87 S4 - the saga begins
10-12-2010, 02:36 AM
#1
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87 S4 - the saga begins
OK folks,
I bought a 1987 S4 a couple of weeks back. It is in apparently very nice condition, cosmetically beautiful, with 92,000 miles. Its main problem was neglect, as it was kept in basically a time capsule by a local car collector for the past 5 years, only driven 2500 miles in that time, and not maintained.
A PPI checked out fairly clean at the local Porsche specialist, however, timing belt and A/C clearly needed to be dealt with.
I thought I would give some updates as things went on, to give those interested a look at how much this car can end up costing you. I should mention, I am not a mechanic, so I pay retail shop prices for everything.
The car is in the middle of everything at the shop; today I learned that the timing belt work was done, which included replacing the ancient water pump which had corroded its bolts. While working on this, some leaking was noticed from both valve covers (enough to drip oil down the block), so we have decided it is a good idea to replace both valve cover gaskets.
The total bill for this work will be around $2,500, I'm told.
There will be more to come in the next few days, given that the A/C has low pressure and it has a high idle when warm.
Incidentally, the shop also informed me that my timing belt had been on for so many years that it was completely stretched out and ready to slip. They say I dodged a bullet. When I asked why I had not seen the timing belt tension alarm, they said that it was not hooked up properly! So buyers beware, you could easily lose the engine in your new S4 on the way home.
I bought a 1987 S4 a couple of weeks back. It is in apparently very nice condition, cosmetically beautiful, with 92,000 miles. Its main problem was neglect, as it was kept in basically a time capsule by a local car collector for the past 5 years, only driven 2500 miles in that time, and not maintained.
A PPI checked out fairly clean at the local Porsche specialist, however, timing belt and A/C clearly needed to be dealt with.
I thought I would give some updates as things went on, to give those interested a look at how much this car can end up costing you. I should mention, I am not a mechanic, so I pay retail shop prices for everything.
The car is in the middle of everything at the shop; today I learned that the timing belt work was done, which included replacing the ancient water pump which had corroded its bolts. While working on this, some leaking was noticed from both valve covers (enough to drip oil down the block), so we have decided it is a good idea to replace both valve cover gaskets.
The total bill for this work will be around $2,500, I'm told.
There will be more to come in the next few days, given that the A/C has low pressure and it has a high idle when warm.
Incidentally, the shop also informed me that my timing belt had been on for so many years that it was completely stretched out and ready to slip. They say I dodged a bullet. When I asked why I had not seen the timing belt tension alarm, they said that it was not hooked up properly! So buyers beware, you could easily lose the engine in your new S4 on the way home.
10-12-2010, 02:53 AM
#2
Vegas, Baby!
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
I paid 8 grand for my 87 S4 2 years ago. It had some issues, but thats to be expected. If your happy with the car and price you paid for it then its no big deal. I do the work on my car because of the wealth of knowledge on this forum.
BTW, Join Rennlist, and the owners club, it will be money well spent. How about some pictures of your shark?
BTW, Join Rennlist, and the owners club, it will be money well spent. How about some pictures of your shark?
Last edited by polecat702; 10-12-2010 at 02:53 AM. Reason: typo
10-12-2010, 05:36 PM
#4
Rennlist Member
Well, you get some access to member classifieds and the sanctioning to advertise parts you need or have for sale.
Access to some webpage/gallery type space.
And you are funding the continuation of relatively commercial-free access to what is a most extensive and interesting and thorough archive of technical information for not just the 928, but the other Porsches + Beemers too. The cost is nil. Its possible to get value by just reading, but I prefer to contribute with the hope that the fee will fund the archive and discussions so they will live-on uninterupted, maybe with improvements to technology as time goes on.
My wife spent some time on here one day, realized the value (she has a needy 928), and bought me a 2 year membership!
There are free boards, too, but the content isn't there.
I'm also a paid member to a Jeep forum. There, the 'user' experience is throttled-down further for non-members, no avatars, limited visibility to member pictures, no picture posting, etc.
Access to some webpage/gallery type space.
And you are funding the continuation of relatively commercial-free access to what is a most extensive and interesting and thorough archive of technical information for not just the 928, but the other Porsches + Beemers too. The cost is nil. Its possible to get value by just reading, but I prefer to contribute with the hope that the fee will fund the archive and discussions so they will live-on uninterupted, maybe with improvements to technology as time goes on.
My wife spent some time on here one day, realized the value (she has a needy 928), and bought me a 2 year membership!
There are free boards, too, but the content isn't there.
I'm also a paid member to a Jeep forum. There, the 'user' experience is throttled-down further for non-members, no avatars, limited visibility to member pictures, no picture posting, etc.
10-12-2010, 07:39 PM
#5
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So for me, there is no reason to pay beyond that warm fuzzy feeling I'll get. Since I don't actually work on cars, I don't need quite as much specific information as some folks around here, and I already have plenty of web space. I'll see how much use I get out of it in the next while and decide after that if it is worth actual money.
10-12-2010, 07:39 PM
#6
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The wealth of knowledge which is stored and graciously shared on this site has cost me about 10 cents for every hour it has saved me from busting my knuckles and swearing like a sailor while I figured this all out for myself.
Plus the incorrect parts/tools I would have bought.
Plus the entertainment in the off topic area.
Plus some people's posts make good toilet paper if you print them out.
Plus the incorrect parts/tools I would have bought.
Plus the entertainment in the off topic area.
Plus some people's posts make good toilet paper if you print them out.
10-12-2010, 07:43 PM
#7
Rennlist Member
So for me, there is no reason to pay beyond that warm fuzzy feeling I'll get. Since I don't actually work on cars, I don't need quite as much specific information as some folks around here, and I already have plenty of web space. I'll see how much use I get out of it in the next while and decide after that if it is worth actual money.
Trending Topics
10-12-2010, 07:57 PM
#8
Rest in Peace
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Location: Bird lover in Sharpsburg
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I will give you a example of why being a paying member is a good idea.
Make sure they replace the round plastic oil restrictors at the rear of the cam journals when they do the cam covers with the updated metal "Pins".
Many here will not be as quick to offer help to a non member as they will a member.
That one bit of advise can save you a lot of money down the road.
There are many others like this one.
If this is a automatic there is the matter of the thrust bearing that is CRITICAL on these cars, did the dealership check this?
Things you need to know even if you do not work on your car or not.
Make sure they replace the round plastic oil restrictors at the rear of the cam journals when they do the cam covers with the updated metal "Pins".
Many here will not be as quick to offer help to a non member as they will a member.
That one bit of advise can save you a lot of money down the road.
There are many others like this one.
If this is a automatic there is the matter of the thrust bearing that is CRITICAL on these cars, did the dealership check this?
Things you need to know even if you do not work on your car or not.
10-12-2010, 08:06 PM
#9
Rest in Peace
Rennlist Member
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Join Date: May 2006
Location: Bird lover in Sharpsburg
Posts: 9,903
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2 Posts
The wealth of knowledge which is stored and graciously shared on this site has cost me about 10 cents for every hour it has saved me from busting my knuckles and swearing like a sailor while I figured this all out for myself.
Plus the incorrect parts/tools I would have bought.
Plus the entertainment in the off topic area.
Plus some people's posts make good toilet paper if you print them out.
Plus the incorrect parts/tools I would have bought.
Plus the entertainment in the off topic area.
Plus some people's posts make good toilet paper if you print them out.
This place can be full of funny also, just look where this thread is headed.
10-12-2010, 08:22 PM
#10
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
So for me, there is no reason to pay beyond that warm fuzzy feeling I'll get. Since I don't actually work on cars, I don't need quite as much specific information as some folks around here, and I already have plenty of web space. I'll see how much use I get out of it in the next while and decide after that if it is worth actual money.
1. I've purchased a no longer available booster seat that actually fits in the back of a 928 from another member for 1/2 the price of a poor condition seat on ebay. That alone paid for two years of membership.
2. Another member offered me a new in box digital SLR at well below retail prices when I posted on the off topic forum asking for camera recommendations. We've been using the camera for 8 months now and absolutely love it. I wouldn't have spent the full price on the camera and would have opted for a lesser camera.
3. When applying for a refinance on our home one of the guys pmed me and told me something I never knew regarding rates. It saved me $1750 on my loan.
Good luck with the S4, looks like you're already well on your way to making it a nice example. While its at the mechanics it might be a good idea to check vacuum lines and check for leaks.
As much as the OT Forum can be ridiculous it still can be a very helpful tool.
These are really only a small handful of examples, I can list tons more but I think you get the point.
10-13-2010, 01:22 AM
#11
Well I purchased my S4 for abt 4k earlier this year and have now spent over 10k making it a daily drive I can trust (you do not want to stuck in the desert when it is above 48c), so the cost of membership is nothing compared to the cost getting the car up to a state where I feel comfortable.
From this site I have learnt lots of information that has allowed me to discuss issues with my wrench guy and also check whether he has done the work correctly, I have also saved myself time and grief reading through the posts.
An example being the AC relay fix which fixed my AC when I had previous been told they would have to replace most of the system to get it working.
Out of interest these are the jobs I have done either myself with help from this site or by my wrench guys.
1) Timing Belt
2) New Porsche Water Pump
3) Rebuilt Steering rack
4) Rebuilt Steering Pump
5) Intake refresh including replacement idle valve, knock sensors etc
6) Renew Fuel Hoses with S/S braided and Roger's U bend.
7) Flex Plate Check and Release.
8) Fuel Pressure Gauge
9) Complete Fluid Change
10) Clean C/E panel and replace all fuses / some relays.
11) New Filters
12) Fixed A/C Relay
13) New A/C hoses and pressure switch
14) New Vacuum Hoses
15) Restored leather and steering wheel
16) Respray Hood and Roof
17) Hood Struts
18) Restore rear Luggage Cover
19) Fix rotten rear light fixing
20) Fixed various interior trim pieces
21) New Head Unit
22) Clean ground points
23) Renew Motor Mounts
My car still has some issues but with the help from people on this site I'm getting there, so yes the membership is worth it because without this site it would have cost me a lot more than 10k to get the car up and running. Thanks guys and to the OP good luck with the S4.
From this site I have learnt lots of information that has allowed me to discuss issues with my wrench guy and also check whether he has done the work correctly, I have also saved myself time and grief reading through the posts.
An example being the AC relay fix which fixed my AC when I had previous been told they would have to replace most of the system to get it working.
Out of interest these are the jobs I have done either myself with help from this site or by my wrench guys.
1) Timing Belt
2) New Porsche Water Pump
3) Rebuilt Steering rack
4) Rebuilt Steering Pump
5) Intake refresh including replacement idle valve, knock sensors etc
6) Renew Fuel Hoses with S/S braided and Roger's U bend.
7) Flex Plate Check and Release.
8) Fuel Pressure Gauge
9) Complete Fluid Change
10) Clean C/E panel and replace all fuses / some relays.
11) New Filters
12) Fixed A/C Relay
13) New A/C hoses and pressure switch
14) New Vacuum Hoses
15) Restored leather and steering wheel
16) Respray Hood and Roof
17) Hood Struts
18) Restore rear Luggage Cover
19) Fix rotten rear light fixing
20) Fixed various interior trim pieces
21) New Head Unit
22) Clean ground points
23) Renew Motor Mounts
My car still has some issues but with the help from people on this site I'm getting there, so yes the membership is worth it because without this site it would have cost me a lot more than 10k to get the car up and running. Thanks guys and to the OP good luck with the S4.
10-13-2010, 01:37 AM
#12
Burning Brakes
Just like contributing when you go to a potluck. The site needs money to run and most of the labors are volunteered. I have seen too many people just take from others and never contribute anything back. It is really not about what you get back with the lousy few dollars of membership. It is the right thing to do.
Steve
Steve
10-13-2010, 04:01 AM
#14
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Fresno, CA (summer in Calgary)
Posts: 1,376
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
I will give you a example of why being a paying member is a good idea.
Make sure they replace the round plastic oil restrictors at the rear of the cam journals when they do the cam covers with the updated metal "Pins".
Many here will not be as quick to offer help to a non member as they will a member.
That one bit of advise can save you a lot of money down the road.
There are many others like this one.
If this is a automatic there is the matter of the thrust bearing that is CRITICAL on these cars, did the dealership check this?
Things you need to know even if you do not work on your car or not.
Make sure they replace the round plastic oil restrictors at the rear of the cam journals when they do the cam covers with the updated metal "Pins".
Many here will not be as quick to offer help to a non member as they will a member.
That one bit of advise can save you a lot of money down the road.
There are many others like this one.
If this is a automatic there is the matter of the thrust bearing that is CRITICAL on these cars, did the dealership check this?
Things you need to know even if you do not work on your car or not.
While I don't work on my car beyond simple cosmetics (I installed a rear wiper motor on my 944 once, that was huge for me), I am very interested in mechanical details and I don't just want to blindly trust my mechanic.
The peer pressure is starting to get to me, I'm about to click that button to become a member.
On the other hand, what kind of sucker brings food to a potluck ??
-Sean
