88porsche928

I am considering driving from Middletown, NY to Pensacola, FL in my 928. I have new timing belt / water pump, spark plug, plug wires, fuel pump, fuel filter, relays, fuses, rebuilt lh ecu, and a few minor things here and there. Is there anything you would do to your 928 to make sure it would make it? I am going to plot where there are U-Haul and Penske locations just in case the car breaks down. Is there any kind of test you guys can think of that will determine if the car will explode on route? Running the car on idle for how many hours?

dr bob

Don't run the car at idle for how many hours. It just wastes gas and proves that the engine will run at idle for how many hours.

My pre-trip inspection is a walk-around look at things that might fail betwen now and when I get back.

-- I inspect tires and verify pressures. If there are tires that are marginal on tread, now's a good time to invest in replacements. Starnded on the road in a strange place leaves you less negotiating room, plus it will spoil your day.

-- I verify stuff in the engine bay. A quick thumb test on belt tension is good, a look for leaks, and verify underhood fluid levels. That's oil, coolant, power steering and brake fluids. Inspect hoses too.

-- I do a quick mirror inspection of brake pad thickness. If any are marginal, they all get renewed.

-- CV joint boots get a look and a squeeze, inspecting for tears or cracks/slits that will turn into tears.

-- Check ATF level. Engine running and up to temp after a drive is best. On level ground with gearbox in Park position and brake set, a flashlight and a mirror let you ee the fluid level in the reservoir. Take a quick look before you start out on your warm-up lap so that the reservoir is clean when you inspect later. Easier to wipe the reservoir and identify the marks when everything is cold.

-- If there are any normal services that will come due during your trip, take care of them before you leave.

--Clean all the glass inside and out before you leave.

-- Replace the wiper blades now, and give the glass a dose of Rain-X before leaving. **Follow the directions on the Rain-X**

-- Install your V-1 before you leave, but hide it away as you pass through Va.

-- Upgrade your AAA membership to include extended towing, before you leave.

-- Join the OC if you haven't already, for the help roster.

-- Share in advance what your route and schedule will be. You'll have the opportunity to visit with other enthusiasts along the way. Might be a quick shared visit while your lunch is served somewhere, might be a brew shared after a day at the wheel, might be needed garage time with someone who can help you along the way.

-- Make extra-sure you have the AC working well before you leave. Cool is not in the cards right now for your route, and never will be in Florida.


I keep a small cooler in the car with drinks and snacks. A few energy drinks will help on long driving days. Snack bars in there too. There's an umbrella in the car at all times even though it never rains where I live. The trip to DFW last summer verified its value. Apparently rain on the 928 has not been outlawed there yet. I keep a miniml toolkit in the car, mostly cleaning supplies. There's one of those cute little pocket socket sets, wrenches and screwdrivers. Plus the factory tools of course. Anything bigger is probably more than I have in mind on the road, so I'll be calling friends from this list and the roadhelp list if I need a bigger hammer. Wire-ties and black cloth tape are always along too. A couple quarts of my favorite oil have been in there a long time.

polecat702

I think Dr Bob covered it all except I always have my favorite firearm, when I take an extended trip. You never know anymore. But thats up to you.

mickster

Might as well go to Wal-Mart and grab a 5 quart Motor Oil and other fluids and some shop towels just in case...

fraggle

be warned from someone who knows, check out the state laws on carrying either open or concealed in EVERY STATE you're going to pass through if you plan on a sidearm. And stay out of DC!!

I also tend to take an ibuprofen in the morning before I start, and wear a set of foam ear plugs. If you feel it's too quiet, cut them down a bit, but be sure they help cut out all the wind and tire noise and you'll feel better at the end of a long day.

And you should start on Friday so you can meet us for Frenzy this weekend.

S4ordie

dr Bob and Fraggle make good suggestions. I would add common fuse (10/15/20/30amp) and relay (51) spares to the toolkit. Some small jumper wires to by pass things like faulty fuel pumps and a good multi meter.

Iwanna928

The car was made for the highway! Don't be scared, good tires, WP taken care of, time to stretch her legs and give her a good run!

It always seems funny, how like yourself I will be concerned with how my car will run on a 1000 mile trip yet I drive it all day long in hot temps in stop and go traffic.

She must think I am crazy with my concerns.

ammonman

I made a 1800 mile round trip this summer in mine. The only failures were a recirc flap HVAC pod and the rear fuel pressure damper. The car is my daily driver and had never given any problems with the usual hard starting symptoms of a bad FPR/FPD when driven around town. But by the end of the first +90F day it started to go. (Thanks again to Mr. Merlin for the road trip assistance.) If you haven't checked/replaced them yet I would pull the vac lines off each and see if there is any evidence of fuel in the vac lines. If you have a hand vac pump check each one and see if they hold vacuum. If one is bad I would replace all of them as the others can't be far behind.

Have a great trip.

Mike

Dean_Fuller

Why not plot your trip HERE and that way you will know if there is a Rennlist member along the way.
I would just double check radiator hoses. Carry a few tools, fuses, relays. hose clamps, duck tape, bottle of water....don't be afraid it will be fine and have fun. If your uneasy just don't push it. I'm in Northwest Mississippi if I'm along your route and can be of any help.

polecat702

My wife and I took a 2100 mile trip in our 87 S4 this summer. Not one problem! These cars love to run, and the more you run them, the better they run. Just follow everyone's suggestions and you'll be fine.
Have a great trip, AND POST SOME PICTURES.

jeff spahn

I like to wear my Bose noise cancelling headphones when I drive. Plug it into my phone and play music and be able to answer the phone handsfree. (no mic in headset but it works just fine anyway) Having the highway noise not be there makes all the difference in the world.

When I went down to the DFW tech session after Memorial Day this year and took a styrofoam cooler of steaks and chops to those guys I would have been insane if I hadn't had the headphones. Can you imagine a 900 mile trip with a squeaky cooler behind your head?

linderpat

I second the stuff everyone is suggesting. Don't over do it on supplies however. I've driven 2 cross country east to west - from pittsburgh to bozeman (1900 miles) and from NOVA to bozeman (2100 miles). I did have a hiccup on my second trip wioth the Bleumax (described here: https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...-dakota-2.html) but it turned out to be simple loose connection. These cars are made for the road. No fatigue whatsoever after those trips, and I did each one in 2 days only, with very little down time to rest/eat/ etc.

FREAKINHEAT

Take the auto train down if you wanna ease your worries. I think there is a pick up point in VA that takes you down to FL.

Fogey1

If you cannot take a cross-country trip in a Porsche, particularly a 928, what's the use of having one?

ww

dr bob

Dan's suggestions on spare fuses, a couple sper relays, and a diagnostic jumper are great. But... Those travel in the car all the time, along with a few spare bulbs and stuff. I have a cheap ($1.99 on sale) H-F multimeter that had a dead battery after sitting in the car unused for five-plus years. I had to use another meter to diagnose the dead battery in the cheap one...

Go drive it and enjoy it. It's -almost- what it was designed to do. Speed limits spoil the execution I'm afraid, but you'll still have a ton of fun.


For those who recommend earphones or earplugs, check your local laws. One earpiece is barely legal here in Cali. Two ears is a no-no for sure, and earplug will get you ar argument and an attitude check.

If you car is too loud to enjoy on an extended tour, it's probably too loud. I cherish the quiet, the lack of attention-grabbing noise, the fact that I'm not broadcasting throttle position and engine load to all within a large radius. My quiet car is faster from point to point.