928ntslow

(DOC...If damaged, spill gas, light match....LOL!!!)

I can see how overwhelming this all can be to a new comer. BUT, the folks here are correct. If you have the garage space, and are mechanically inclined (moreso than the Porsche techs at the dealerships that originally serviced these things ), you can do this job yourself for wayyyyyyyy less money and have an immediate appreciation for these cars that most never aquire. You will lose more if you dump the car rather than forking out a few extra bucks to fix it yourself. Believe it or not, this car was engineered for "dummy's" at the dealership to work on. Once you get into these cars, the mystery goes away quickly.

Find a workshop buddy and tear this ***** up! The car is too nice to let go of! There are enough folks on this board (as you can see) that will help you all the way through the process from start to finish.

Bill Ball

So, the web can be pulled and main bearings replaced with the engine in situ? Anyone actually done this?

docmirror

Sterling's prolly right, it's gonna be a big hassle. I've done it on other cars, the 928 isn't the best test case. It can be done, but an engine pull is the right way to go. I was thinking along the lines of investigating the damage with the motor in, and the idea just got away from me. When I've done it, getting the crank back up is quite a job. As for protecting the journals, I found wrapping them in simple scotch tape, with the tape sticky facing out, and long leader hanging out to work. I then get the crank up in position, then lower the front and take the tape off the front three journals. Then raise the front and lower the back slightly and remove the tape from the rear journals. Rubber bungees and a bolt in each end keeps the crank in one place while fitting things. The rod bolts get a cardboard condom while they are moved over the big end journal. The saddle and webs would have to be cleaned and sealer applied before reassembly, lots more hassle.

Can it be done? yes. Should it be done? No. Has anyone done it? Hmmmmmmm

jcb928

I think most people are not considering Dave has limited mechanical ability and is tight for money. If you can raise as much money as you can, Sell stuff, credit card advance? borrow some from a friend/relative. Then you can buy a cheap car to drive around and park the 928 until you have the money to fix it.

The other option is to blow it out and sell it as-is. My guess is you would get between $3500 & $4500. Its a big loss and it hurts...... Trust me I know how it feels.

Jim bailey - 928 International

The engine should come out either way you decide to fix it . Doing the crankectomy from below would only have appeal to someone who likes building ships in a bottle. Especially when you consider you would have the front off the engine to access the timing belt. There is a good possibility that with a replacement flexplate installed and the crank pulled back it would be a running driving car again.......for a short time. Does pose a moral dilemma much like if you discover that you have a bogus $100 bill in your wallet ........ More than one TBF car has been traded in to a dealer.

Gretch

I have to agree with a previous poster.....it still sounds like you have a TBF condition. So until you confirm that, all the talk in the world about how you can replace main bearings is just so much noise.....If the block is toast you need a new one.....period.

Tell ya one thing......your story FOREVER swears me off of EVER buying an AT shark that has had the tranny out, or for that matter even one where I cannot get a guarantee-as-a-condition-of-sale, that the tranny has NEVER been out, maybe torque tube too.

There are just too many shops working on these cars, treating them like they are Chevys.......

They aren't.........

Hope things work out for you..........

dave1200

Exactly....... If anyone would want to give me $4500 for it...shoot me a pm...The engine does run and idle. So a temporay fix may be an option..But I cannt afford to have it torn down just to see what happend. The mechanic that has the car knows this car...and is certain what happened.. I have found 4 complete engines for $2000 to $2500....which has been recommended by several 928 people I have talked to.

I cannot raise any money to fix it,nor can I do it myslef and wait for it to come together. My busness demands I have a decent car, not a beater...

Im still weighing my options, but its easier for me to loose $7000 I already spent, then come up with another $3000 to $5000 to fix it PLUS the downtime.

Im pretty done with it..my options are slim and expensive either way. I dont have time to wait it out.

Send me some PM's with offers... Il glady let you talk to the mechanic that has it ....

IcemanG17

Dave
Sorry to hear about your loss. I would agree with the 3500-4500 estimate for your car, assuming the rest of the car is in good shape and the mileage is decent. I bought my car with a timing belt failure in that price range and had everything rebuilt after....sure it cost me quite a bit, but I had Devek do the work, so I know it was done right. It appears your car is an example of "you don't know how cheap a good mechanic is until you've had a bad one."

I still like the option of parking it until you can get the funds to repair it, which will be much cheaper with the help of a fellow rennlister, but if your life demands don't allow it then your options are limited.

Did you have a PPI? Would a PPI even catch that problem?

blau928

Too bad you're not on the west coast..... It could be an interesting project...

Bill Ball

I'm glad to see the clarifications on the (lack of) feasibility of doing the main bearing in situ with this kind of configuration. No problem in a 40 flathead Ford I did in high school, but, obviously, this is a far different animal. Too bad there isn't some way to "refresh" the thrust bearing periodically.

Big Dave

You're going to have to come up with some cash to get a new ride anyway...and probably more quickly than you'll be able to sell the 928. Once you have a new car, you may find that you are willing to let the 928 sit while you consider wiser financial options than selling it for a fraction of the price you paid for it.

Once I had my replacement car, the immediate stress on me was alleviated and I saw things differently. I spend an hour a week or so working on my car. Fellow Rennlisters have helped out with advice and spare parts here and there, trying to keep my costs down. I'm even enlisting the assistance of a Rennlister to rebuild a set of heads for a fraction of what used heads cost.

My point is this....get your transportation needs sorted out a.s.a.p. Don't sell the 928 for a "fire sale" price. Take a couple weeks and think about it. You may get better offers for the car as is if you are patient. You may also find the willingness and determination to tackle this project.

My 928 is the first car I've ever even changed the oil on. Now I'm pulling an engine out and fixing it. It's a learn-as-you-go process that's possible because of Rennlist.

Good luck to you!

WER

Dave, I just found the problem, read your note on the 911 board and realized that your 928 has a case of hurt feelins.... If you have been reading this forum you must have seen that these cars are used to being revered , the idea of being a compromise is foreign to them. Perhaps if you go to it and promise to be faithful and not lust after BMW's and 911's then it may decide to forgive you and give you a chance for a cheap fix.

1987 928 S4 Cassisrot Metalic

Seriously, good luck and keep the faith, once it's repaired you will be happy that you have made the move up to the cream of the Porsche crop.

blau928

In Zee Old Kountry Ve hang Zees People For Treason... Leavink your shark in the cold... No wonder she has asked for a divorce... She will now find a new husband that will treat her with great care, respect, and not leave her no matter what the cost.....!

Now, go to her and apologize QUICK before she is gone, and you can't get her back...! Mine forgave me for all the affairs I had with other cars... But I have treated mine very well, and always think of her...! Even when she was parked for a long time... Now she is driven a lot, and loves it..

dave1200

Actually made me laugh!!! Funny...very funny...

dave1200

Are you kidding me????? I need to know how you know this.

I tried to send you a pm....but it wont let me. I need to talk to you.

PLEASE call me 864-384-1577.

Dave