Baptism into the world of 928 ownership (a year in review)
07-03-2007, 02:07 PM
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Baptism into the world of 928 ownership (a year in review)
A sequence of tragic events. Not a rant, just recaping - but be warned it is kind of long.
The Domino effect.
Ok I've had other problems & issues that I've had to deal with and overcome since I first purchased my shark. But none so closly related to one another. All of the following transpired over the last year plus or minus a couple of months.
At first I’m having electrical issues – Alternator not putting out the expected current. Voltage dropped below 12Vs with all accessories on. But the problem became clear when my alternator just up & quit on me. Replacing the Alternator everything seems ok so I figured I had that problem licked.
Moving forward a few months I started noticing an oil stains on my concrete that seemed to be *engine* oil but despite many hours under the car I could never seem to find the offending leak. Not an excessive amount mind you – but the stain was getting progressively worse as time went on. But fresh spots only appeared after the engine had been ran for a time & reached normal operating temperature. But as hard as I tried I was never able to put my finger on the seal or gasket was leaking. In fact standing in front of the vehicle the whole right side of the engine & in fact most of the suspension on that side of the engine bay seems really grimy. Not a lot of oil mind you just greasy & grimy with no telltale source.
I spend the next several months trying to sort out the source of the oil leak when I start noticing my dash coolant warning light coming on from time to time. Well sure enough the coolant was a little low but only enough to drop below the sensor in the expansion tank. I’d simply top it off and wouldn’t see the problem for another week or two.
It wasn’t until a little two months ago that I discovered that the cause of the coolant loss was that one of my radiator’s end caps had a tiny pin-hole leak. Crap! At temp the pin hole was spraying directly on the right side of my engine bay and soaking the Alternator (possible cause of the failure) as well as a number of other components on that side.
Fast forward after replacing the radiator (New C&R Alloy from 928int.com) I decide it was wise to replace the coolant hoses and the thermostat too. Well after about a month of dealing with seized & broken bolts in the thermostat cross over I finally got it back together.
I know, I know - some of you are saying “but what about the oil leak?” Well after I’d gotten it all back together again I cleaned and wiped down everything in the engine bay. I thought that with everything cleaned up – it should be easier to locate the leak now that the coolant wasn’t basically power blasting the oil all over the right side of the engine compartment anymore.
Well I was partially correct. Turns out that there is another source of *oil* in that area that I’d neglected to check. I’d forgotten that I’d had to ad some power steering fluid a while back and to the PS reservoir. I wrongly assumed that the steering rack had a minor leak because the fluid level stayed pretty steady over the following months.
Turned out the leak was the PS hose from the bottom of the reservoir to the PS pump. But it only leaked (weeped really) when the pump was on. The hose was basically just old & cracked towards the top – kind of out of sight. This hose passed within an inch of where the Radiator was leaking and was blasting the leaking fluid all over the right side of the engine, the PS pump and the “Alternator”.
Doing the math those two little leaks cost me a lot of money & valuable time better spend driving my car.
The Domino effect.
Ok I've had other problems & issues that I've had to deal with and overcome since I first purchased my shark. But none so closly related to one another. All of the following transpired over the last year plus or minus a couple of months.
At first I’m having electrical issues – Alternator not putting out the expected current. Voltage dropped below 12Vs with all accessories on. But the problem became clear when my alternator just up & quit on me. Replacing the Alternator everything seems ok so I figured I had that problem licked.
Moving forward a few months I started noticing an oil stains on my concrete that seemed to be *engine* oil but despite many hours under the car I could never seem to find the offending leak. Not an excessive amount mind you – but the stain was getting progressively worse as time went on. But fresh spots only appeared after the engine had been ran for a time & reached normal operating temperature. But as hard as I tried I was never able to put my finger on the seal or gasket was leaking. In fact standing in front of the vehicle the whole right side of the engine & in fact most of the suspension on that side of the engine bay seems really grimy. Not a lot of oil mind you just greasy & grimy with no telltale source.
I spend the next several months trying to sort out the source of the oil leak when I start noticing my dash coolant warning light coming on from time to time. Well sure enough the coolant was a little low but only enough to drop below the sensor in the expansion tank. I’d simply top it off and wouldn’t see the problem for another week or two.
It wasn’t until a little two months ago that I discovered that the cause of the coolant loss was that one of my radiator’s end caps had a tiny pin-hole leak. Crap! At temp the pin hole was spraying directly on the right side of my engine bay and soaking the Alternator (possible cause of the failure) as well as a number of other components on that side.
Fast forward after replacing the radiator (New C&R Alloy from 928int.com) I decide it was wise to replace the coolant hoses and the thermostat too. Well after about a month of dealing with seized & broken bolts in the thermostat cross over I finally got it back together.
I know, I know - some of you are saying “but what about the oil leak?” Well after I’d gotten it all back together again I cleaned and wiped down everything in the engine bay. I thought that with everything cleaned up – it should be easier to locate the leak now that the coolant wasn’t basically power blasting the oil all over the right side of the engine compartment anymore.
Well I was partially correct. Turns out that there is another source of *oil* in that area that I’d neglected to check. I’d forgotten that I’d had to ad some power steering fluid a while back and to the PS reservoir. I wrongly assumed that the steering rack had a minor leak because the fluid level stayed pretty steady over the following months.
Turned out the leak was the PS hose from the bottom of the reservoir to the PS pump. But it only leaked (weeped really) when the pump was on. The hose was basically just old & cracked towards the top – kind of out of sight. This hose passed within an inch of where the Radiator was leaking and was blasting the leaking fluid all over the right side of the engine, the PS pump and the “Alternator”.
Doing the math those two little leaks cost me a lot of money & valuable time better spend driving my car.
07-03-2007, 03:27 PM
#2
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WOW!!! I wish I only had those issues after a year of ownership. I'm on 7 months and my list is much worse and I have yet to fix my leaking power steering hose! I keep thinking next year will be better, next year will be better. I mean really, how many parts can be replaced before the car is considered new?
07-03-2007, 03:47 PM
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Don't get me wrong Paul like I said I've had other issues but none so closely related to one another.
Also I still have a short "to do" list:
Electrical:
Windshield & headlamp washers don't work. Not such a pressing issue living in Southern Kalifornia.
The horn doesn’t work! Kind'a scary sometimes because folks in big SUVs just don't see me down low to the ground. Only my cat like reflexes saved me once form some old gal backing over me in her 4x4 Excursion when she was backing out of her parking spot at the mall.
Actually I just floored it, closed my eyes & crossed my fingers hoping to get out’a her way before she hit me. 
Cosmetic
Exterior: Paint still needs some work. Plan on buffing as much as I can - but I think I'm going to eventually have to flip the dime for a re-blow.
Interior: Upper Door panels need to be re-done.
The rest is all tiny stuff that I can live with.
Also I still have a short "to do" list:
Electrical:
Windshield & headlamp washers don't work. Not such a pressing issue living in Southern Kalifornia.
The horn doesn’t work! Kind'a scary sometimes because folks in big SUVs just don't see me down low to the ground. Only my cat like reflexes saved me once form some old gal backing over me in her 4x4 Excursion when she was backing out of her parking spot at the mall.
Actually I just floored it, closed my eyes & crossed my fingers hoping to get out’a her way before she hit me. Cosmetic
Exterior: Paint still needs some work. Plan on buffing as much as I can - but I think I'm going to eventually have to flip the dime for a re-blow.
Interior: Upper Door panels need to be re-done.
The rest is all tiny stuff that I can live with.
07-03-2007, 04:28 PM
#4
Rennlist Member
I should have read closer.... just feeling the 928 $$$ pain as I ordered another batch of parts for my up coming project (rear wheel bearing, shocks and brakes).
I have to say one of the best features on my car is the horn. I've had to wake a few drivers up over the last year but then downshifting is also a nice feature.
I've got the dreaded clear coat peel and at some point a PO resprayed the roof and hood so it has a dual layered peel. Probably gonna pay extra for that effect but then one does not buy a 928 for investment purposes...
I have to say one of the best features on my car is the horn. I've had to wake a few drivers up over the last year but then downshifting is also a nice feature.
I've got the dreaded clear coat peel and at some point a PO resprayed the roof and hood so it has a dual layered peel. Probably gonna pay extra for that effect but then one does not buy a 928 for investment purposes...
07-04-2007, 12:14 AM
#6
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Artist Formerly Known As 84totheFloor
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Artist Formerly Known As 84totheFloor
I have learned in 1.5 years of ownership that the story of 928 ownership is more about the pilot than it is about the jet; being able to take care of the car is critical. Kudos to you Brett for your efforts!
07-04-2007, 03:27 AM
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Its something we all have to deal with when caring for a car like this. I've owned my 83' for 1 1/2 years and I've done the motor mounts, oil pan gasket, master cyclinder, water pump, timing belt(just finished) 
, and the list goes on. Plus, I'll be due for a whole new tranny sometime soon!! Luckily, I have been able to put 12,000 miles on the car in my time of ownership so I guess it not so bad.
Cheers,
Tony
, and the list goes on. Plus, I'll be due for a whole new tranny sometime soon!! Luckily, I have been able to put 12,000 miles on the car in my time of ownership so I guess it not so bad.Cheers,
Tony
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07-04-2007, 12:47 PM
#9
Lucky Bastard ! No need to brag like that.
Just kidding ! Brag all you want. Seriously, It took four years to get my first 928 sorted. Now it is my daily driver, as I am negotiating an exchange on my new truck for another truck. How ironic that my 928 is the car I turn to for reliable transpotation, while a new truck sits dormant in my yard. Keep up the good work, and maybe someday you will have the Porsche of your dreams.
BTW, I always seem to get to work early these days. What's up with that ?
Just kidding ! Brag all you want. Seriously, It took four years to get my first 928 sorted. Now it is my daily driver, as I am negotiating an exchange on my new truck for another truck. How ironic that my 928 is the car I turn to for reliable transpotation, while a new truck sits dormant in my yard. Keep up the good work, and maybe someday you will have the Porsche of your dreams.
BTW, I always seem to get to work early these days. What's up with that ?
07-04-2007, 12:59 PM
#11
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I appreciate (and respect) the o.b. owners that stick it out & keep their cars up to par like you guys. Admittedly, it's a lot easier to get a newer, lower mileage car than it is to take on an older, more 'experienced' car....or maybe I've just been luckier than most.
Since I haven't had to get in too deep at this point, I haven't learned as much about my car as many of you. I know that the day will come, however.
Since I haven't had to get in too deep at this point, I haven't learned as much about my car as many of you. I know that the day will come, however.