Don Carter

At the tax office now trying to transfer title. They want me to emissions test a non running car :-).

tmpusfugit

We only hire ex NASA rocket scientists and former brain surgeons to work at the DMV......what are the emissions levels allowed on an in-op? (What they will do is title it as in-op, no emmissions, and then you will have to retitle it when running, will cost you another $33 to do that) I went through that on my last 2 928's

Mongo

Tell them to smog your fart because the car is not functioning for them to do it.

Don Carter

Jim, did your cars come from non testing counties? Do you live in Harris county? If yes/yes, would love to know the process you went through. 4 hours so far and no luck.

White Lightnin'

Don, this link shows that you are purchasing a 'kit' of 4 wheels. It also states in the wheel description: "Chrome, Brushed or custom painted finishes available at extra charge."

So, the base price for a painted wheel set was $2,995.00, with chromed versions as extra money (unless the PO had them chromed elsewhere -may explain the defects). By choosing '4' -you were pricing out 4 sets (16 wheels).

19" wheels shouldn't be any harsher of a ride versus 18"... they will still be a lower sidewall than the stock tires & many 928 owners have 19's without complaint. Once the car is running, try them out -you may be surprised!

tmpusfugit

I am in Montgomery County and we have the same tests as does Harris County. For an in-op vehicle there is no test, the title will say in-op (I still have a 356 in that classification now) and when you do get it running you will then get the safety inspection, get a verification of vehicle serial number from the inspection station, go back to the DMV and get a clean title ($33 more)

And no, the last 2 had LA titles....the 3rd one did have a Harris County title and expired plates

Don Carter

Thanks Jim. Maybe Montgomery County has more logical procedures for this situation. I am giving up for today, but am waiting for a call to be returned from TX-DOT who appearantly sets the rules.

Got to thinking about something late last night...notice in the dash picture the fuel gauge is on E, and we did see some evidence of a gas tank leak? What if it's just out of gas? Maybe still with TBF, but at least I'd be able to move it around if it would run. Going to go out and put some gas in it now.

pcar928fan

Jim, is correct...I was even able to title my RACE CAR that way!

tmpusfugit

It sounds to me like you need to go to a different DMV and try again, unless they kept any of your paperwork or entered it all into the computer. If they did, you may well be the victim of gross incompetence and are permanently and totally screwed…you then need to sell me the car for a dollar more than you paid and I will run off with it never to be seen again…. On a more serious note, I have found a second trip to a different DMV useful more than once. And my approach is usually “I need some help, can you assist me please?” Since it may be in the computer already, whatever was done or not done, I would be careful to keep the story the same…..I ended up with a third person finally on the titling of Noisy 1, the red car….changed DMV’s once, and did an “oh darn, I left that in the car” then got back in line after lunch and got someone whose IQ was larger than their shoe size, who cut through the BS and did it right, in about 5 minutes…. TXDOT does not know or understand or interpret their own rules the same from person to person, or minute to minute….some nice folks there, and some real dingbats….more dingbats than I like. Don, just keep in mind you are not trying to get by with anything, there are literally thousands of in-ops that change hands every year…you are just trying to pay them their sales tax and begone from their presence…they have a published process to do this, they do it all the time….

and the add gas and test makes good sense to me...I would still try a dipstick sample of oil on dark paper and look for aluminum flakes before absolutely concluding this to be TBF.....just me thinkin' out loud....

Don Carter

Jon, thanks I'll check that out on the hatch motor.

Barry, missed that, you're right, 3k for the set.

I hope I finally found someone at TX-dot that can straighten things out, he's the same guy that told the Tax office by phone it couldn't be done without emissions, twice, but appearantly he's had a change of heart, or found some new info, or something. We'll see if it pans out.

I think the car was out of gas, cranked on it some, then took off the fuel rail port cap and ball, and there was no squirt of fuel, just a few drops. I put some gas in, but the battery seems low, and it does sound pretty horrible cranking, so I don't gas is going to make much difference. I'm charging the battery now. No leak from the tank.

Just called the shop that worked on it for years, and the mechanic that worked on it won't be back till Monday, but they said no problem discussing the car and the final diagnosis.

I put some oil from the dip stick on a white paper towel and cannot see any metal flakes. Tried again to move the flywheel forward and back with a 2' screwdriver and it doesn't budge.

I'll try cranking it again with a full battery, then install the engine support I made a couple of years ago for my motor mount job, and start taking off the rack, cross member, etc... to get the pan off and have a looksy.

John Speake

I think it's recommended you drip the oil onto black card so the bright metal particles, if present ,show up better than on a white background.

Don Carter

Tried the oil on black paper, can't see any particles.

John Speake

Fingers crossed then !

tmpusfugit

Don,

You may be a lucky fellow if not TBF. No minute flakes of aluminum on a dark paper suggests maybe not TBF.

One thought comes to mind, after you charge the battery....the starter itself from the invoice you have was "used replacement starter". The starter itself maybe a problem...if it is dragging the armature it will eat all sorts of power and produce little...bad brushes usually fail differently, but I am just sayin'.......you might want to buy a lottery ticket too......I do have a fresh starter if you want to give it a try....

Hilton

Interesting - especially with the no-particles on the black card.

Its possible metal particles have dropped out of suspension to the bottom of the oil pan - I'd try to get it running first, then try the card test again once the engine's warmed up. If still clean, do the sump gasket and engine mounts, and inspect the thrust bearing with the pan off, just to make sure. Sure its a bit of a pain on the labor side, but if its good you're still improving the car, and if its bad you've saved yourself more headache

You may yet be lucky.