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I purchased an 87 S4 in March off eBay. (pics below) and have slowly been getting her back up to speed (pun intended) She was a bit neglected mechanically but the body was in great shape and the interior in pretty good shape. She was originally purchased in NJ and headed to LA shortly after. She spent a couple years in SOCAL and then headed to Seattle where she spent the majority of her life. I brought her to Atlanta in April and started getting busy. She was originally silver metallic with burgundy interior but a PO gave her an over spray of a darker matte silver finish. She has sport seats with heat and no rear air.
Now that she is nearing a point where she will be a dependable driver, I thought I would make my first post. I have spent many hours reading and searching and can say that the 928 community is amazing for the knowledge I have found as well as the willingness of members to lend a hand!
I have made friends (an a solid customer) with Roger as well as the 928 Intl guys and they have been super helpful. I have also met many Atlanta area owners through Richvm's monthly gatherings and Kevin in Atlanta has been a great resource as well.
I have completed the following:
New MAF
New O2 sensor
DeOxiT just about everywhere
cleaned grounds
new relays and fuses (many were very oxidized)
new left and right window motors (in-op when purchased)
new console switches (in-op when purchased)
new interior lights (in-op when purchased)
New stereo head unit, amp and speakers (head unit and amp in-op)
combo switch
tail light harness fix (thanks Roger!) no brake lights when purchased
replaced hatch switches (both broken off when purchased)
Refurb A/C head unit
new expansion valve
new dryer with pressure switch
new freeze switch
brake pads and sensors
Rotors, caps and plug wires
PS reservoir and rubber flex hoses
rebuilt PS rack
Right now having top end refresh along with
All hoses, gaskets, seals
fuel lines
vacuum hoses fittings
timing belt
porken tensioner
water pump
TT bearings and PKlamp
GB oil cooler lines
Aluminum oil filler tube (plastic one seriously warped)
knock sensors, hall sensor, crank position sensor, throttle position sensor
Intake, cam covers, water bridge, strut brace and oil filler tube are at powder coaters.
Needed to complete:
seats recovered - front and back
sunroof in-op but not sure if I want to get it working or not
new suspension
new 18 inch rims
Top end refresh being done by Bill Graff at Classic Imports in Lawrenceville "Atlanta". Bill has a 928 and has worked on several others, nice to have someone knowledgeable close to me (7 miles). Most of the other ATL guys are 45-50 miles away so not easy to run by and chat. I have posted a few pics below of car as I got her and will post others as I progress.
Apologize for the lengthy post but after reading many new posts, I wanted to get as much information as possible as you guys like to know what is going on.
Welcome to the Tank.
You've chosen a good vintage year - the Patriarch of the S4 generation.
That hose across the front of the engine with the 2 pin sensor/connector is a curious thing - I'm trying to discern what it is.
Your sport seats are nice to have - Joanne at ColorPlus.com might be able to help - it doesn't look like a 'through and through' lesion on the passenger seat, but I can't completely tell from the pic.
Jager might be able to help with a cover for the inside air temp sensor cover that you have - mine was a bit chewed up too, and a brushed stainless cover fit right over the existing one to freshen up the look. http://www.jageng.com/garage9/index....abd3da27d45b01
Forgot to say that it had a long block replacement at 153,000 miles (has 178,000) and work was done by a local transmission shop in Seattle so finding out that several things aren't where they are supposed to be.
Appreciate the Jaeger mention, I actually installed their arm rest supports as both my were way loose. As well as the door stops as I got tired of the doors closing on me as I was working on the car.
That hose across the front of the engine with the 2 pin sensor/connector is a curious thing - I'm trying to discern what it is.
That is the carbon canister purge solenoid valve- it is a little misrouted. On every car I've seen/worked on, it typically sits right on top of the 'shelf' of the waterpump, underneath the upper radiator hose.
Or is it? If you look at its description in the '87 Service Info booklet, they also have it running 'over' the radiator hose. Perhaps that was just for illustrative purposes:
That is the carbon canister purge solenoid valve- it is a little misrouted. On every car I've seen/worked on, it typically sits right on top of the 'shelf' of the waterpump, underneath the upper radiator hose.
Or is it? If you look at its description in the '87 Service Info booklet, they also have it running 'over' the radiator hose. Perhaps that was just for illustrative purposes:
Welcome. It sounds like you are doing what it takes to make it a very nice car. No need to apologize for the lengthy post; you've done a lot to it.
You mention that the sunroof is inop, and that you aren't sure about fixing it.
Unless you plan on sealing the opening with silicone or welding it shut or something, I'd fix it if I were you. By design, the roof doesn't seal tightly. Water will get in through the opening and has to get out somehow. There are 4 drains (2 front, 2 rear) that need to be kept open if you don't want water in the car. You pretty much need to be able to open the sunroof to check/clear the drain tubes.
It's pretty straightforward, there's a switch, motor, transmission and guide tracks. There are a number of writeups on how to disassemble, troubleshoot and reinstall it.
Welcome. It sounds like you are doing what it takes to make it a very nice car. No need to apologize for the lengthy post; you've done a lot to it.
You mention that the sunroof is inop, and that you aren't sure about fixing it.
Unless you plan on sealing the opening with silicone or welding it shut or something, I'd fix it if I were you. By design, the roof doesn't seal tightly. Water will get in through the opening and has to get out somehow. There are 4 drains (2 front, 2 rear) that need to be kept open if you don't want water in the car. You pretty much need to be able to open the sunroof to check/clear the drain tubes.
It's pretty straightforward, there's a switch, motor, transmission and guide tracks. There are a number of writeups on how to disassemble, troubleshoot and reinstall it.
Thanks, I believe that is much of the issue, the head liner is warped, to the point that the sunroof motor cover won't stay in place. There is power and I can hear motor power up and see transmission start to turn. I will search for the write-up and take a crack at it.
When I first got her she was smoking good after running for 10 or 15 minutes, was pretty sure I had an oil leak under the intake somewhere. After pulling the intake here is what was found! Oil fill neck was warped.
Roger will fix you up with an old gasket for the oil filler. He told me "The small O ring under the oil filler is
practically useless and the reason why the 87+ cars leak oil into the
valley. The earlier 16v paper gasket is thicker and solves the problem."
Roger will fix you up with an old gasket for the oil filler. He told me "The small O ring under the oil filler is
practically useless and the reason why the 87+ cars leak oil into the
valley. The earlier 16v paper gasket is thicker and solves the problem."
Thanks, have already received from Roger. Also got an aluminum oil filler neck so should have that issue solved. Also replacing knock sensors, as you can see the insulation is pretty much gone from soaking and baking in a nice oil marinade.
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Does it have the "Do It Yourself" manual transmission, or the superior "Fully Equipped by Porsche" Automatic Transmission? George Layton March 2014
928 Owners are ".....a secret sect of quietly assured Porsche pragmatists who in near anonymity appreciate the prodigious, easy going prowess of the 928."
09-21-2014, 09:50 PM
New 87 S4 Owner - Introduction and Refurbish
If you look at its description in the '87 Service Info booklet, they also have it running 'over' the radiator hose. Perhaps that was just for illustrative purposes:
George Layton March 2014