Hello all. I Live in Toronto Canada. My 1999 996 Cabriolet Viola Metallic has been sleeping since November. It's covered in an unheated garage. Although I can't wait to start it up in a few weeks, I'm also a little concerned about bare metal grinding against bare metal. Are there any simple DIY things I could do to prep the car for restarting? Or should I just leave it in my garage all year where it will remain shiny forever?

 

 

The important thing with storage, as far as your engine is concerned, is to change the oil right before you put it to sleep. The main risk of damage is from contaminants and especially moisture in the oil. Beyond that, just start it up. Once you do, take it out for a long drive the first time out, not a short commute.

It sounds like this is the first time you've stored a car for the winter? If so, the one thing you may want to do is make sure your tire pressures are maxed so that you don't get flat spots. And the car should without fail be stored with a full fuel tank.

 

I've taken every precaution you mentioned (and then some) so I'll just keep my fingers crossed. You're right, this is my first storage. Thanks.

 

It will sound like a bucket of bolts for the first 30 sec and until the oil pressure is high enough to lube the valvetrain. I know guys with 993's that disconnect the DME and let it turn over a few times without the engine firing to get the oil pressure up. I wouldn't even know where to find the DME on a 996 though. Best solution: don't store it and drive it year round, your car will thank you for it.

 

Hook her up to a "Battery Tender" and throw a couple of small rugs under her shoes, she'll thank you in the spring

 

Cool. In the spring, it will be like getting a new car all over again.

I stored my BMW roadster for seven winters, so I know how it feels.

If I was storing my 996 in the winter, there's one thing I'd do that I didn't do with the Bimmer and have not heard mentioned here: I'd put a switch on the battery like race cars have. I live in a condo, so a battery tender isn't an option for me.

 

Welcome to Rennlist!! Will hand over "running baton" to Tim K.

 

I am starting to wonder what is taking so long. I really like Viola metallic.
Can't wait much longer, might have to PM Tim

 

Ok... OK!!!! Jeeze, I was doing some work in the garage, rebuilding part of my workbench. Beside that, he said the car was in hibernation all covered up.

Ahem <Tim clears his throat. >

Purple, Welcome to Rennlist and Congrats on getting what "sounds like" a very nice looking 996. We can't be certain though, because you didn’t post any pics! It is customary for Newbies to tell us a little about their car (which you did) and to post a couple of pics of the car (which you didn't). When this oversight occurs, the guys ask me to give the newbie initiation speech.

Hey Newbie, where so you think you are.... on a Bimmer Board? Come on, post the !@$%^&* PICS!!! <Tim whispers to Purple so no one else can hear it. Hey, I don't really like doing this but these guys make me do it. Whispering stops >

As you have probably figured out, this is all in good fun and kind of my way of welcoming you to Rennlist. We really would like to see some pics of your car. Again, Welcome to Rennlist.

How did I do guys????

 

Well.... I think you slapped me down a bit harder than that, for sure no whispering treatment to me.
All in all it was worth the wait, nicely done, just a tiny bit soft. I give it a 7.85
Do you have room in the garage workbench project for a computer? This could help us all out in keeping up with things.

 

Not bad Tim, but I think that you're a little off your game... gotta get you back ingto training camp.

As for experts on restarting engines after storage, you should PM Phil G. Phil has a C4S that spends ALL of it's life in storage. He occasionally starts it up, pulls it to the end of the driveway and makes "vrrooom" noises before pulling it back into the garage and putting it back on ice.

I've never met a car that does storage so well - that car is so pristine that even the insides of the wheel wells shine. Phils car puts the Porsche Parade Concours winner to shame.

How was that Tim?

 

I knew when I saw the title of this thread that it was only a matter of time until the Phil-bashing began! But, I'm used to it. And since my lovely new Audi S4 has it's tranny spread out all over the floor of the shop, I may be using the Porsche more than you would ever imagine!! Maybe I'll just get me one of them Chevy Aveo's and call it a day.

 

I knew you'd show up if if I called your name.

I don't know what's worse a car that would die of shock if you drove it, or a car that committed suicide rather than let you drive it.

 

Wayne, that was a good one, which was verified by Phil's response. HOwever, I just can't believe you were at Phil. I would never think of doing anything like that!!!!