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I feel as though I've completed the requisite rights of passage for a rookie owner. I can drink beer over discussions of the timing belt/water pump job (including strong opinions of tensioner philosophy). I can nod my head knowingly over tales of Volvo mounts and filth. I know about all the little monsters that live under the intake and in Roger's spreadsheet. Finally, I've had the pleasure of gently loosening axle nuts and despoiling the environment with darkened mineral spirits.
If something electrical is required, I did fix my cruise control.
No credit given for checking tire pressures, fluid levels or opening the window a bit when passing wind for your rev limiter.
Any listed job qualifies for the level.
Level one: Reading and understanding the entire owners manual, tuneup and change of all fluids, brake pad/rotor refresh, radiator removal/hose replacement/belt replacement, seat removal for terminal carpet cleaning.
Level three: Torque tube refresh, top end refresh, oil pan gasket/motor mount replacement, any job that involves removal of the pod, standard repaint.
Level four: Disassembly/assembly for glass out paint, engine rebuild, transmission rebuild, complete re-wiring projects...
If you can do any of level four items, you have passed into the inner circle of 928 wizards.
I propose a sub-level 1 level... maybe call it introduction to self mutilation or something like that. In that level we would learn how to deal with the many fruitloops we meet when hunting for and buying these cars, raccoon exorcisms, mold abatement, briar patch extractions, etc.
Being showered from the coolant drain plugs on the block
CE panel refresh
Twin disc clutch adjustments
Replacing shifter coupler bushings
Broken dome lights
HVAC head repair
Hacked up radio wiring
Clogged windshield washers from rusted metal inserts on the filler pipe
Leaking rear hatch
Do I get extra points for my prior owner installing a rounded off 19mm upper engine mount bolt with a gallon of red loctite?
Extra points if the threads in the bracket are intact. By the time the impact-wrench & hammer mechanic cross-threads the steel bolt into the bracket, adding a bottle threadlocker might be the only available instant remedy. Short of putting the correct insert in there of course. The thickness of the coating on the bolt is a telltale; It's likely the aluminum was moved out of the way to make room for the sealant...
Extra points if the threads in the bracket are intact. By the time the impact-wrench & hammer mechanic cross-threads the steel bolt into the bracket, adding a bottle threadlocker might be the only available instant remedy. Short of putting the correct insert in there of course. The thickness of the coating on the bolt is a telltale; It's likely the aluminum was moved out of the way to make room for the sealant...
Now why did you have to go and say that Doc, I was all happy for just being able to finally remove it.
Nice. But - pod job isn't that much once you've had it out. No grease, nice place to sit, well lit, couple screws, easy-peasy. Maybe level 2?
No kidding. Do it a couple times and it's pretty simple. I can get it out in less than 15 min, back in in less than 20.
Some of the stuff inside the pod can be a level or so up. But it depends on what one considers "difficult".
Originally Posted by GT6ixer
Putting the air filter in the right way up.
Well, what really separates the "men from the boys" is being able to spot an upside down air filter from a dark, fuzzy, long range pic under the hood (it's easy as anything once you know what to look for. I "can't not" see it anymore).
SoCal Tom:
What do you mean by "rite of passage"?
A job that every owner will need to do sooner or later?
A job we all dread, yet know is likely to come?
A job peculiar to a 928 that other car owners wouldn't understand? (or understand it's significance?)
10-16-2017, 07:10 AM
