TheSui

Hey guys, I bought a Automatic 1985 928s about a month ago.

Before I can go on with my problems and general thoughts I have with my car, I gotta tell you- this is my first car.

But before you start hammering away on your keyboard to tell me that I should be buying a different car, I gotta tell you I know what I've gotten into. I spent about a year and a half searching for a type of car that would:
a.) Be cheap. (I'm paying for it.)
b.) Be something I want to be seen driving.
c.) Have some problems with it, so I can learn to fix them.
d.) Be fast.
e.) Have a lot of soul.

I finally found the 928, and fell in love with the curvy, powerful look of the shark. Everyone I knew thought the car was ugly, and it seemed I was the only one I knew who thought it looked beautiful.

My friends also are car enthusiasts, and we talk about them often. We kind of know what we are talking about, (although not as much as you guys), and we would constantly throw ideas for cars back and forth. I kept running it past them, and they kept saying how it would constantly break/fall apart and it was ugly. I kept my faith though, haha.

Basically, I spent months and months before I decided on the 928, and I think you guys would agree that this car is a perfect match.

My father is a car maniac. He was repairing cars and motorcycles his whole life. He was a rally car driver for a while, and has all the tools/connections/knowledge I would need, and he loves to fix cars.
So, I have a lot of help too.


----------------------------The story behind the purchase-----

I bought my 928s a month or two ago, for about $4,000. The guy who previously owned it seemed to know almost nothing about cars, and my dad told me to also act like we had no clue about them either, and we were buying it for the badge. This was probably to make him think like he was the one controlling everything, and who knew what was going on. I have no clue, car sales is kinda shady.

So before we bought it, we took it for a test drive. I had never driven any car without power steering, so during my drive I was too busy watching all the hair grow on my arms from wrenching around the wheel to pay attention to details, but again, my dad noticed it seemed lazy in the low revs. He assumed it might be the t-belt, as it hadn't been changed in a while, along with a few different problems. He was confused, as he couldn't figure it out.

But, the guy wanted only $4,000 for the car, and threw in a a new subwoofer and a brand new catalytic converter, which he thought the car had needed when it failed to pass emissions, but never opened because his mechanic redid the wiring in the car, and it passed with flying colors the next test.

TL;DR
So, my dad and I, although concerned about the lazy revs, took the $4,000 offer.

----------------------------Post-Purchase (so-far)---------------

So the car was delivered, and I couldn't wait to drive it. However, my dad and I agreed that the bare minimum of work I needed to do before I drove it was to replace the timing belt. Then, we realized we needed the belt tensioning tool and a wrench to replace it. So we ordered them online, and began to clean out our garage to have a space to work on my car, and store it.

When we finished cleaning, I began to strip the interior. The previous owner was a smoker, and was terrible to the interior. However, he did buy some new leather panels which were nice, but I don't think they match very well. Anyway, the carpet was past fixable, and I knew we had to get a new one.

We began to find and begin work on the other small problems problems as well.
-The sunroof wouldn't retract- the motor would turn, and noise was heard, but it just wouldn't move.
-The trunk wouldn't open with the button. To open it, you need to press down on the hatch with the key in the slot, turn, and then pull up.
-The driver's door would stay locked, and to open it, you need to insert your key into the hole, turn, and keep it there while you open it.
-The AC blew air. Not hot air, and not cold air. Just air.
-Passenger side door mirror wouldn't move.
-There was no radio head. The P.O. had removed his fancy touch screen DVD player when he sold the car.

We also knew what the big problems were-
-Timing Belt
-Timing Belt Tensioner
-Brakes: The pads, sensors and calipers all needed replacing.
-The lazy low revs. Why was the engine acting this way?


-----------------------------The shocking secrets------------

So, a week before my dad left for a buisness trip, (He goes away for a month, every other month) we decided to polish the car. We discovered a small crack ontop of the left rear wheel arch. We kept polishing around the area, and noticed the spoiler seemed a little higher up than the center spoiler. The crack between the left end of the car, and the hatch was not straight. The interior plastic on the inside was uneven, and warped away from the side. The side mirrors had little flecks of white paint ontop of them.

My dad leaned under the car. He realized what was causing the low revs. The exhaust was off position, and most likely blocked

He pieced it all together: the car had been in a minor accident, and the P.O. did a terrible job of getting it fixed. The paint was slightly off tone. The white flecks ontop of the rear view mirrors were primer/paint from a car near it while it was getting repaired. The left back end hadn't been fixed properly, explaining why the interior didn't fit right. The exhaust hadn't been properly fixed either. This explains why he ordered the catalytic converter- he thought it might have been damaged in the crash, and when he realized it was alright, he left it wrapped.

So, my dad began to realize that the garage the P.O. went to obviously was terrible. He made some calls, and we're going to get the frame examined soon, when he arrives again.

One night, the car battery died, (light was left on during work), and we jumped it again the next morning. With the electrical system rebooted, the alarm immediately went off for way too many cycles, and all the doors locked. Eventually it stopped, and my dad opened the hood/got into the electrical board on the passenger side.

Apparently, the P.O. had struck again! He had unsuccessfully tried to install an aftermarket alarm, but had wired it so it was constantly getting a danger signal. He must have took it into the mechanic again, because many wires were cut, and missing.

So, now I have a car whose engine has been disabled by its own aftermarket alarm, which thinks its constantly being stolen, and has been improperly fixed after a small crash. Basically, it no longer starts.

------------------------------------Now------------------------------


So my dad went away on his buisness trip before we could fix everything.
He's coming back soon with all the parts, but until then, I have not much I can do but sit and admire my poor beauty.

I'll be posting here often to update on my progress.

If anyone can offer me some advice/guide me through these various problems, that'd be great:

+ Timing Belt and TB Tensioner replacement
+ Disabling/fixing alarm wiring
+ Buying new brake pads/calipers/sensors
+ Buying a door lock actuator
+ Fixing the AC
+ Buying a new spare tire lid
+ Finding a new 1 DIN head
+ Replacing the Dashboard
+ Advice/moral support through these tough times with my poor car

The attached picture is really bad quality, with the hood popped too, but the car is beautiful. The exterior color is carmona red (a maroon).

Thanks a bunch!

ROG100

Welcome to 928 ownership.
You have come to the right place for all the help you will need with your car.

A number of suppliers here can help you with your specific parts needs.
Great color!
Roger

SteveG

Welcome. Can't tell from the pic, but you might have done OK on the price. You can find a lot of answers here by "search" A timing belt per se won't result in slugginshness, but you are right to start with the belt if you have no documentation on it. If the cam notches don't line up it may have slipped at tooth on the belt. J. Kelly[edit correction of name] has a great TB instruction manual. And the pictures will help with familiarization.

Where are you located? Read the new visitor thread. Put MY and location in your sig line. Someone nearby may be able to loan a tool or three.

this is the best place to get infor and support. People are a little slow to respond, maybe on vacation. Maybe too many questions to start. Limit a thread to one or two related questions in the subject line and you may get more help.

Good luck.

Jadz928

Welcome aboard! Sound like my first 928 purchase. Dive in deep and start swimming... and hope to have enough breath to get to the surface.
Very nice waters here on RL... and people will be more friendly if you are a member.

AO

Welcome. What a saga!

Jim bailey - 928 International

The car may ALSO have the factory alarm which can disable the car. The T belt tensioner is probably fine just needs a few rubber bits. The ignition brain has a vacuum line for spark advance if there are vacuum issues which would also affect the A/C system you may not be getting enough spark advance. The 85-86 also had an "octane loop" a wire which hangs near the computer brains which if connected retards the ignition timing if you have to run low octane fuel. Often well meaning POs and technicians plug in the "loose wires" .... We have a warehouse jammed full of nothing but 928 parts so anything you need and more ,we probably have good used parts as well as new and rebuilt.

bigmac

Grab a ride and come to Sharks in Hell.

M. Requin

Don't get discouraged! All this stuff is fixable, especially with the help of listers here. Get Jim Kelly's book on timing belt replacement, keep it in the john, and in a couple of days you'll feel well prepped for that job. As far as potential crash damage goes, you are more than likely looking at bad cosmetics rather than real trouble, although checking the frame is a good idea. These things are VERY tough. Replacing the dash - you didn't mention why, but search on "dash repair" - lots of info. Other tips: this is THE source of 928 info, so post all your questions, and read the answers carefully! And as SteveG suggested, add your MY and location to your sig. I would also add, when you can, JOIN! It's more than worth it.

M. Requin

And you DO have power steering (if your pump isn't dry or the belt isn't missing) - blame your hairy palms, errr- arms, on something else...

Mako 928

Welcome
As others have stated get John Kelly's Timing belt manual. It is specific for 85'86' MY before you do the timing belt as it will point out what needs to be inspected/replaced.
Spend some time here searching out what you are looking at fixing on your car, it will answer alot of questions you have and guide you into doing the repairs before you post a specific question. Get the car to a good basic running condition i.e. inspect vacuum/electrical/fuel lines/hoses before moving onto other projects. You will be surprised by how much better the car runs when theese things are in order.

Bill Ball

Welcome aboard. You and your dad will have some fun with this. John Kelly's timing belt guide is beyond excellent. Search his name and contact him for a copy. There are lots of online resources too. Model year differences will influence the details, as mentioned, but the basic steps are similar. I mention some of the online resources and add my own tips in this document (sorry, 2.5MB).
http://www.billsworkshop.com/P928S4/...Resources2.doc

Read over all of Nichol's Tips here:
http://www.nichols.nu/tips.htm

Read the noobie guide:
https://rennlist.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39427

Buy a copy of the Workshop Manual and technical documents CD from Jim Morehouse (should be mentioned in the noobie guide). This will make you and your dad's lives a lot easier.

Go to Sharks in Hell and see if Andrew will let you hold a prayer vigil at the 928 Shrine. It couldn't hurt.

rixter

welcome to the shark tank, your car appears to be GarnettRedMetallic, paint code 822... sticker should be on the drv door jamb

you actually have power assist steering so you won't have the easy modern turning feeling, but you will feel the road and be able to control the car much better

M. Requin

Ahh, master speaks! Thanks for the clarification OB-wan (and BTW, did you find your way back to the hotel after the feast in Marion at SITM? I waited around and thought you were behind me but wasn't sure- in any event great meeting up with you there)

Landseer

Welcome. As you start diving in, and get past the timing belt, look also for posts by Dwayne on stuff for brakes, instrument panel, etc. Particularly well-documented DIY. I think Bill set-up a workshop space for archiving Dwayne's stuff as well.

TheSui

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome! It's really nice to know there's such a great community for these beautiful cars!

To respond:

Jim Bailey-
Woops, meant to mention that too. The factory alarm has disabled the car and ENabled all the locks. The aftermarket alarm seems to be triggering that nonstop, and causing the really loud, headache inducing noises.
Hmm, interesting thing about the vaccum line. Its good to know. The car started fine up until the battery died, and we jumped it.
I'll look at the octane loop aswell, and keep you updated.
Thanks for the advice/info, and I'll definately contact you if I'm looking for parts again! I think the P.O. ordered things from you, as I have new decals for the controls in the center console from you guys, and a dvd from you aswell! It's really cool to hear from you.

M.Requin-
Thanks for the support. I'm only a little discouraged now, because there is not much I can do until I get the parts, so just having my poor porsche, with a completely stripped interior sitting in my garage is a sad sight.
I've searched John Kelly's name, and I can't seem to find anything on the timing belt manual! I'm definately going to purchase it.
I really hope it's just bad cosmetics too!
I'm thinking about replacing the dash because it is cracked in many locations. Thanks for the tips!

Mako-
Thanks for the advice.

Bill-
The links and guides are very helpful, thank you. Again, I can't find John Kelly's user, probably because I'm not yet a rennlist member.

I'll edit this post with more responses in an hour or so, but I have to run to my senior photo pictures.