Winter Storage

[84CarreraTB]

I am a new owner, 1985 Porsche Carrera 911, and I wanted input on winter storage. I live near Hamilton Ontario, so winters are cold.

I hate the thought of putting it away but the salt here is brutal.

Thanks

[geza]

By unheated storage, the assumption is that it will be in a garage.........

Look at the max. pressure listed on the sidewall of your tires - it should be around 58psi........pump them up to this max pressure - whatever it is. This information on cold storage may be in your owner's manual.

Close all vents/sunroof - you may also want to insert rags soaked in WD40 into the tail pipe to prevent rodents from nesting there (be careful if you start the car/removal of the rags will be extremely necessary!)

Use mouse/rat traps so they aren't tempted to nibble on any wiring.

Change the engine oil and install a new oil filter.

If you'd like, buy some silica gell dessicant bags and place them on a thick rag located on the carpet flooring - these will absorb humidity, although knowing your area, moisture is probably not an issue.

Leave the car on its tires (do not jack up, as the shock absorber rods which are hard chromed could oxidise - ruining the seals upon compression in the spring!)

Move the car forwards/backwards every 3 - 4 weeks so that the tires set on a slightly different spot - resulting in the lowest chance to get flat spots on the tires.

Buy a good battery maintainer (trickle charger) that will maintain the battery in a "float" state - where it will keep the battery at its optimum state of charge without fear of cooking it dry (check the battery acid levels before you do this - if low, do what it says in the manual - fill with distilled water)

You may also want to change the air filter on the engine - or maybe not if it is clean or was recently replaced.

You should be OK with these suggestions - I do the same with our 04 here in Chicago.

Edited December 2, 2005 by geza

[JimB]

That's a great list that I would only add a couple of items to. 1) Fill you gas tank as full as possible. This will stop condensation from developing in the tank. 2) When you move the car, push it. Don't start it. 3) You can also use steel wool to block exhaust pipes, etc. Rodents can't eat through it.

Jim

[70Sixter]

That's a great list that I would only add a couple of items to. 1) Fill you gas tank as full as possible. This will stop condensation from developing in the tank.

Jim

Jim's right about the gas, but add Stabil also.