88MB928

Wow - thanks so much for all the feedback and guidance! Sorry for the delayed reaction but I had not been able to focus on the car because I've been practically working round the clock past couple weeks.

I have yet to hear back from the mechanic-who said he'd be calling me with prices for parts and info re condition of my suspension etc. I just called the shop and was unable to get a hold of him (surprise surprise) so I told the receptionist I was calling to let him know that I am picking up the car on Friday no matter what, so if I decide to do any of the repairs he suggested it would have to be at a later date.

First things first, I will immediately put in an order for a set of Jim Morehouse's CDs as Wally suggested. In the meantime, I will start reading through the links Fogey was kind enough to provide. I believe I should have most of the basic tools since I had to acquire them to work on the Benz. I also bought an impact driver which was the only way I was able to get some of the old rusty seized bolts off the Benz-any other tools I should get to make up for my lack of strength (lol)? Do you recommend a jack and stands? I have only used ramps so far because they seemed safer but not sure if that will suffice.

Everyone else, thanks so much for your input, I will use it wisely - I've printed a copy of this thread and made notes so I'm prepared when I speak to the mechanic. As soon as I hear back from him (hopefully tomorrow) I will post back and keep everyone updated. If all goes as planned I should have my car back on Friday and then the real fun will begin.

I must say I do feel more confident hearing from you guys that you believe I might be able to handle some of the repairs. It all seems very intimidating from a newb's standpoint so your encouragement is priceless. I guess we all have to start somewhere though.

Hilton

Someone else provided this link earlier in the thread - but it was buried in a few other links.

Specifically, go check out Dwayne's write-ups:

http://www.dwaynesgarage.norcal928.org/

Should help a lot with the confidence - most work on a 928 is very DIY friendly.

Good luck!

fraggle

Good luck! I like ramps but my car is too low for the set I've got.

Impact wrenches are worth whatever youy pay for them even if they only work once!

WallyP

You do a good job of telling us what is going on - keep on giving precise symptoms, and you will get all the help that you can stand...

soontobered84

Miami can't be that far from Georgia. Get that car to Greg (Blown 87) He'll treat you and your car right.

Dean_Fuller

Well I am late to the game here. Sorry to hear you are having trouble.

After reading your experience before the car would not start I see nothing your mechanic suggested that would cause a slow dragging crank. Relays work or they don't. Radiators leak or they don't.

Has the PO chimed in on if the flex plate was kept up with? Was the timing belt changed recently?

You mentioned a lack of compression. Do you know which cylinders? Was the compression "0" ?

Sorry if these are questions that have already been addressed.

Hang in there.

Fogey1

Ramps are too low for me, but in your avatar you appear to be less corpulent than I (not a hard thing to accomplish)

These are great, though I don't know if Ken has any in stock right now. Maybe one of the vendors or a member local to you.
http://liftbars.com/
Oops, I just noticed the "Made to Order" note at the bottom of the page.

And Harbor Freight is offering six-ton jackstands at approx $40, I think.

Will Hunt

88MB928

So I finally picked up my car from the mechanic today and just wanted to post a quick update. I went over the issues with him again and clarified things and looks like I had misunderstood a lot of what he'd said. For one, turns out I misunderstood about the relays - it was not 3 relays that went bad at once, the only relay that failed was the EZK relay - he mentioned the others while trying to explain to me which relays are mainly associated with engine start and troubleshooting a no-start condition.

Seems during our last phone conversation what he was doing was giving me a rushed overview of how the LH Jetronic system works and how he troubleshoots it and the information overload led me to confuse some of that info with the issues he actually found my car had.

So basically the root of the no start was the EZK relay failure. Here is what his bill states regarding the "no start" check/service:

"Car won't start - Charge battery, Perform Compression Test & Found No Spark, Weak Starter. Replace Battery Ground, Clean Plugs, Clean All Grounds, Clean Up Connection at Starter, R&R/Clean up Fuse Panel and Connection at Control Units & Flywheel Sensor, Oil Up Cyl, Replace Fuse for Lh Ctrl Unit, Replace relay"

In addition, he also did "oil change service" and "release pressure at torque tube" - he mentioned it popped back a good 4mm upon release (yikes!).

As for the laundry list of issues he had given me over the phone, he explained he went over those with me because during our initial conversation (in February) I expressed dissatisfaction with my previous mechanic and concern over the car's condition and asked him to do a general inspection looking it over for any issues. So he was not telling me these repairs had to be done (now or by him) but simply listing what he found in the inspection I'd requested so that I can anticipate future maintenance/repairs.

I do feel relieved after speaking with him and it was pretty clear that a lot of the confusion came from my lack of understanding and his attempt to explain things I had no idea about. I think he is a competent mechanic and knows these cars, I just have to educate myself so that I can understand him! (lol) He worked for Porsche for many years before opening his own shop, was very familiar with 928 specific issues, and was not aggressive or pushing for any more work - on the contrary its clear he's got his hands full. His shop was overflowing with Porsche's today including a handful of 928s. Regardless, I am going to try my hand at doing some DYI and, more importantly, start learning more about the way the car works so I only have to rely on him (or any mechanic) for major repairs.

Anyhow, for all other newbies out there, one very important (and expensive) lesson I learned from all this is...check those relays and clean those grounds! Despite the number of posts I'd come across emphasizing the the importance of these procedures, when my car died I automatically assumed it must be due to some catastrophic problem (like TBF), never occurred to me to start with the basics. I'm sure I could have saved a good deal of money and time away from my car had I heeded the warning of all the wise folks on here.

Thanks again to everyone for your time and help...you really are a great bunch

karl ruiter

So, how is the car now? Running and driving OK, I hope.

Nicole

Thats good news, Mirlene! And the reason I felt one of us should have talked to your mechanic. Much of this could have been straightened out sooner.

Either way, I'm happy to hear you are back in the shark!

docmirror

OK, so I went back over the laundry list, and here's where you go.

1 PKclamp on the driveshaft collar right now!

2 Cooling system needs to be right on these cars to prevent issues. If you have a slow leak in the rad, get it out, send it to the shop and reinstall.

3 Have your AC system tested, leak checked, fixed, charged and get the relay mod on the control head.

4 PS hose can be replaced when the rad is out.

glad you're getting there, keep us informed with a new thread.