When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hi all, this is my first post, so be patient . I'm taking delivery of a 1987 S4 with 150k km later this year. It hasn't seen much use in the last 20 years. The PO passed away recently and only added a few thousand KM in his 20-year ownership. The seller (his daughter) says he was fastidious with maintenance and upkeep, but she doesn't have any paperwork to back this up. She did tell me that the prior owner did the timing belt before her dad bought it, but that was 20+ years ago... She says the following work was done during her dad's ownership: "New throttle cable, new front spoiler, battery replacement with trickle charger, fuel pump and fuel lines, were all done in 2022.
I was able to find out the previous owner had recently done a timing belt before my dad purchased the vehicle and he never did one after that."
The seller says she drives the car around the block from time to time, so it has not been sitting for years on end but hasn't seen much use.
When I saw it she started it up for me and it ran smoothly, but I could smell the gas was really old and it didn't rev up nicely. I did not drive it.
I've read quite alotaboutchangingthetimingbelt and water pump. So, given the amount of time since it was done, I plan to do the belt and water pump using this kit when I get it (is this all I'd need for the job?). I'm pretty handy with a wrench, but this is my first 928. Based on what I've read, I will change to the porken tensioner. Is there any good reason not to do this? Is there anything else to consider when fitting porken tensioner?
If I remove the air pump, is there anything to consider there? Anything else required for this job?
I know there are detailed how-tos on the timing belt job, so I'll find those and follow them carefully when I get the car.
When I get it, I'll have a look at the cam gears for wear, but hoping they'll be ok
Here's the car from when I went to see it Dusty...
Hi all, this is my first post, so be patient . I'm taking delivery of a 1987 S4 with 150k km later this year. It hasn't seen much use in the last 20 years. The PO passed away recently and only added a few thousand KM in his 20-year ownership. The seller (his daughter) says he was fastidious with maintenance and upkeep, but she doesn't have any paperwork to back this up. She did tell me that the prior owner did the timing belt before her dad bought it, but that was 20+ years ago... She says the following work was done during her dad's ownership: "New throttle cable, new front spoiler, battery replacement with trickle charger, fuel pump and fuel lines, were all done in 2022.
I was able to find out the previous owner had recently done a timing belt before my dad purchased the vehicle and he never did one after that."
The seller says she drives the car around the block from time to time, so it has not been sitting for years on end but hasn't seen much use.
When I saw it she started it up for me and it ran smoothly, but I could smell the gas was really old and it didn't rev up nicely. I did not drive it.
I've read quite alotaboutchangingthetimingbelt and water pump. So, given the amount of time since it was done, I plan to do the belt and water pump using this kit when I get it (is this all I'd need for the job?). I'm pretty handy with a wrench, but this is my first 928. Based on what I've read, I will change to the porken tensioner. Is there any good reason not to do this? Is there anything else to consider when fitting porken tensioner?
If I remove the air pump, is there anything to consider there? Anything else required for this job?
I know there are detailed how-tos on the timing belt job, so I'll find those and follow them carefully when I get the car.
When I get it, I'll have a look at the cam gears for wear, but hoping they'll be ok
Here's the car from when I went to see it Dusty...
New owner of 86.5 60k miles, purchased from original owner, 15 years 15k miles on the TB/WP. New Porken,WP/thermo, coolant, hoses/belts and all associated parts changed, having all fluids changed,flushed,new steering rack, tires, alignment, PS hoses/reservoir, all fuel lines, torque tube front rear check and anything my mechanic thinks should be done will be done.
Forgot to add, Beru ignition wires, new caps, rotors and plugs.
Roger is fantastic at 928srus!
After reading Rennlist the last few months it will probably blow up and need a new motor, very excited, should be driving her a couple of weeks.
Thats a nice looking car you should know that engine needs an intake refresh,
I hope you do this at the same time everything else gets done so you dont have to take things apart two times.
NOTE budget 8K for the intake refresh
Roger has a solid list of all things necessary to purchase including a freshly powder coated intake and cam covers,replace the oil block off pins as well in the cam journals.
Good luck you will have a nice car when your finished.
Hi all, this is my first post, so be patient . I'm taking delivery of a 1987 S4 with 150k km later this year. It hasn't seen much use in the last 20 years. The PO passed away recently and only added a few thousand KM in his 20-year ownership. The seller (his daughter) says he was fastidious with maintenance and upkeep, but she doesn't have any paperwork to back this up. She did tell me that the prior owner did the timing belt before her dad bought it, but that was 20+ years ago... She says the following work was done during her dad's ownership: "New throttle cable, new front spoiler, battery replacement with trickle charger, fuel pump and fuel lines, were all done in 2022.
I was able to find out the previous owner had recently done a timing belt before my dad purchased the vehicle and he never did one after that."
The seller says she drives the car around the block from time to time, so it has not been sitting for years on end but hasn't seen much use.
When I saw it she started it up for me and it ran smoothly, but I could smell the gas was really old and it didn't rev up nicely. I did not drive it.
I've read quite alotaboutchangingthetimingbelt and water pump. So, given the amount of time since it was done, I plan to do the belt and water pump using this kit when I get it (is this all I'd need for the job?). I'm pretty handy with a wrench, but this is my first 928. Based on what I've read, I will change to the porken tensioner. Is there any good reason not to do this? Is there anything else to consider when fitting porken tensioner?
If I remove the air pump, is there anything to consider there? Anything else required for this job?
I know there are detailed how-tos on the timing belt job, so I'll find those and follow them carefully when I get the car.
When I get it, I'll have a look at the cam gears for wear, but hoping they'll be ok
Here's the car from when I went to see it Dusty...
a few things I’ve learnt. Even a well maintained Porsche that’s been used just around the block will probably have cracked brittle fuel hoses especially by the tank. Carbon build up from quick drives will probably cause issues. Change fuel pump, flush lines as bare minimum before starting/running as if it’s old unleaded the ethanol will have eaten orings gaskets. Just done a 77 911 and 2 928s and the ethanol old fuel destroyed whole file lines.
I would ultrasonic your injectors, I’ve done this with success.
remove all fuses, ensure contacts all clean, spray contact cleaner on fuse box tray. This will help limit heat build up/fires due to high resistance corrosion buildup, easy task.
vacuum leaks will be your nemesis so buy a cheap smoke machine from Amazon, apply to vacuum system and fix any leaky small hoses, this will ensure smooth running and gear changes(if auto)
also smell for fuel in vacuum lines you remove that are connected to fuel rail area near back, this will tell you if any diaphragms have failed inside actuators.
timing belt, well I won’t be the first I’m sure to say change it.
enjoy the experience, you will have ups and downs but will learn a lot. If you have LOTS of time!
.....
NOTE budget 8K for the intake refresh
Roger has a solid list of all things necessary to purchase including a freshly powder coated intake and cam covers,replace the oil block off pins as well in the cam journals.
Good luck you will have a nice car when your finished.
Whoa Stan! That's a number that is way out of whack from my very recent experience. I would not buy new powder coated cam overs or any of that stuff either. Clean up what you have, they look fine. I'd budget about $2K for the top end refresh doing the job yourself.
Ed I suggest you buy a S4 that’s already had the intake refresh done, my estimate will be close to that if your paying me to do the intake refresh
Note some unseen costs,
Maf rebuild and computer rebuild costs are part of this MAF 450.00 computer 600.00.
NOTE the false economy or installing original PCd intake and cam covers, when you know that the original PC will peel off.
Ed for the amount of work involved you better be putting on fresh parts.
Chasing the holes on the new PC ed parts, swapping in 4 new throttle shaft bearings rebuilding the throttle plates and setting the flappy about 3 to 4 hours of work.
Have you seen the good set of Beru ignition wires is about 450.00 new fuel lines depending on where you get them 800.00 or less
I’m not gonna go into every detail for this work but that’s a fair price once all the other mission creep issues are also dealt with.
Also know that cars that need an intake refresh usually require a set of MM and trans mounts and OPG new shocks new suspension bushings a rack tie rods AC refresh a new master cylinder TT bearings, plus all the fluids coolant is about 50.00 for 2 gallons plus 2 gal Di H2O, 10 QTS of oil 100.00 PS fluid 10.00
Note their is no such thing as a cheap Porsche
I suggest that all of these issues get fixed before the car is put back into service to get the maximum enjoyment of your investment
Really? Wow. What would be a reasonable price to ask assuming it works 100%?
was planning on getting the Blaupunkt Bremen at some stage. Pricy, but really cool and looks period correct
I’m exaggerating slightly, but original is desirable. Just looked on eBay in U.K. and working Blaupunkt Torontos are up for around $300, some asking double that! Not sure which model your’s is - can’t see a model name in the photo but it will be that kind of price so could pay for a good chunk of a new Bremen!
Congrats! That is a good looking car that looks to be in pretty good condition.
Sounds like you're going to do some of the work yourself. If so, do yourself a favor and check out Dwayne's Garage. He's got write-ups for an '87 Top end refresh and timing belt/water pump. Virtually all of his write-ups are on either an '87 or an '88.
Frankly, "write-up" doesn't come close to doing the content justice. Dwayne's meticulous attention to detail and fantastic photos are nothing more than breath-taking and just the kind of documentation a 928 first-timer needs. He lists out the tools and the parts and warns of potential pitfalls. Really good stuff.
Ed I suggest you buy a S4 that’s already had the intake refresh done, my estimate will be close to that if your paying me to do the intake refresh
Note some unseen costs,
Maf rebuild and computer rebuild costs are part of this MAF 450.00 computer 600.00.
NOTE the false economy or installing original PCd intake and cam covers, when you know that the original PC will peel off.
Ed for the amount of work involved you better be putting on fresh parts.
Chasing the holes on the new PC ed parts, swapping in 4 new throttle shaft bearings rebuilding the throttle plates and setting the flappy about 3 to 4 hours of work.
Have you seen the good set of Beru ignition wires is about 450.00 new fuel lines depending on where you get them 800.00 or less
I’m not gonna go into every detail for this work but that’s a fair price once all the other mission creep issues are also dealt with.
Also know that cars that need an intake refresh usually require a set of MM and trans mounts and OPG new shocks new suspension bushings a rack tie rods AC refresh a new master cylinder TT bearings, plus all the fluids coolant is about 50.00 for 2 gallons plus 2 gal Di H2O, 10 QTS of oil 100.00 PS fluid 10.00
Note their is no such thing as a cheap Porsche
I suggest that all of these issues get fixed before the car is put back into service to get the maximum enjoyment of your investment
Stan, I am not saying your number is unreasonable if I pay you to do the work., but $8K is very high if I do it myself. We are only talking about top end refresh here too, not all of the things you've added in. Yes, once you add all that extra stuff in, then the costs go way up. But you certainly do not need to do all of these items before driving and enjoying the car. Much of these jobs can be done over time, spreading out the costs to a very managable level. My $.02 anyway.
Congrats! That is a good looking car that looks to be in pretty good condition.
Sounds like you're going to do some of the work yourself. If so, do yourself a favor and check out Dwayne's Garage. He's got write-ups for an '87 Top end refresh and timing belt/water pump. Virtually all of his write-ups are on either an '87 or an '88.
Frankly, "write-up" doesn't come close to doing the content justice. Dwayne's meticulous attention to detail and fantastic photos are nothing more than breath-taking and just the kind of documentation a 928 first-timer needs. He lists out the tools and the parts and warns of potential pitfalls. Really good stuff.
Good luck and have fun!
Thanks and thanks for the tip. I had a look at the intake refresh page and I see what you mean. What a valuable resource! Having all the part numbers is amazing. I'll definitely do this at some point, but not right away.
Yeah the car looks in good condition to me too. The paint is excellent for its age and the interior looks good too. Pity about the leather on the dash pulling away from the vent though.
Forgive my naivety, but what is MM/OPG? I noticed it here when I was looking for info on replacing suspension/steering bushings. I figured they'd probably need doing too.
MM + OPG is Motor Mounts and Oil Pan Gaskets, also add in Trans mounts.
Usually you also do the shocks as you have to take the front end apart for the MM and OPG,
same for the front shocks
NOTE on a S4 if the LH computer has not been rebuilt then proactively it should,
as its on its last legs till it fails.
Ed FWIW most of the people I work for soon realize how effective it is to fix everything at the same time.
While having a 928 specialist perform the operations , this reduces work hours and rework or job task failures.
This is why I recommend this approach, and its also the same advice I give to the DIY guys.
Fix everything at the same time.
Is this more expensive ?
At first it might seem so,
but in the long run its actually a less expensive option with a bigger payoff.
As we are aging ( the 928) we are running out of quality replacement parts.
This means replacements that were increasing in price incrementally may see double increases,
as new runs of parts or even aftermarket parts are made to fill the original spares resources.
NOTE in most cases, Its usually cost effective to fix everything and once completed the machine will perform better than it ever could,
and will be a reliable asset that you can count on .
Doing piecemeal parts /work only prolongs the time that the asset cant be fully utilized for is maximum enjoyment and reliability,
and extends the time frame of the cost increase potentials that the owner will have to bear.
These are my thoughts on how to fix this machine for maximum benefits to the owner.
Once the 928 has been gone through it becomes a pretty reliable piece of equipment,
that can be taken pretty much anyplace you desire to travel.
04-10-2023, 03:12 PM
New owner questions
. I'm taking delivery of a 1987 S4 with 150k km later this year. It hasn't seen much use in the last 20 years. The PO passed away recently and only added a few thousand KM in his 20-year ownership. The seller (his daughter) says he was fastidious with maintenance and upkeep, but she doesn't have any paperwork to back this up. She did tell me that the prior owner did the timing belt before her dad bought it, but that was 20+ years ago... She says the following work was done during her dad's ownership:
