Discussion
Now that winter is on its way I am thinking for putting the car in the garage for a couple of months and I am looking for some advice on what to do and what not to do.
It's only a vanilla 997.1 C2S but I don't fancy driving it when the roads are salty and icy.
I will take it out every two weeks or so for a good run (if I get chance) but in the meantime, is there anything I should consider when putting it in the garage for a few weeks?
All advice is welcome
It's only a vanilla 997.1 C2S but I don't fancy driving it when the roads are salty and icy.
I will take it out every two weeks or so for a good run (if I get chance) but in the meantime, is there anything I should consider when putting it in the garage for a few weeks?
All advice is welcome
I just give mine a good clean then make sure it's fully dry, eg brake discs etc. A run out once more would ensure this but may undo all your washing.
I then stick some extra air in the tyres, to help keep them round, chuck it in the garage with the dehumidifier and battery conditioner on as usual and forget about it.
When I dig it out in the spring I'll take it straight for its service to get some fresh oil in.
Don't forget to reset tyre pressures!
I then stick some extra air in the tyres, to help keep them round, chuck it in the garage with the dehumidifier and battery conditioner on as usual and forget about it.
When I dig it out in the spring I'll take it straight for its service to get some fresh oil in.
Don't forget to reset tyre pressures!
Hi V8,
I leave next to nothing in but, some people say they have had bother starting the car in the spring when doing that.
The way I look at it though is that if the fuel is going to go off, I'd rather have a tiny bit to use up in the spring, than a full tank of the stuff.
Good point about the oil Dr Mark. My oil has always been renewed in March and will have covered a few thousand mlles max by autumn, so I prefer to leave that in and renew in spring again, but I can see why people may do it your way.
Do you change before and after winter then?
I'm a fanny but that seems excessive even to me.
As for the cling film on the exhausts I've never heard of that, but it's got me thinking. I may do that. Condensation does wear exhausts but on the other hand if I'm not starting the car and warming them up, I'm not sure if there'll be any benefit.
Is that why you do it David? Or is it to keep critters out?
I leave next to nothing in but, some people say they have had bother starting the car in the spring when doing that.
The way I look at it though is that if the fuel is going to go off, I'd rather have a tiny bit to use up in the spring, than a full tank of the stuff.
Good point about the oil Dr Mark. My oil has always been renewed in March and will have covered a few thousand mlles max by autumn, so I prefer to leave that in and renew in spring again, but I can see why people may do it your way.
Do you change before and after winter then?
I'm a fanny but that seems excessive even to me.
As for the cling film on the exhausts I've never heard of that, but it's got me thinking. I may do that. Condensation does wear exhausts but on the other hand if I'm not starting the car and warming them up, I'm not sure if there'll be any benefit.
Is that why you do it David? Or is it to keep critters out?
Birdster said:
Just curious about the Turbo? How did they find out all wasn't as it seemed? Saw something crawl out of the exhaust? Or wouldn't start, rough idle etc.
It was an article in the PCGB Porsche Post a long time ago, but seem to remember the vermin that got in there caused thousands of Pounds worth of damage!You can add a fuel stabiliser to the fuel tank - I usually do this with my boat and have never had a problem with fuel degradation after 5 months of lay up.
I'll just pre-empt those of you will feel the need to tell me that a Porsche isn't a boat - I already know that. The principle is the same.
I'll just pre-empt those of you will feel the need to tell me that a Porsche isn't a boat - I already know that. The principle is the same.
David Hype said:
Birdster said:
Just curious about the Turbo? How did they find out all wasn't as it seemed? Saw something crawl out of the exhaust? Or wouldn't start, rough idle etc.
It was an article in the PCGB Porsche Post a long time ago, but seem to remember the vermin that got in there caused thousands of Pounds worth of damage!pete.g said:
I'll just pre-empt those of you will feel the need to tell me that a Porsche isn't a boat - I already know that. The principle is the same.
It's crap having to cover yourself against the pedants isn't it. 
Yep David squirrels and mice are little buggers.
The squirrels favourite is storing nuts in airboxes, which is usually discovered when the car won't go over 40mph (probably a bit more in a porsche
)Mice love electrics and can spend many a happy hour nibbling away under the dash.
MrCooke said:
No, brim it.
Water in the fuel evaporates and causes corrosion. If the tank is full, it can't evaporate.
The newer cars have plastic tanks though don't they?Water in the fuel evaporates and causes corrosion. If the tank is full, it can't evaporate.
I agree though in metal tanks, keep 'em brimmed. I always do this on motorbikes.
Edited by marky911 on Tuesday 6th November 18:57
marky911 said:
Yep David squirrels and mice are little buggers.
The squirrels favourite is storing nuts in airboxes, which is usually discovered when the car won't go over 40mph (probably a bit more in a porsche )
Mice love electrics and can spend many a happy hour nibbling away under the dash.
I had this a few years ago. Little bThe squirrels favourite is storing nuts in airboxes, which is usually discovered when the car won't go over 40mph (probably a bit more in a porsche
)Mice love electrics and can spend many a happy hour nibbling away under the dash.
ds got in, made there home in pollen filter, then somehow got INTO the Litronic headlight unit and ate the cables inside it.Little f
kers cost me nearly £1k 
Birdster said:
Just curious about the Turbo? How did they find out all wasn't as it seemed? Saw something crawl out of the exhaust? Or wouldn't start, rough idle etc.
Over a year ago I came upon a 996 Turbo cab in for what proved to be critter damage. The owner brought the car in because the CEL was on and the engine was not running right.Tech did some initial diagnostics with the computer and with the car then in the air spotted rodent litter laying on the under body tray.
Further investigation found the damn things had chewed up the inside of the car -- but in areas not normally visible to humans even when the engine compartment lid open -- and the engine harness. Engine had to be dropped to replace the harness.
(I snapped pics of the car's damage.)
Cost to fix the car was very high and the owner fell back on his home owners insurance to cover the cost of the repairs.
The creatures will not crawl into the exhaust. They'll get on top of the panels -- these make nice mice/rat walkways -- and chew/gnaw everything. I've seen them chew through a gasoline vapor line which runs down teh center of the car from the tank to the engine compartment only stopping when they get a whiff or 3 of gasoline fumes when they chew through the line. The owner gets a big repair bill to address the CEL arising from the vapor recovery vapor system leak.
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