Hi, Posting this here because I had it parked in the Canadian area and I want a broader perspective (sorry Canada). I'm looking at buying a 1987 328 GTS and won't be able to drive it frequently - it might sit in the garage without driving/starting for up to 2 months at a time. When I do drive it though, it will get a good run - 60-120 minutes at a time. Is this a major issue? Should I still buy one or will it be too much trouble? Thanks
It seems like the driving is so infrequent, that I wonder the reason for purchasing. In any case, your biggest issues with leaving any car for long periods are battery life, stale fuel, and tire degradation. Seals and hoses may need replacement more often than a normal schedule.
Ha. I travel for work a lot, but I want the car. Just want to make sure it doesn't fall apart when it's not being driven.
I don't believe the 328 will much different than any other car. The parasitic load on the battery is quite low (although some stereo head units have high parasitic loads). There is a factory-installed battery disconnector anyway, so you can do a complete power-down if you want. I've been in Europe for a month now, and really didn't even give leaving my 308 a second thought. If you want to get more opinions and details, its worthwhile learning how to search on this site. The topic, and most others, has been covered many times before.
The K-Jetronic fuel injection system will work much better if run regularly. I would say to run the motor at least once a week. Also keep track of how old the fuel is. E.g. if the car sat for 6 months, I would completely drain the tank. Varnish in the system will clog the fuel filter, the FD, the WUR, and the injectors. Also the fuel is used to lubricate the pump. So if the car sits for a long time (6 months), the fuel pump may seize.
I think you are over worrying. Take a look at the general low miles of the existing Ferrari stock around the world .Not withstanding 308/328 speedo sensor failures . Then consider the previous owners usage ? Then consider car dealers and importers with stock languishing about . Then guys with a few nice toys , not museum pieces just you can,t drive more than one at a time . So for me 2 even 3/4 months at a push is not unusual for a classic Ferrari or even a stock 488 new modal to sit around unused . Like you I travel a lot and live in multiple sites ( 3 countries) The Ferrari does not follow me . Practically Bat conditioner Pump up the tyres a bit more Keep it in a nice dry garage on a shiny smooth floor so you can see leaks . Heat it if winters are severe . Hand brake OFF - chock the wheels When returning check the fluids . They run a bit lumpy at 1 st start after being left . Ck and re adjust the tyre pressure let some out hopefully! What I tend to do with fuel is basically leave it between 1/4 and 1/2 then after a long lay up top it up with Shell 99 octane to some how add / replenish/ nullify -the fuel stale side of the argument.Seems to work runs fine .Never used fuel stabiliser products . Done this with a Testarossa and 360 prior to this carb 208 Dino .No known issues. Sure theoretically seals dry up , sediments form in fluids etc tyres flat spot , brakes stick on etc etc . But I have never found that after a 6- 12 week period of inactivity. Turing it around theses guys in northern climates that put the car to bed over the winter for fear of salt understandably dissolving the car , lets face it does with Ferrari’s old and new . They advocate weekly or two weekly start ups to run up the systems etc , but if it’s a hurried thing and it’s not really getting up to the correct temps , then are these guys actually inadvertently doing more harm ? If a sports exhaust, it’s not good revving it up in the interest of the neighbours harmony. Because being at home they can just pop into the garage as and when ? Some advocate particularly the older stuff like a 328 needs a 45 min drive anyhow to get up the temps . Check out your oil temp gauge next time you go out . So on balance welcome to the club and stop worrying.
Just disconnect the battery if you don't expect to drive it for a few weeks or more. Worked for me for 33 years. Other than regular maintenance the only parts I've had to change over that 33 years have been a rusted 1-way valve in the air injection system (2010), ignition wires (2010) and a distributor rotor (2018). Car is in the north east, stored winters. No heated or climate controlled garage. 32k miles. Based on my personal experience, I think there is way too much changing parts on these cars because of the attitude, "they are old so they must be bad".
I leave my 328 unattended in a storage garage for from 4-6 months each year and have been doing this since i bought the car in '08. The ONLY thing I do is disconnect the battery and, before storage run the car for about 10 miles with stabilizer added to the fuel. That's it. On reconnecting the batt 4-6 months later, the car starts as if it had been run the day before.
I always add octane booster and two other additives, because my cars sits also. Boosted and small displacement it is prone to lspi, thus the protective additives. Then befre starting, I rock the car to mix the tank contents well. I put copper chore boys in each tailpipe to keep any vermin that might penetrate the structure out. I also fabbed up a screen for the intake tract to keep them out of the filter assembly.
It will be just fine. Battery shut off switch, climate control in garage, mouse etc prevention tactics and check tire pressure/ fluids before drives. Have a ball w it!
Don’t worry about it Trickle charger and pump tires I’ve got a bunch of cars and lots of them sit for 2-3 months at a time If you want one buy one and enjoy!
Ditto for me except I also top it off before adding the stabilizer, throw in some mouse protection (10 scented dryer sheets) and then leave it sit for 6-7 months. Starts right up and never had a single issue.
Disconnecting the battery will work fine for at least 6-7 months, assuming the batt is in good condition and fully charged when disconnected. Lot's of folks use trickle chargers but I do not like using them on an unattended vehicle - for example, like mine, the car is kept in rental storage shed when it is stored. If the car is in your garage, where you can check it regularly, then I wouldn't argue against one. I had two instances in the past where chargers failed and ruined batteries so I'm a bit gun-shy of using them for more than a top-up while I'm actually somewhere nearby. One of the "smart" chargers caught fire. Doesn't seem too damn smart to me!
It's very easy to disconnect the battery and you don't need to install anything. There is a big ground connector in the left nose of the car, behind the headlamp, on the chassis bar, accessible in the spare wheel compartment. Just open the front hood and disconnect the red plastic plug of the connector, designed and made for that purpose. Et voilà. Rgds
my 328 started up with a new battery after it sat for 7 years when I bought it. Of course, it got a full engine service once it got home. I would not recommend that to you but these are not fragile things. They are cars.
Ah...that explains the timing of some of your recent messages; considering the San Francisco time zone, I was wondering if you ever sleeped at all! Rgds
For long term storage, keep your battery on a quality trickle charger. You can disconnect the battery for shorter periods of time, but a trickle charger is healthy to keep your battery most efficient and balanced, rather than sitting stagnant. The most important advice I would give anyone (particularly those whose cars are not active for periods of time) is to invest in C9 fuel from VP. It is pure, clean and safe in your tank. It is the best safegaurd to your system and excellent for your fuel line and engine. https://vpracingfuels.com/product/c9/
I just disconnect the battery with the red installed connector under the front bonnet and leave it. Should be fine when ready to drive, run it for maybe 5 minutes still you hear the revs drop and away you go but keep it gentle for the first few kilometres to allow the gearbox to warm up. 328's are very reliable, other Ferrari's may need a lot more babying before putting them to sleep or waking them up.
