Rick K

You've got a PM - sounds like your passing, but if you need me to look at it for you, happy to.

AGW911

Please PM me the info on this car. I will be coming south to look at some cars in April. Not sure this one will still be around, but I would be interested in looking at it if it is.

I get home in August/September. If I can find a good price on something that I can drive for a few months and then work on over the winter it might be worth it.

Rick K, if you are planning to look at this car and it isn't out of your way I wouldn't mind your opinion on it. Thanks.

Ed Hughes

I guess this is moot, but:

1- If it has made it 178k, I'm pretty sure the "premature valve guide issue", isn't an issue.

2- Why does anyone see the need to downshift to first gear while the car is moving? I don't, and never do. That is too hard on 1st.

floete

Thanks, Rick, I appreciate it. Maybe next time.

AGW911 -- check your PM!

Brett San Diego

I can't figure out why the owner thinks it needs a top end job when the oil consumption is less than 1 quart per 1000 miles. Valve noise is not related to valve guide wear and the possibility of needing a top end job (someone correct me if I'm wrong). Valve noise means valve adjustment needed, but I don't think top end. This could still be a really solid engine in my not so expert opinion.

Brett

Ed Hughes

Brett, I think you have it right.

floete

Well, crap. But let me ask this. Would a PPI definitively be able to tell what's needed, whether it's a valve adjjustment or a top end rebuild or is the answer likely to be fuzzy and ambiguous?

theiceman

i would just low ball him due to the rebuild and then adjust the valves

Ed Hughes

A PPI will answer many of your questions, if the guy doing the work knows what he's doing. If the asking price is $12K, at least the seller is starting out reasonable.

AGW911

Hey! Don't change your mind now, I just sent the guy an email. Just kidding. If you decide to go ahead with it I will back off. I am hoping Rick can have a look at it.

Brett San Diego

Yeah, the seller has apparently prepared himself for it by convincing the buyer that it needs a top end. The seller is either honest or ignorant. I don't know which. Of course there may be other things about the top end that he hasn't mentioned, yet.

Floete, oil consumption is one of the best indicators for when an engine needs a rebuild due to simple wear. Oil can be consumed by entering the cylinder from the top or bottom (worn valve guides or worn piston rings, respectively). And, of course, you need to be able to distinguish oil consumption through burning in the cylinders versus loss through leaking. Porsche's spec for consumption is 1 quart or less per 1000 miles.

Of course when shopping for a car one cannot readily ascertain oil consumption over 1000 miles, so questioning the owner about oil consumption can be extremely informative. If the owner is being truthful here, the consumption is within spec and would be considered normal. As I said, there may be other reasons that the owner thinks the car needs a top end job, but he did say the engine runs strong in the same breath that he said it needs a top end... I don't know what that means.

There are some nice points about this car. Some suspension freshening has been done. Clutch kit and at least one cam and rocker assemblies replaced just 8,000 miles ago. Regular oil changes at least with this owner. Lowered. 7 and 8 inch Fuchs.

I'm not saying anyone should buy this car, I just wanted to point out that some statements were inconsistent in the discussion (to the best of my knowledge).

Brett

floete

AGW911 -- Oh, right, I forgot about you!!! Ha, ha, just kidding. I'm happy to take a back seat on this one. But let's see if Rick can go have a look-see. Did you email him the fellow's name and number? I'll do so in a min.

Rick: You game? You got time?

Brett: More good info -- not just for this car but for any car. Thanks!

logan2z

My understanding is that the Porsche spec. is actually 1.5L per 1000km, which converts to approx. 1.5 quarts per 600 miles That always sounded way high to me, but I believe that's what Porsche said was considered 'normal' for these cars.

AGW911

Can anyone recommend a good shop for a PPI near Herndon, VA? If Rick's initial assessment is good, it might be worth looking at further. Still giving you first dibs on this one floete, since it was your find and this is your post (sorry for the hijack), just positioning myself for a close second!!

floete

I haven't heard back from Rick. Have you been in touch with him?

No hijack, no apologies: I had passed. Maybe you can take the front and I'll take the back?