short stints in 911S

[stack]

Is it true that starting/driving an early 911 for just a short stint (say to move car into garage or whatever) is damaging, in particular for an S engine (I have 2.4S)?

[Reza]

No.

constant and frequent short drives, 20 minutes or less. and NEVER going further, gradually becomes bad for the engine oil, which leads to sludge buildup.

if you do 3 short drives and one big long one, it will be fine. the key is that to drive long enough at some point, to get the engine oil hot enough to boil off the condensation and water that has formed when parked. the water, when not properly boiled off, becomes sludge with the oil.

reza

[911quest]

The early cars with carbs that didn't have CDI can be a pain if you don't let them run. The spark plugs on these can be easly fouled.

[Eminence Gris]

In general, i would rather have a 100,000 mile car that was driven mostly on longer jaunts than a 40,000 mile car that was used exclusively as a commuter. Heat cycles are a significant factor in the life of key components of these engines.

[tomkirkcis]

Short starts are terrible for exhaust systems. we have all seen condensate coming out of the exhaust shortly after start up. If the exhaust does not get hot enought to completely dry, premature rust issues.

Tom

[csbush]

You can also counter the effects of moisture in the oil by changing it more frequently. Other than that, you should be fine.

[tom1394racing]

+1 on the moisture in the muffler issue.

I always try to run mine on the road long enough to heat up the exhaust every time I start it.

[Chuck Miller]

I've learned that once I start my car I try (my damndest) to drive it up to running temp (takes awhile) every time before letting it sit again.

It not only gets the moisture out, but heats all the engine alloys enough to re-expand them, distributes the lubrication where it needs to go, re-'wets' the seals... and reminds 'everything' what to do and where to go.......

We've all heard that worst thing you can do to an air cooled Porsche is let it sit for a long time......
Well, I've experienced that this practice seems to counter most of that.... at least for about the last 125,000 miles or so....

My .02

Cheers