So as of now my 928 S4 auto sits at home awaiting my return during spring break when I can swap the winter beater for it.

I have only driven the car a total of 1000 miles since purchase and I have to drive it back 400 miles to school after spring break and it will need to be a DD reliably.

So my question is what needs to be looked at to make it reliable. I am aware of the TBF that 928s are prone to, but other than that what are common ailments to a 928.

Basically what do I need to do to keep from ending up on the side of the road.

TIA
-Catfood

 

How is your electrical system? 90% of failures are electrical. 99% if you maintain TB/WP/crank end play, etc... these engines will take a serious beating and keep returning. If you're all set with the above mechanical issues, then I would say the next point of failure may be the LH brain or EZK, or the poorly-designed metal-on-plastic radiator. If you have a new rad, especially one of the all-aluminum ones, I'd say you're probably safe on that count. I'd say that in general if the car is running fine now, it will probably be running fine in 400 miles. I could be wrong, but in general I have had excellent experiences with the 928, and drove one as DD the last three years of college. I lived on campus, but I probably drove every other day, and the car never gave me a problem. Hauls a lot of kegs too

 

Catfood, here is what I would do.
1 - Fuel lines.
2 - other preventative maintenance items due, eg fluids, brakes, hoses etc etc.

These cars tend to be reliable as DD's if the PM is done.
Fuel lines if not done previously are the most pressing issue (big fire!!).

Most other items need only be done as the arise or are scheduled and are less likely to cause total loss.

Myles

 

I have recently completed a TB/WP/crank job, and the car is running with a new radiator.

What particularly happens when the LH Brain and EZK fail?

My favorite part about the 928 is when my friends have to do paper, rock, scissors to see who squeezes in the back.

 

The best thing you can do for a 928 and reliability... is drive the **** out of it on a daily basis.

 

The fuel rails have been recently cleaned and reinstalled. Are there any rubber ones that are prone to failure?

I have checked and replaced needed hoses as well as flushing and replacing every fluid & filter

 

Agreed!! However distance is the problem right now. I cant afford snow tires for my 928, so I have to leave it in a more balmy climate.

 

Ooh fuel lines. That's a big one. I just assumed it would have been done immediately after purchase, but yes, good call. Don't have a crispy 928. LH and EZK failures will result in an inability to start the car. get the FWSM (which you should have anyway, 10 bucks on CD), and you can learn more about the symptoms there under the troubleshooting section. It's very thorough.

 

On a low student budget, I'd replace the fuel lines with the kit from Roger Tyson, buy a couple of spare 253 relays (fuel pump, ignition etc.), replace the heater valve hose (and the $18 valve too if it doesn't hold vacuum), a roll of self-amalgamating silicone tape (for hose repairs if a radiator/coolant hose springs a leak).

Then do any fluids due for replacement and check levels of those that aren't, check the brake pads, and drive

Beyond that minimum set, I'd look for fire-flies on the plug wires in the dark, check condition of rotors/caps, and save money for an intake refresh or any unforeseen problems that may spring up like fuel pump death, MAF replacement etc.

 

In addition to above:

• All critical rubber under the hood should be checked/replaced if needed.
• Clean all major power points; battery terminals, Alternator/Starter connections, Jump post connection(replace cover if missing), B+ studs on top of CE panel.
• Clean all ground points(see FAQ).
• Have the battery load tested.
• Check all belts, or just replace them all and put the old ones in the tire well as spares.
• Fuel filter if you don't know when it was last done
• Make sure cowl drain is clear
• Pour lots of water down the cowl in front of the pass. side wiper, checking for drips above the CE panel. If you see any drips, re-seal the blower box.
• If you have a sunroof, get a length of small-diameter weed-wacker line and gently clear the drains at each corner of the sunroof.

 

Check release flex plate tension. Might think about one of the clamp options to prevent TBF.

 

This should come first. Has to be the #1 reason automatic transmission 928s die.

I've seen way more of these failures than timing belt failures.

 

Thanks for everything guys!!

 

If the LH is not the new style upgrade/repair now to prevent downtime.
If you pop the cover off and go to JDS website you can see what the new tile should look like.
The other thing to consider is buying a new fuel pump and keep it in the box. As they do fail as well.

 

AAA - American Automobile Association

I haven't had to use it much - not even once a year - but I'm still ahead over the last five.