LCMilstein

Good evening, all. This is my first post to Rennlist; I've read the admin instructions for n00bs and already received some excellent off-thread advice from Jim. I am writing to introduce myself.

I just took delivery of my 1987 928 S4, black with burgundy interior, manual transmission, and a ton of problems, but the body is near mint.

I'd love to fix as much as possible on my own, but would never even attempt it without the support of a community like this. I live in San Diego (Del Mar) and work in UTC, so if there are others in these neighborhoods interested in showing the new guy around his car (help with identifying some of the parts I've found in my glove box, etc.), please let me know. Else, I look forward to participating in the community.

Thanks for all the resources

-Lee

89 928 turbo

If you are interesed in wrenching, these cars are more than willing to let you participate....and most of the folks here are more than willing and ready to give you good advise based on hours of experience, and a love for 928's.

Get yourself a good set of metrics, get extra 10 and 13mm's sockets and your off to the races.....get ready for some fun!

jt
89-928 Turbo- Guards Red

ibkevin

Welcome aboard Lee!

You're timing couldn't be better, a group of 928'ers are getting together at the Rancho Bernardo Winery this Sunday as kind of a summer closer. Neil set one up earlier this spring and it went over very well.


I hope you are able to bring your car!

morganabowen

Welcome to the board How about some pictures of this "Near mint body".

Randy V

Welcome, Lee!


Geeze - it's this Sunday? I may not be able to make it after all. We're hosting a huge party Saturday night - I imagine most of Sunday will be dealing with the aftermath.

Was the RB Winery affected by the fires? Is there street access into that section of RB yet?

BC

Whats the history on the car Lee?

SteveG

Get a ream of paper and have at these other sites too.

Pirtle: http://members.rennlist.com/pirtle/

Nichols: http://www.nichols.nu/tips.htm

Sam H.

Hi Lee, and welcome to the community. I live nearby, in Torrey Hills. I haven't wrenched a lot on the engine of my car, but I've done a several of the little projects -- sunroof seals, door arrestors, 930 steering wheel, replacement speakers, RMB, wheel well liners, etc. -- that you probably have on your list. I also have a copy of the 928 manuals on CD, in case you need some pages printed out. I recommend you get a set of the manuals ($$$) or a CD version. Also, I have copies of the exploded parts diagrams, I think it's referred to as the PET (or something like that).

For bigger projects, I take my car to Automotive Excellence on Sorrento Valley Road. Stefan is the owner and Hans is the mechanic. They're not cheap, but they do good work.

LCMilstein

Wow. You guys have made me so happy. I felt a bit lost without community support on this project, and I am really looking forward to working with you all.

Let's see:

1) Pictures will be posted on Thursday or Friday (after I get the car cleaned of ash and soot);

2) What time are you getting together on Sunday. I would love to come by. The car is driving, so I'll most definitely bring it.

3) I really did do my homework, so I'm pleased to say I have read through almost all of the links you've all provided, and I know which books and manuals you are talking about. I've got the owner's manual, and I am planning to purchase the PET and workshop manuals from one of the other fantastic members of this site.

4) All that said, Sam, fixing the seals is at the top of my list, and I'd love some tips. I'll post a full list of what I know about over the weekend, but 2 quick and easy ones are fixing all the seals and fixing the windshield washer spray nozzles/tubes. Perhaps we can get together in the next few weeks; I'll PM you and we'll talk.

Again, thank you all.

LCMilstein

As far as I can tell (and based on the AutoCheck report), the car had 2 prior owners. It was born in Pennsylvania and moved with the owner to Florida, where it spent its life. It was then sold to someone in New Hampshire in '06 who also owned a 911 GTS and decided fixing the 928 wasn't as much fun as he hoped (wasn't a money or access thing as the guy owned a salvage yard -- this was NOT a salvage car). There is some time missing between '99 and '06, but no title problems, so I'm not sure if it sat or what happened during that time.

It definitely sat for months in NH, and when I received it, we first had to clean a rat's nest from the air filter which restored much of its glory. So far, I've had the rack & pinion, rear shift coupler, driver's side rear CV axle boot, rear brakes, and tires replaced. My current, not totally informed list of next steps include:
-new battery (wrong one installed on receipt -- to big for the space);
-new valve cover gaskets (the seep, but not full leak);
-new passenger window motor;
-new mirror motors;
-clean/repair all gauges (possibly also the fuel sender);
-replace lower control arm;
-replace the hood and rear hatch strut/shocks;
-replace rubber straps for hatch box (not even sure what this is);
-fix front driver's side wheel studs (one stud had a seized lug, which we got off, but can't put a new lug on that stud);
-fix air conditioning (totally non-functioning);
-fix all weather stripping/seals (there are a bunch of leaks in rain/carwash);
-check if ac vents are clogged (leaks into footbox);
-fix the hatch poppers;
-fix whatever is making the rear wiper not move despite motor noise and shuttering;
-fix the windshield washer nozzles or hoses or pump (whatever is making that not work);
-replace ALL non-dash interior lights (in hopes they are all out b/c of old bulbs and not something else); AND
-a whole bunch of work to interior (rear passenger side visor replacement; dash replacement; recover steering wheel, shift boot, and driver's seat at a minimum).

How does that sound? How bad is it? Can I get recommendations as to what I should attempt on my own and what I should leave to the pros? I have NO experience on cars (I am all about building computers and fixing things around the house), but I'm interested in learning and LOVE the feeling of accomplishment when I actually fix something myself (or with the help of friends).

BC

I think a good replacement of the trans fluid (auto or manual - I don't see) is always a good start. Filters, plugs, adjusting the bowden cable if its an auto.

LCMilstein

5-speed manual, which leads me to a host of other questions (heel/toe vs. double-clutching, rpms for getting into first, whether shutter at <1000 rpm is normal, etc), but I'll leave those for another post...

docmirror

buy a good DMM with current capabilities first.

Battery: Search on ground point cleaining, and resting current draw. R&R is DIY.

Cam cover gaskets: Pro, or pro help.

Pax window motor/mirror motors: Test first! Amost certainly wiring fault. Semi pro or helper.

Lift struts: DIY

Wheel stud: DIY

Gauges: Wiring again, test first before R&R. If you do computers then DIY

Lower control arm: Pro or good helper.

A/C: Pro

Weather strip: DIY

Leak in footwell: DIY lots of investigation upside down with flashlight.

Hatch release: DIY, search on writeup for 'hatch adjustment'.

Rear wiper pin alignment: DIY, after hatch release adjustment.

Washer nozzle/hose/pump: DIY, fill with fluid, check for cracked fluid lines, valves. Horribly over-complex, simplify the plumbing.

Interior lights: DIY, simple except possible wiring fault on the front dome light. Search on 'dome light' for help.

Interior work: Mostly pro, some small jobs can be DIY.

Welcome, have fun. Most of your symptoms are going to be related to fuses, relays, wiring, or ground points. Be ready with the DMM. Use search because much of what you've posted has been covered pretty well previously. The mirror motors don't both fail at once, wiring, or fuse/relay. Gauges not working is usually related to the large wire bundle that goes across the front of the engine. Interior lights is usually ground, or bulb not making contact.

Lots of WYAIT work when you R&R the cam covers. Something no one has mentioned yet, but is critical is the state of the timing belt. If the car sat for a long time, this must be checked. Search for 'timing belt check' or just take off the pax side dist cap, rotor, clear some space and remove the upper belt cover. It needs to be carefully inspected right away. Also the tensioner while the cover is off.

Lots of things to keep you busy for many weekends. Motor mounts, wiring, clutch blue hose, wiring, CV joint boots, wiring........

RED SHARK 1990

Hello new member i am in DEL MAR area and i did alot of work myself-give me a call or stop by .Luan 858-752-3548-replaced all or 99% of your list.

Nicole

Hi Lee:

Congratulations to your new shark, and welcome to rennlist. There are a bunch of nice guys in your area, and I hope you'll get to know them.

Your list of issues doesn't sound too scary - it seems you have mostly smaller proejcts on your list.

When you replace the interior lights, replace the bulbs with LEDs.

The trouble with the bulbs is that they drain the battery and heat up the clear housings of the interior lights to the point where they buckle. Particularly the one between the front visors likes to short out and blow the instrument panel fuse. I have replaced that complete light twice so far - and kept the other lights off until I switched to the LEDs.

There are also LED kits for the instruments and console, if you want to take it that far.

Best of luck!