Spare tire compressor?
07-15-2010, 01:07 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Spare tire compressor?
Hi guys,
Trying to get all of the "small" bits that my car is missing. Would anyone have an idea what kind of tire compressor was included with '87 S4s? There seems to be two versions of Porsche tire compressors - one that connects to lighter plug and comes in a small black plastic container (the one that's almost always sold with broken lock tabs); another one looks like it connects to either directly to battery or to the hot spots under the hood (sorry, correct name escapes me at this moment) via crocodile clips (and it looks like there is no carrier for it, compressor itself is shaped like a box)?
Also, borrowing this picture from Afshin (hope you do not mind). What kind of spare belts are those and more importantly, what's in that sealed clear plastic bag (looks like gloves, but I wonder if anything else is there as well):
Thank You!
Trying to get all of the "small" bits that my car is missing. Would anyone have an idea what kind of tire compressor was included with '87 S4s? There seems to be two versions of Porsche tire compressors - one that connects to lighter plug and comes in a small black plastic container (the one that's almost always sold with broken lock tabs); another one looks like it connects to either directly to battery or to the hot spots under the hood (sorry, correct name escapes me at this moment) via crocodile clips (and it looks like there is no carrier for it, compressor itself is shaped like a box)?
Also, borrowing this picture from Afshin (hope you do not mind). What kind of spare belts are those and more importantly, what's in that sealed clear plastic bag (looks like gloves, but I wonder if anything else is there as well):
Thank You!
07-15-2010, 02:15 PM
#2
Chronic Tool Dropper
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My car came with the compressor in the black box, says 'PORSCHE' molded into the plastic. This is the highly-regarded but barely adequate (hope you brought lunch...) original. The selling dealer thoughtfully added an upgraded compressor, tan case, made in Canada but with a PCNA part number on it. Supposedly higher flow for faster inflation. It's also enough bigger that it doesn't fit inside the spare so well.
Today both of those are on the preservation shelf, replaced in the car by a known functioning high-capacity pump. Smaller, lighter, less current draw, faster inflation. Found it at Wally World a few years ago, well almost two decades ago, and it served well in my now-gone Explorer for casual duty with boat trailer wheels and inflatable toys. I recommend that you consider an aftermarket unit like this for casual duty. The 25YO Porsche unit I have is worth more than 5x the cost of the aftermarket unit. Plus the original units I have are both virgins, that has to make them worth even more!
Today both of those are on the preservation shelf, replaced in the car by a known functioning high-capacity pump. Smaller, lighter, less current draw, faster inflation. Found it at Wally World a few years ago, well almost two decades ago, and it served well in my now-gone Explorer for casual duty with boat trailer wheels and inflatable toys. I recommend that you consider an aftermarket unit like this for casual duty. The 25YO Porsche unit I have is worth more than 5x the cost of the aftermarket unit. Plus the original units I have are both virgins, that has to make them worth even more!
07-15-2010, 02:29 PM
#3
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
yep, I heard stories that these compressors were not all that good. But I do want to have the original in the car, will make me feel better
As for using spare or inflating it... Probably the last thing I would want to do is ride on that 20+ years old spare tire. I'll call AAA to either patch the tire or flatbed me to a nearest tire shop...
Cheers!
As for using spare or inflating it... Probably the last thing I would want to do is ride on that 20+ years old spare tire. I'll call AAA to either patch the tire or flatbed me to a nearest tire shop...
Cheers!
07-15-2010, 04:42 PM
#5
Chronic Tool Dropper
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MX:
I like the idea of having the original compressor, but hesitate to depend on it. It's safely preserved on the shelf, as is that original Porsche kit with the gloves and the storage bag for the tire that comes off. In the place of that bag there's a care package with several large trash bags. One is for the old tire, same intention as the original. Another is there to use as a ground cover in case I need to get onto the ground for something. Another can be surgically altered to mimic a poncho, on the off chance that a) it rains here in the Cali coastal desert, b) I happen to be caught out in the 928 in said rain, and c) it happens to be my lucky day and I end up with car trouble. I also have a pair of leather work gloves plus a few pairs of nitrile exam gloves. Also have some shop rags and a tube of waterless hand cleaner.
The original belt set with the metal tags is in that spares box in the garage too, while the last set of replaced belts is in the spare wheel in the car. I suspect that my 5-year replacement-cycle belts are in better/more reliable condition than the 25YO pieces that came with the car. Certainly good enough to get me home or to the pool hall.
I like the idea of having the original compressor, but hesitate to depend on it. It's safely preserved on the shelf, as is that original Porsche kit with the gloves and the storage bag for the tire that comes off. In the place of that bag there's a care package with several large trash bags. One is for the old tire, same intention as the original. Another is there to use as a ground cover in case I need to get onto the ground for something. Another can be surgically altered to mimic a poncho, on the off chance that a) it rains here in the Cali coastal desert, b) I happen to be caught out in the 928 in said rain, and c) it happens to be my lucky day and I end up with car trouble. I also have a pair of leather work gloves plus a few pairs of nitrile exam gloves. Also have some shop rags and a tube of waterless hand cleaner.
The original belt set with the metal tags is in that spares box in the garage too, while the last set of replaced belts is in the spare wheel in the car. I suspect that my 5-year replacement-cycle belts are in better/more reliable condition than the 25YO pieces that came with the car. Certainly good enough to get me home or to the pool hall.
07-15-2010, 05:01 PM
#6
Rennlist Member
Dunno about earlier cars but my '91 has a bottle of (dried up) touch up paint in the bag as well.
