Tips for making your 928 last as long as you do

I’ve compiled a short list of things that both average 928 owners and terminally **** owners might do to help make their 928s last forever (short of not driving it and keeping it in a vault). Some of these will be controversial…but that’s just me. Do you have other tips to add?

BEGINNING LIST:

1. Perform regular oil changes (3K miles [?] or 1 year, whichever comes first)
2. Use Techron or other fuel cleaner in gas tank ever so often
3. Check and service T-Belt regularly (along with WP/rollers, etc.)
4. Regularly make rust checks
5. Good tires/good alignment
6. Wait until the engine properly warms before driving aggressively
7. Periodically check your lug nut torque, especially if you have installed aftermarket wheels
8. Always torque your lug nuts to 95 Ft/Lbs using a torque wrench. No calibrated elbows!
9. Always use a torque wrench on all bolts. Don’t overtighten
10. Replace all old hoses and rubber parts
11. Always carry extra fuses and relays
12. Controversial: Don’t waste your time (or jeopardize your MAF) with K&N air filters
13. Always let your car “settle” for 100 miles before alignment if it’s been jacked off the ground
14. Make sure that your rev-limiter is working
15. Make sure that your t-belt warning light is working properly
16. Re-torque your headstuds at 75K miles at least
17. Don’t reset your odometer while the car is moving
18. If you buy a set of aftermarket wheels… don’t get rid of the originals
19. Check out your 20-year old spare tire and make sure that it holds air.
20. Make sure that you can get the plug out of the tow hook receptacle and try your tow hook out now…before you need it. Getting a plug out at night on a lonely highway isn’t always possible
21. Carry appropriate tools, extra fuses, relays (and if you’re really ****…spare brains, fuel pump, rabbit’s foot, etc. If you live in Idaho, carry a sleeping bag, extra food, and a side-arm.
22. Check throttle cables, clutch and brake linkages periodically
23. Change out fluids on a reasonable schedule (transaxle, PS, brake, clutch, etc.)
24. Use aluminum-friendly coolant
25. When attending track-days…get training first
26. Carry a fire extinguisher (Halon or “Son of Halon” much preferred)
27. Lithium grease on door stays, hood hinges, window linkages, regulators and tracks. etc. will help operate easier and reduce stress
28. Make sure the headlight actuator bar is not missing the retainer clip
29. Know how to close your windows/sunroom in the event they quit working in the open position (there’s a tool)
30. Keep a spare key where you can get to it
31. Use anti-seize on Water Pump and other selected bolts
32. Use correct Lock-Tight on selected bolts you don’t want backing out
33. Don’t let a wheel shop put balancing weights on the outside edge of your wheels. Rather install on the inside (out of sight) as close to the outside as possible). High speed balance with someone who knows what they are doing.
34. Controversial: Don’t drive to & from work in your best 928 (get two if you have to)
Controversial: Don't hit the track or autocross a lot (remember 2/6 bearing issue)
35. If you store your 928, make sure it is stored properly, plus take measures to avoid vermin
36. Check battery monthly. Yearly wash box with baking soda
37. Get to know a trusted tech/mechanic who KNOWS 928s VERY WELL before you need service
38. Check instrumentation after start up and regularly when driving
39. Joke: Buy a fast boat and use the 928 less
40. Don't let your kids in the car - or near it - especially teens or wannabe race driver friends
41. Park it at least two blocks away from other cars in parking lots. Actually, stay away from parking lots.
42. Do not expose to sunlight or rain. Garage it or buy a cover, etc.
43. Don’t drive on salt-covered roads
44. Hermetically seal it and forget about it. Then buy my 968 for daily driver
45. PAY for a real membership on Rennlist
46. Read Rennlist and share your knowledge and experiences
47. Don't wreck and mess everything up!
48. OTHERS?

Harvey

 

Park it.
*finis*

 

"....... If you live in Idaho, carry a sleeping bag, extra food, and a side-arm."




On my way to the Boise Parade in 2002, just about 5 minutes outside of Rome, Oregon (a spot in the road if there ever was one), I looked in the mirror and saw steam and water streaming out of the rear of the car. Immediately I pulled over and shut down as I saw the temp needle climbing. I had lost the short hose connected to the heater valve just behind the air cleaner housing. I had thought I would simply wait for a Highway Patrol officer to come along. I waited. I waited a little longer. Finally, after about 45 minutes and not one car in either direction, I started loading my shotgun, and planning where to pitch my tent and what to cook for dinner that evening. Just as I finished loading, a car pulled up behind me and stopped. He happened to have a CB radio and was also an NRA member like me. A relief to be sure. After explaining my situation, he concluded that the best bet was to radio Rome and get a tow truck there to come out. I was towed all the way into Boise on the back of that truck.

Now I have both a CB radio and a police scanner in the car and use them constantly. Later I found out the reason no police were on the road. There had been an escape from a nearby prison in the area and a convicted murderer was being hunted down. Not too comforting for spending the night in a tent alongside the road while a desparate murderer sought a quick way out of the area. At least I had Mr. Winchester along to dissuade the fellow if necessary.

 

Ron
Great story.......I never thought you would be an NRA member.... a professor against tyrannical speeding laws...yes...but a gun wielding vegan.....right on...thats cool!!

Harvey
You got a good list there.....one thing you forgot.....change all the relays and fuses every say 20 years & use stabilant when you install the new ones!

 

Harvey,

Lots of interesting stuff ... but there seems to be a theme of don't use it TOO much... If you really love driving the car - all the work to make it last a lifetime is a bit pointless if you don't actually drive it as often as you can right...?

If you just like looking at it maybe that's OK....

Personally I drive mine more or less every day - that way I know when something is going south, and I enjoy driving it!

Will it still last forever - with the right maintenence and continued care - I think it pretty much will.

Of course the low effort way to make your car last a liftime is to drive it into a bridge at full speed... I wouldn't recommend that way though!

Alan

PS

"26. Carry a fire extinguisher (Halon or “Son of Halon” much preferred)"

Halon is actually the most effective per unit volume (admittedly less green though)

"14. Make sure that your rev-limiter is working"

On the one hand: Yes you are going to need her extra money for the 928
OR alternatively - I really recommend you don't try to test your rev limiter...

"42. Do not expose to sunlight or rain. Garage it or buy a cover, etc."

Sun & rain really aren't the enemy in moderation - neglect is more the problem.

 

Well-written list.

I would add an identical line about brake pads & rotors near #23 (fluids).

 

You aren't serious about the 3K mile oil changes, are you? Maybe you are, but I don't think anything more often than the recommended 15K mile interval with decent oil is going to do anything useful for the car, and it's rather wasteful. That would be 5 times as much oil as I use now.

 

With a burn rate of 500 miles per quart of oil, do I ever need to change oil? I'm already replacing 30 quarts per interval, without changing oil. Maybe I'll just change the filter once every 5000 miles.

 

Others:

- Don't slam the rear hatch unless you want to replace the latch receiver often. Close it gently and press on it to latch.
- Use 100% occlusive sunshades when you park the car outside in the sun to preserve the interior.
- Clean and feed the leather every 3 months.
- Do Wally's annual electrical maintenance check.

 

another to add to the list...

Make sure that you know where Bill lives.

 

Check yer flexpate... often.

My '86 is going >150mph in 3rd when it hits the rev limiter. How fast does it go in 4th?

 

"On my way to the Boise Parade in 2002, just about
5 minutes outside of Rome, Oregon
(a spot in the road if there ever was one....)"

Not to change the topic (too much) I've heard that there is an abandoned (?) airbase near Rome, Oregon where one can (or at least used to be able to) put their cars through the high-speed paces. I'd sure like to verify the status of this today. Might make a good place for a "Track Attack"? I wonder if Google Earth would show the airstrip? I'll have to look when I get a moment.

Harvey

 

I believe fresh oil has short life components for cleaning and stuff and you do not want to be too frequently sticking those in the motor?
Modern oil is designed to last the service interval, this is complex and changing the oil too often interferes with the designed oil life cycle.....

Marton

 

17. Don’t reset your trip meter under the odometer while the car is moving

that doesn't apply to our cars. the 928 has a solenoid that engages the trip odometer.
not a gear as the 911 has.

49. don't do anything stupid
nice list BTW

 

Shane,

I think if you were to wind your 928 out in 4th....your flexplate might go into orbit....you definitely have too many horses under your hood. You need to share.

BTW, I watched the Dutch Habor Crabbing show the other night and it showed pics of Dutch Harbor. Not a single track or drag strip that I could see. However, your wife's bar should be lit up bright most of the year...even with movie stars and cameramen who might drive Porsches...but incapable of 150mph in 3rd gear! I think their rev limiter might relate to the size of their huevos.

Go Maniacs!

Harvey