Everett43

Hi Gang,

As my resident experts I have a question for you! A 1988 911 that I am seriously considering buying had the following leak down compression test results:

Cyl #1: 2%, Cyl #2: 2.25%, Cyl #3: 1.5%, Cyl # 4: 2%, Cyl #5: 1.25%, Cyl #6: 1%

Am I correct that these are decent results?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Everett

logan2z

Just curious, how many miles are on that engine? Those are very good leakdown results. The experts here will correct me if I'm wrong, but those results are almost too good for a 21 year old engine with any appreciable miles on it Who did the leakdown test?

whalebird

Those are good numbers no doubt. Keep in mind that a leakdown is a diognostic tool as much as it is a measure of condition. While the leakdown is being done, one can take a mechanics stethascope(?) and listen as to where the leakage is occuring. The intake (air filter removed), exhaust (easy on a 911 due to the short exhaust path) would indicate valve leakage, and through the dipstick tube to listen for rings leaking into the crankcase. Also there are different opinions on whether one should do the test with the engine hot, or cold. Either way its always nice to see consistant leakage across the board. One cylinder that leaks considerably more than others is a red-flag, but those numbers look good. Combined with a compression test, your leakdown can be quit accurate as to the condition of the engine. Looks pretty good to me.

Everett43

logan2z and whalebird.......Thank you very much for the feedback. I am checking to find out when the
leak down test was done [date and mileage] and by whom. The car currently has 106k miles on it.
I really appreciate the knowledge you are sharing. As you can tell I'm not very well informed about
these cars and before I "sign on the dotted line" for anything I want to make sure I've done my homework.
This car will be a daily driver for me [only about 3-4k/year] and I'd like to get a few years
without any big expense items biting me [no surprise there eh? :-)].

Again, thank you very much. I will post the results of the date/mileage question when I get it.

Everett

logan2z

OK, so it sounds like this leakdown test wasn't done during a PPI that you scheduled at a shop of your choice. If you're seriously considering purchasing this car, then I'd strongly suggest that you schedule an independent PPI. Have the shop thoroughly inspect the car and do the compression and leakdown tests again.

whalebird

+1 logan2z. Get a good PPI. Also, you will want to put more than a few thousand miles on it a year. These cars must be driven and maintained. If they sit idle or are driven a few miles without proper temp being reached and maintained will not do it any good. A good high milage car is usually a safer bet than a low milage one. They have to be driven. Your choice of this car has, at least in my mind, about the right miles. A low milage example probably wouldn't have as good a leakdown figures.
Good luck and ask a lot of questions here at Rennlist. Post pictures or a link to this car when you can. We love pictures.

911Dave

Those leakdown numbers are better than you should expect from even a factory-fresh car. I would not trust them.

logan2z

My thoughts exactly.

theiceman

holly crap that car would have some serious compresion .. WAY to good to be true ..

Everett43

Hi again everyone,

I did get an electronic copy of the receipt showing the test results.
The test was run on Sept. 30, 2008 when the car had 103,467 miles on it.
It has 106,xxx now. The work, along with a valve adjustment, was performed
by "Sports Car Shop, Inc," in Eugene, Oregon. The mechanic there, a former
Formula One mechanic, said they were the best results he'd ever seen!

dshepp806

Has the engine (or top side) been rebuilt?


Better heed the PPI advice (PPI'd by a P-specialist...ONLY).

Best of luck!

Everett43

Here is a link to the web pages advertising the car.

http://www.classiccarsltd.com/module...ail.php?id=475

It is the most comprehensive listing for a car that I've ever seen!

Any comments about the ad and its contents will be appreciated! I'm sure most of you will
"see" things in or about this car that a novice like me would not pick up on.

Everett

David911

The rear spoiler, though perhaps a "factory part", looks to me like a turbo tail, rather than the carrera tail that is stock. I am also not sure that the matching front spoiler is installed.

The sound system looks pretty killer.

911Dave

The tail is most definitely not a Carrera tail, and the front lip spoiler is not fitted. The car certainly didn't come this way originally.

It is well documented, however. As for the stereo, I can't believe someone would be so foolish as to put an expensive McIntosh system in a car with such an abysmal acoustic environment.

logan2z

That would seem to contradict this in the seller's description:

"The Porsche has remained in California since its delivery"

The odometer reading in the photos indicates that the car has 101,472 miles, but you mentioned that the car has 106K miles on it. Are these photos from the previous sale of the car?

I'm not trying to be a jacka$$, just pointing out a few discrepancies in the description. The car does look to be in terrific condition and is a great color combo.