During long periods of storage, such as winter. How often should the 928 be started. How long should it idle and should I rev the engine at all or just let her run for a while.

 

...1662: Start every week or two; Run up to normal temp; no need
to rev, unless you can't resist; run for the equivalent of a circuit
of the emerald necklace, or a round trip to the West side market.

(Is your shark garaged??)

G'luck.

 

Macreel. She is in my heated garage under the NSX on my storage rack. I keep the garage temp at 55*. I force myself not to drive any of my cars on the salty cleveland roads. I usually do start it every 2-weeks and run it for about 10 minutes. I just wanted to make sure that was not damaging anything like the exhaust.

 

I may be on the wrong end of this discussion.

But if you have prepared your Shark for storage by changing the oil just before you put it away, adding a good fuel stabilizer and all of the other little things, I do not like to start the car and let it idle. If you start it, I fully believe that you should drive it and then take it on a little 5-10 mile drive.

Starting it and letting it idle may require an extended time for the oxygen sensor to come up to temperature adding to the waste products in the oil. In addition, Just starting the car does nothing for the transmission, wheel bearings, brake cylinders etc.

I always change the oil before putting a unit in storage...This way all of the contaminants do not have a chance to set and etch during the several months the car is stored.

If you are concerned that your battery will run down, pull the battery and store it in a cool dry place until needed or put a battery tender on the car.

I do not agree with an idling car. In Germany if you were to start your car and let it warm up in the morning you would get a ticket. Our cars are meant to be started and driven.

Regards,

Ken

 

I agree don't start the car until spring. Think of it this way 15-20 dry starts, or 1 dry start in spring.
Also idling for 20 mi is not sufficient to charge the battery.
Cover the exhaust tips with plastic bags and few moth ***** under the car. (keeps mice away) Don't forget to remove the battery. Charge to 100% before storage.

 

originally living in a climate much more north than most of you here on the board, why not just drive your car in the winter, and wash it off if/when it gets dirty? I'm not saying to put big knobby tires on it and drive it in deep snow, but unless you're slipping and sliding around on ice, what's the harm? At least you get to drive it and the car gets a regular workout.

 

Troy:

I do take my 928 out when the roads are dry. As a matter of fact I had it out today. However, if there is ice and snow on the roads the 928 is not very pleasant to drive and that just takes into account that you don't do something stupid...there is still the other guys on the road to worry about. Thats why I have my 911 C-4 (Allwheel drive) with Blizzaks on it. As a point of preservation however, you can't deny the common sense of putting these cars away during the most hostile and inclement time of the year.

Regards,

Ken

 

I totally agree Ken - if the roads are icy/salty/messy, then definitely drive something else (I was thinking of a winter beater - your's just happens to be a C4!), otherwise, drive the shark and enjoy!

 

The benefit of paying the silly home prices in CA is the weather....usually not below 40's during the winter....but the 100+ summer does get old, but at least I can drive my 928 year round!

 

Here's what I do.

1. Dump in some fuel stabilizer and make sure it get's mixed in and into the fuel lines by driving around a bit.
2. wash it
3. park it in the garage, just the way I want it.
4. I disconnect the gound strap - seems to have worked thus far, but may go to a battery maintainer soon
5a. if I'm going to be working on the car, I may go ahead and put it up on jack stands
5b. If I'm done working on it and want to put it down on the ground for more than 4 weeks, I over inflate the tires - to about 45-50 psi. I heard this tip from a *gasp* BMW group. Supposedly the extra pressure is enough to keep the tires from flat spotting. Seems to have worked pretty good last year. Just let out some air and your ready to go.
6. I don't change my oil until spring... no reason, just how I've always done it.

That's about it.