Winter storage

[livi]

Greetings from Sweden !
Finally bought my dreamcar last November. Grand Prix White, Carrera -85. No garage so I have built a wooden shed directly on the lawn. No floor just the grass. My car is protected from snow, rain and debris but it is still a cold and damp environment. I am worried about the risk of corrosion but have no alternatives. I thougt it a good solution but after browsing this forum, rennlist and Pelican Parts and reading about owners precations with strict controlling temperature, humidity etc etc even in their garages, I am starting to fear my precious car will fall apart in a pile of rust before spring. Also I would love to drive it nice days in winter but the general concensus seems to advice against that because of all the salt and dirt on the roads.
Any coments on my storage facility or thoughts on winter driving would be much appreciated.

 

[Guest]

Hi livi, welcome to the smiling world of Porsche! []

Well... I too have heard of people keeping their cars in a mysterious device called a 'garage' and I've even heard of people keeping in a humidity-controlled plastic tent in the garage, or with a heater on constantly. [8|]

Of course, if I had a garage then I'd store my car in it overnight if possible, but I don't have one. Mine lives outside the house without a cover as I use it daily whatever the weather. I did agonise over not having it covered when I first bought it last May and much as I would like it to never rust, it will show signs one day. When that happens, I'll fix it.

My eventual reasoning was that the car was designed to be driven and so that's what I do. Every day. Whatever the weather. The car likes it and so do I! That's my view, anyway.[]

I have to admit, though, that I admire your determination to build a shed for it on the garden! []

John

 

[Guest]

Livi
Sounds like you've created the perfect rust environment(open earth,moisture saturated floor). If you really must use this structure then at least put down a membrane such as polythene(viscuine builders grade ideally)followed by some "kingspan" or equivalent high density polystyrene boards and top off with exterior grade plywood or tongue and groove planking.On completion seal between the walls and floor with some silastic sealant or such.
Welcome to the club Livi and enjoy your Porsche!
Ian.[]

 

[livi]

Thanks Ian, good idea. I think I will do just that. And thank you John for your pragmatic perspective. I will try to be less neurotic about it and just drive the car. Come to think of it - that´s why I bought it in the first place !

Markus

 

[Guest]

Hi Markus and welcome,

Well it seems you have been very industrius what with fabricating your Porsche 'shed'. I don't know about you but I drive my 911 whenever I can, rain or shine but I think I'm maybe about to pay the price because the inner sills are starting to rust through from the inside, but my car is a targa and they are far more prone to this type of corrosion than coupe's. (as are convertibles) Having said that I've had my Carrera 10 years now (its a 1985 targa sport) and I havent had to spend a single penny on the bodywork!
Mind you I havent added up what I've spent on servicing over the years. Dont really want to, too scared, Wife might see!
But to be honest not much has gone wrong with it, in fact its never let me down in all this time and its done 135,000 miles!
Well it nearly let me down when the flywheel sensors packed up but I was only 50 metres from my house and I managed to roll the rest of the way then the last few yards (on an incline) I had to use the starter motor.
Sorry getting carried away, nice to hear from you and roll on the summer!

Cheers Glenn.

 

[livi]

Well, so I guess when it comes to handcrafted "sheds" I sense that the generall consensus leans in the direction of -"You´re an idiot ". Mind You, it took me two weeks to build the damn thing. Ha, ha ! Wait, perhaps the wife...[]

 

[Guest]

Hey livi, you should take a pic and post it - I'd like to see the efforts of your 2 weeks hard labour! []

 

[livi]

No You don´t , John ! []

But seriously, I will just as soon as I can pay for a digital camera. Put my cash in the shed, so to speak...

Markus

 

[wblackw9]

Oh behave!!!! Drive it all year round im sure there will be some nice days for it!

 

[peanut]

starting and running the engine up to normal operating temperature will help the engine and cooling system but you really need to take it for a short run of 5-10 miles min once a month at least or a whole lot of seals are going to perish ie brake master/ wheelcylinder, gearbox, transmision suspension etc etc
.re tyres best bet is to support car on axle stands or your tyres willl develop flat spots after a few months.

 

[maddogii]

To all that responded; thanks for your advice and tips.

 

[Gary C]

Got my 3.2 in storage now and got Ruby-dry de-humidifier on order (looking forward to spring []).

Not managed to get the car up on blocks yet.

Where are the best places to rest the car on (got some good wood blocks for the job)

If the tyres go a bit flat spotted from sitting on them for a few months, will they run back round after a few miles ?

 

[peanut]

If the tyres develop flat spots they never recover as far as I know. They will run like the wheels have lost their balance weights with lots of vibration.
I would say the safest place to block the car would be under the wishbones.

 

[RICHOT89]

Apart from saying - don't just store it, use it and enjoy it on the good winter days - get a decent humidifier and a desk fan to put on the floor to keep the air moving. - Have used this for my 'classics' for over 30 yrs and never had any corrosion issues.

Over inflate the tyres a little to try to prevent flat spots.

Get a decent battery charger/conditioner.

 

[Ray]

I have a pair of reusable dehumidifiers placed in the car throughout the year. They plug into the mains to dry them out with indicators to show when they are either dry (ready for use) or wet indicating they need to be dried. I also use a breathable dust cover to keep dust etc off of the paintwork and a trickle charger/monitor which is connected to the battery. Just to keep the battery charge up to spec. There is also a battery isolator fitted which when disconnected still allows a small current to pass to keep your radio and clock running but if the ignition is switched on a fuse blows and acts as a anti-theft device.
But as Rich says, drive it whenever you can that's the thrill of them.
Regards

Ray

 

[RICHOT89]

How "Dry" is your brick garage? Is it part of your house or separate? As said, the key is to keep the air moving as to stop condensation.

Air movement is essential - That is why I use a desk fan (plus dehumidifier) in my garages and have had no condensation problems over the last 20+yrs. Desk fans are rather cheaper than Carcoons! And its quicker to get your car out and in!
If you do invest in a dehumidifier, make sure it is one with an adjustable cut-off so that it doesn't reduce the humidity of the air too low (<50%) as this will dry out leather etc if left at a low level for a prolonged period.

Hope this helps

 

[KEVS500]

+1 for Carcoon. Protects, dehumidifies and battery conditions all in one. Outside version available too. No link with company, just a happy customer.

 

[spongebobtom]

Thanks folks, lots of useful info. I will probably hook some fans up in the garage for the time being and then look into this Carcoon product.

 

[911 targa]

You bought the car to enjoy so why do you want to store her .
Keep her moving restisis is a car killer
Paul

 

[Kevin Frost]

Although mine will live in a Carcoon, I do plan to use it on nice dry winter days. lots have said that inactivity causes problems with these cars & they don't like to sit.