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I was able to maintain my '87 Carrera 3.2, but I'd like to get a 986 and aside from the RMS/IMS, how difficult is it to get at that mid-mounted engine to replace plugs, for instance, and belts, and what other things would I need to get in there for?
Those are possible. Even with a lift and all the equipment the big issue is accessibility. The solution is a lot of tedious and sometimes expensive and time consuming dismantling. The result if you diy may be just frustration and expense. If you use the Indie ,it gets very expensive because of the labor time.
The obvious question is -what is a better alternative for the diy enthusiast mechanic.I'll leave that for others to offer suggestions. This Forum may be just a little biased :-).
I was able to maintain my '87 Carrera 3.2, but I'd like to get a 986 and aside from the RMS/IMS, how difficult is it to get at that mid-mounted engine to replace plugs, for instance, and belts, and what other things would I need to get in there for?
Plugs & the 1 belt are pretty easy & they last longer than what you are use to. Removing the trans is probably the hardest thing to do, 6-speed harder than the 5-speed.
You can access a lot through the cabin access fairly easily, and air filter/air oil seperator/oil cooler through the top access. Changing a water pump is easy also, remove cabin access to remove serpetine belt, and go from below to remove 6 water pump bolts and wollah!
I was able to maintain my '87 Carrera 3.2, but I'd like to get a 986 and aside from the RMS/IMS, how difficult is it to get at that mid-mounted engine to replace plugs, for instance, and belts, and what other things would I need to get in there for?
Did some maintenance/service work on my Boxster (and Cayman and Turbo). For oil/filter services I used a pair of Rhino Ramps and backed the car up on the ramps. The car being on an incline didn't appear to affect the draining of the oil. (An early oil change I raised the front of the car with two Porsche scissors jacks and didn't observe any more oil suddenly flowing out the sump drain.)
For brakes I would just use a scissors jack under the corner I wanted to work on.
The belt I replaced through the cabin engine compartment access panel.
If I had a garage and wanted to resume working on my Porsches I'd get a nice portable floor lift that would let me lift either car by its lift points or by its tires/wheels. This would make oil/filter services and other work a breeze reliatively speaking.
Notice that nobody mentioned easier cars to work on ? We work on different makes and I encourage avoidance of Porsche and Audi work because of access issues. Customers really balk at hours of labor charges to replace inaccessible parts. Reluctantly I concede that in general ,high volume cars are much easier. Maybe the smaller engine in the 718 is an improvement ? The 914 was lovely !
Some independent commentary here with photos of the worst Audi ! http://thegarage.jalopnik.com/what-e...-at-1793606977
Last edited by Schnell Gelb; 03-24-2017 at 05:36 PM.
Thanks, gentlemen, overall I would say that was sufficiently encouraging. My 911 taught me a great deal, I was able to handle anything but dropping the engine and tranny. I replaced the intake manifold spacers and gaskets and the top oil sensor and head temperature sensor, O2 sensor, etc. and adjust valves with the engine intact in the car. When it comes to needing to drop engine/tranny, I hopefully will have found the right guy to take it to. You all have eliminated my fear of that aspect of ownership. Sounds like I just need to make sure the RMS/IMS has been done properly from the get-go and the rest is the misery that goes with our turf of being "Mr. Guttwrench" in the backyard.
I have just replaced the IMS bearing and RMS on my 2004 Boxster S, purchased three months ago. I knew about the IMS issue before I purchased and so I had planned to have it replaced by a local specialist. However, having found and purchased the car my first problem was that I had underestimated how much the IMS issue would detract from my enjoyment of the car.
To cut to the chase I jacked the car up as far as I could and set to work. There is not much that cannot be undertaken on a DIY basis if you are careful, follow the instructions to the letter and have the time. Access is a problem in some areas, it took me three hours to gain access to the left bank chain tensioner for instance. But it can be done. Likewise removing the tiptronic transaxle is a pain (working through the starter aperture to disconnect and reconnect the torque converter) but doable with a hired transmission jack.
And SUCCESS! No valves hitting pistons, no oil leaks and no fault codes. Phew. And I am just so much happier to use all of the revs now I have a plain bearing instead of the hand grenade. But I accept that is a personable thing.
So bottom line almost anything is possible on a DIY basis if you have the time and tools. Have fun.
That is the kind of persistence and determination that motivates me and sets Rennlisters apart. If it can be done down under, then we can Waltz Matilda at the other end of the road system as well. Thanks, Mate! With guys like you out there I can deal with a 986. There is nothing quite like the feeling of knowing you have gotten it right and taking that exquisite power plant up to redline.
That is the kind of persistence and determination that motivates me and sets Rennlisters apart. If it can be done down under, then we can Waltz Matilda at the other end of the road system as well. Thanks, Mate! With guys like you out there I can deal with a 986. There is nothing quite like the feeling of knowing you have gotten it right and taking that exquisite power plant up to redline.
What else you gonna do during breakup season anyway?
I currently own a 911SC along with my 986S. Over the years I've owned a bunch of water and air cooled Porsches, none of them have ever visited a shop. Honestly I don't find the 986 to be any worse than any of them, just different. They all have their nuances, like having to remove the rear bumper and intercoolers to change the spark plugs on the 996TT. That job is cake on the 986. The absolute worst in my book was the 951, damn I hated working on those things.
I currently own a 911SC along with my 986S. Over the years I've owned a bunch of water and air cooled Porsches, none of them have ever visited a shop. Honestly I don't find the 986 to be any worse than any of them, just different. They all have their nuances, like having to remove the rear bumper and intercoolers to change the spark plugs on the 996TT. That job is cake on the 986. The absolute worst in my book was the 951, damn I hated working on those things.
That is encouraging to hear! Having torn down and put back together a few 944/951 P cars in my past the thought of wrenching on my incoming 986S seems doable
03-23-2017, 03:50 PM
Owner engine maintenance possible?
