9x8

I need a word of wise advice from 928 gurus.

My 928GT currently has oil pan off for OPG and MM job.
The question is: should I take 2/6 rod caps off and take a look at bearings - or is it better to not touch anything and just leave it as it is now?

Engine has 240K Kms on it and runs great, pulls strong and generally seems to be in OK condition. Car was never tracked.
Also, I believe noone ever touched bearings.

So, what should I do?
Thanks in advance for any advices!

AO

Yes. Do it. Probably fine, but it would be good to know.

Rob Edwards

+1. Mine were fine at 112K miles, but I changed 'em anyway. Takes about 15 minutes with the pan off (and the engine out.... 55 ft-lbs!!!!!

9x8

Also, is it okay to take them off and then reinstall them back? (ofc they go back only if they are good).
Some engine guy here told me that it's either "do not touch" or "replace with new" - is he wrong?

Rob Edwards

Well, you'd sure better replace the nuts, they're single use only. I put in a quartet of 'yellow' Porsche bearing shells, 0.0591" thick. If you've gone to the trouble of taking them out, why would you put worn ones back in? They're not that expensive ( though looking thru my records it appears I never paid Greg for mine. Oops...)

9x8

I do have 4 spare rod nuts, but I don't have the rod bearings and it will take another month to get them in case I need to replace.
Well, I didn't actually plan on replacing them initially, was only going to check (since I'm pretty sure that they are still within specs). Although, my previous message tells why I'm considering not even checking them now.

Some opinions on the "either replace with new or do not touch" idea?

AO

I would check them, with the plan of NOT replacing them unless there is obvious wear. If they are completely grey, just coat them in oil and stick them back on.

9x8

Okay, thanks.
They are going out then! (and hopefully back in afterwards).

AO

Make sure you keep them straight as to where they came from. You don't want to mix them up.

In fact, you should only have to pull either #2 or #6, not both.

One tip someone gave me was to put some hose or rubber tubing on the threaded end of the rod so you don't chance scoring the crank.

Take pics.

9x8

Will do!
Thanks for the tips.

Roy928tt

Like most other parts, bearings have wear limits, you could measure the clearance with plasti-gage, or you could just visually inspect either way if they look good by all means reuse them. Even piston rings have wear limits, pop the ring off the piston, slip it into the worn section of the bore and measure the gap.

Personally I wouldn't replace the nuts, just a lick of Loctite thread locker and retension, BUT I'm only a mechanic of 25 yrs and it would be my own vehicle.

Cheers Roy

Tony

I replaced mine in an S4 at appx 155k..they were fine but i replaced them anyway. All had good uniform wear to my novice eye. As Andrew says, cover the threads when installing the caps.
Also, get a silicone pan gasket and a stud set for it, you will never have a leak again.

Leon Speed

So the consensus is to go with yellow when replacing?

mickster

The timing of this thread is ideal. I was speaking with a 928 mechanic who may do some work for me on the car I'm in process of buying (should close in 2 days-I hope!) and with 145K on the car he suggested replacing them as a WYAIT. I think the whole set is under $100 and minimal additional labor while he's doing the MM & Pan Gasket replacement. Makes perfect sense to me since a silicone pan gasket and new motor mounts should mean no reason to go under there for 100K more miles.

Michael

AO

IIRC I went with Glyco. So far so good.