Winter engine running

[Car52]

For the past two winters I’ve kept my 1988 3.2 useable, finding a dry sunny day at least once a month to give it a (minimum) run of 10 miles and thus giving the engine a full heat cycle. I never put it away wet, but of course even on dry winter roads there are residual white salt crystals. The question is, which is least damaging … dry, flicked up road salt or not running the car at all? I always have to try and balance the two … any thoughts? ??

 

[Scrounger]

As long as you try and wash off as much of the road salt and dry it properly you should be ok. It would also be worth taking the wheel arch linings out when the weather gets warmer and flush out any crud that may also be in there.

Dan

 

[Car52]

Thanks for that Dan … as it happens I managed 35 dry miles today with no road salt so that’ll take me to Christmas!

 

[ian harvey]

I've done the same as you for nearly 30 years and never regretted it (on a 3.2 and a 964). I hardly ever garaged them when wet and always gave them a good run to the next village and back after washing and it paid dividends with the underside and things like brake callipers.

Conversely, on the one occasion when I didn't use my 964 much, it didn't appreciate it and needed a good few weeks of regular use and some new parts (fuel filter and relay) to get it running as well as before. We've not had any salt on local roads so far this winter and I've been able to continue enjoying my car recently. This weekend looks fine, too....

 

[Car52]

That seems the best way Ian - thanks for that, there‘s always a bit of a compromise and I think use is as important as not using it at all!
Enjoy the weekend weather! ??

 

[geedee]

From some years back I seem to remember discussions on head stud breakage on 911`s being associated with lack of use and short runs..? In more recent years it seems there are those happy to lay-up their air cooled over Winters and longer and do not think twice about jumping in them and just driving off.. I am too mechanically sympathetic to engage in that sort of treatment.
Were I fortunate to still own an air cooled, I like the advice given by Baz Hart of Hartech who knows his way around Porsches and seems to suggest using one`s Porsche at least once a month, getting it up to operating temperature to keep all systems alive and kicking might be a reasonable way to go...?

 

[Car52]

From some years back I seem to remember discussions on head stud breakage on 911`s being associated with lack of use and short runs..? In more recent years it seems there are those happy to lay-up their air cooled over Winters and longer and do not think twice about jumping in them and just driving off.. I am too mechanically sympathetic to engage in that sort of treatment.
Were I fortunate to still own an air cooled, I like the advice given by Baz Hart of Hartech who knows his way around Porsches and seems to suggest using one`s Porsche at least once a month, getting it up to operating temperature to keep all systems alive and kicking might be a reasonable way to go...?

That’s pretty much confirmed that then …. Many thanks!