Peter Zimmermann

I think that they're going to do a valve adjustment because the 1K mile service following repairs was never performed. Of course, if the plugs were removed incorrectly for the leakdown test, and carbon from the #6 plug is indeed on the valve seat, it can also skew the valve adjustment. The car must be driven a few miles, to be sure that there is no debris on the valve/seat, before another leakdown test, or valve adjustment, is done. Then correct procedure can be used (put the engine on TDC for the cylinder to be adjusted, then remove that spark plug...), the valve adjustment can be performed, and another leakdown on #6 can also easily be done.

OhioMark

2.7 racer:

There never was a compression test, only a leak down etc.....


Mark

2.7RACER

Mark,
My point exactly. When the LD test was performed what did the mechanic report as the source of the excessive leak?
A leak down test is a diagnostic test to determine the source of a low compression, valves, rings, etc.
With out the source of the low test you only got half of what you paid for.

Mike Murphy

I agree on this. There are 2 steps to the leakdown. First, get the numbers. Second, find out where any leaks are actually coming from.

I advised Mark to skip the compression test and go with the leakdown so he wouldn't have to pay for both. Now it's up to the mechanic to provide some good info as to where the leak actually is.

I 2nd Peter's comment about carbon buildup - I think that situation is highly possible.

OhioMark

The mechanic felt that the intake valve was the issue and not the rings on
the # 6 cylinder.

Mark

P.S.: I'm waiting on the current owner to decide on a valve adjustment and/ or
repair the #6 valve if that is possible without pulling the motor. Before they
do any of the above, they should do another leak down test, but it's in his
corner etc............

Mike Murphy

Way to be smart about this. Some guys just fall in love with these things and buy them after 10 minutes of seeing it. Again, good luck - I hope it works out. The seller knows that you want the car, so if he's interested to get rid of it, then he'll work with you on this...

OhioMark

Michael:

I'll know today what his plans are regarding the valve adjustment &/or
any further work on the engine. With that said, please keep me in mind
if you spot a nice (78 - 85) 911 available. Thanks again!

Mark

OhioMark

I talked to the service manager today who said the valve adjustment, plus
2nd leakdown test was performed without much of a change in the #6 cyl.
He also mentioned that the mechanic felt the rings still weren't settled due
to the previously needed valve adjustment, and would be fine in the future?
I'm more than a little skeptical per this opinion and would wonder if a motor
with +3000 miles on it, could still NOT have rings that weren't settled?
Any opinions?

Mark

Mike Murphy

I would ask Steve W. to weigh in on this one. Doesn't sound good.

old man neri

Why would the rings not be settled on only one cylinder? One would thing the problem would affect all cylinders.

Peter Zimmermann

Mark: I think that you should give this car a pass. Rings in a properly assembled engine seat in hours, not 3K miles. Unseated rings would also, almost always, be a source of unusually large amounts of exhaust smoke. In addition, a lack of a valve adjustment has absolutely nothing to do with rings seating, or not seating. The leak down number suggests that something is wrong with the engine, and it's not going to fix itself.

OhioMark

Thanks Pete! I'll take your advise and run with it. I've already
spoken with the owner of an 83' Targa for sale just in
case the 83' Cab didn't work out. As I mentioned to Michael,
I'll have no problem moving on. Thanks to everyone for your help!

Mark

g-50cab

What does the Barber say?








NEXT!


Move on and find another - I'd also question the mechanic - 1000 miles and the rings not seated on one cylinder???????? I want what he's smoking.

OhioMark

Michael:

The car is now listed on ebay without the leakdown #'s , but to be
fair, he does list several of the issue's discovered during the P.P.I..
As of today, it's at $10,100.00 with 4 days to go. Good luck to those
who bid because you'll need it.

Thanks!

Mark

Mike Murphy

I feel bad for this guy. It's a perfect example of an owner not knowing enough about the car that he or she is driving. When I asked him why the transmission was rebuilt, he said "because it didn't work."

Not a big deal if you don't know the details of a run-of-the-mill car, but this is a classic 911. The owner has spent quite a bit of money on this car and will probably still lose money on the sale, and that's too bad because he was a pretty decent and honest guy.