls and with varying temperatures/humidity condensation forms in the bores causing corrosion. Best to start the engine every 2 - 3 weeks and let it run until warm.