fastdiablo

Hi folks, I'm looking at a couple 3.2 G50 cars, and this being my first air cooled car, I wanted to ask the experts have a look at some info, metrics and undercarriage photos of what I think is a good car. Anyone see anything concerning or unusual? Car is a G50 with 70K miles, very well documented and serviced perfectly based on receipts. Beautiful example, CA car, paint in very good condition with a few road nicks on the mirrors. It's priced very high, so I really want some help vetting the car. Leak down and compression numbers here, would love to hear thoughts.

Compression results - Compression Cylinder 1)180 2)180 3)185 4)185 5)180 6)185
Leak Down Cylinder 1)7% 2)5% 3)7% 4)4% 5)4% 6)4%

Clutch is original.

These are paint meter readings, paint "believed to be original":
front right Fender - 5.0
front left fender - 8.5
Hood - 7.5
Roof - 9.5
sunroof - 7.5
Rear quarter - 8.5
engine cover - 5.5

Thoughts on those readings? has this car likely been painted?
Underside..anything look leaky or problematic?
Thanks guys!

fastdiablo

anyone? Bueller?

Amber Gramps

Wow. Wish I had started with a car that nice. Oil return tubes have been replaced. Most of what you see is cosmoline....very little is oil. Looks good.

Spyerx

Agreed. Valve covers clean new nuts so serviced recently.
I can't see evidence of seepage there.
On paint dunno. I've never metered any car I've bought. If I can't find evidence and it looks good I am happy. I just assume all these cars have had some paint at some time.

theiceman

yeah most of that is cosmoline .. you do have a few leaks though . it looks like you are either leaking at a rocker shaft or the chainbox/ cam housing interface. This will require some work as high rpms will cause it to run down . Overall not a bad car at all though.

fastdiablo

noob question: i see new valve cover nuts (thanks spyerx), but is there a way to know if head studs have been replaced in absence of a receipt?
the lack of new head studs or a broken head stud on a 70k mile car (likely) can be an expensive proposition based on what a mechanic told me -north of 5K. thoughts?

Amber Gramps

You've got compression and leak down numbers. Spend a few more bucks and ask the seller to confirm that all the head studs are there. I'm no expert, but I don't recall it being common....now of course Clive is gonna chime in and remind us about his....

sugarwood

I've never seen a photo of an engine case that looks coated in that Cosmoline stuff.
Did only certain years get that treatment?

oldskewel

I agree on the oil leaks - that is a lot more black than I think should be there.

My '85 with 130k miles has never had any head stud or valve guide problems, so I think you may be over-concerned about that. And BTW, the 915 (I still call it a 911, though) is great too.

I'll say the nicely cleaned valve covers are a good sign. Of course it would have been easy to put them back without cleaning, but whoever did the job took the time to clean it up.

Here's a simple old trick on checking for body work to go along with your paint thickness readings - feel the painted inside rim of the wheel wells. From the factory, those will have little ripples in them that you can easily feel. If 3 of them feel like that (meaning they are original and not worked on) and the 4th one is smooth, you'll know that fender had body work there and was repainted, since when they do the body work they make it smooth. Since these are likely areas for body work if anything happens, a 4/4 OK check on this can go a long way toward assuring no work was done. And the test takes about 15 seconds.

fastdiablo

Can you guys give me some language to use or specifics around the oil leaks you are seeing? Is there a specific photo or part I should be pointing out to the seller? I know these are to leak oil, but is this a possible engine-out reseal situation? how bad do these leaks look?

Amber Gramps

Your "chain boxes" seen here: http://msroadrace.com/Porsche-911-93...Porsche&page=3 could be your problem. Not the seal on the cover, but the seal between the box and the case. If that's the source of the oil, then ya, you are gonna need to dig in deep and pull out the engine.

The other big leak is just an oil line that is rather straightforward.

The tranny oil leak doesn't concern me. Sure it'd be nice if it wasn't like that, but man, I'm not turning down this car over that. I still like this car.

earlyapex

You really need to have this car inspected by a trusted mechanic who will answer all of these questions for you.

fastdiablo

yep.

cajerseyboy

Wow, good for you sir. I hope this purchase works out. This would be a nice companion to the GTS. GLWP!

Ed Hughes

I don't think internet PPI's are they are cracked up to be....