Danieldd

I wish I could tell you that I'm just lovin driving my 928 around town and how all the women stop and stare at me and my new car, but alas.. this is not that type of thread... sorry.

Rather, its been up on jackstands in the garage for the past 2 months. I bought it rather cheap (see the thread "My Impulse Buy") and while it ran, I had it towed home and took to heart all the suggestions made on this forum in an attempt to render the vehicle safe first.

I can't begin to tell you how pissed off I am at the shoddy workmanship that was performed by past mechanics on this vehicle. I have found, to my dismay, many instances of subpar work -

Talking with the PO that owned it for the past 13 years, he indicated that the timing belt broke in 97 and bent some valves and he had the clutch changed in 2010. Besides these two events, he had routine maintenance done by some local hacks. I don't think anything was done by a certified Porsche dealer.

Allow me to articulate some of the things I have found:

During the teardown for the timing belt/water pump job I have found that the engine lift point on the passenger side is missing. That is the clue they worked on that side of the cylinder head - must have been where the bent valves occurred. While they were there, they busted the hall effect sensor. When I pulled the cam gears, the hall sensor was literally hanging on by only ONE screw and the sensor itself is cracked. I don't think it ever worked after they pulled the head.

While putting in the flywheel lock, I noticed someone put on steel braided brake lines. I'm okay with that - but look at how they attached them. And they did it to ALL four corners!



When I dropped the exhaust, I found that all but one of the rubber isolation bumpers were missing. The whole exhaust was held up by just one rubber bumper! Apparently when they changed the clutch and dropped the exhaust, they didn't bother to address this. It is now fixed.

Front ball shift coupler bushing was GONE entirely. Rear shift coupler had zero bushing material left. It disintegrated into the boot. How they shifted this thing is beyond me. It is now fixed.

Someone broke the forward part of the shifter console so that the shifter boot won't stay in place. I have since ordered a replacement console.

Once the timing belt and water pump (+ cam gears, oil pump gear, crank gear, etc) is done and I know it runs again - I'll shut it down and pull the intake and fuel lines and get that portion of the car right.

Then I can address the brake line issues and oh, while I was changing out the fuel filter today, I noticed the rear outer CV boots were ripped.

I really like this car, even though I've yet to drive it. All I can really do is sit in it and wonder how fun it is going to be once I can get it road worthy. I understood what I was getting into to and don't regret it, but it really pains me to see such shoddy mechanical work done to this caliber of car. This is why I do all my own work. Thank the Lord that I have the ability to do this type of fun stuff.

In the meantime, if you live anywhere in north Alabama, would you mind coming by and giving me a ride in your 928 so I know what I can look forward to?

Jadz928

Clever use of a zip-tie.

Stay strong, man!

Mrmerlin

Just know this once she is up and running your gonna find a few more issues to repair,
but this is really how to take on a 928,
fix every mechanical system then put it to work

nc_growler

You are definitely taking the right approach... Inspecting all the mechanicals with a discerning eye... And great patience. She'll reward you in the end!

Danieldd

Agreed. Got to make it safe, reliable, and road worthy first. Would love to do some cosmetics and nice wheels, but those things simply have to wait, for now.

Jadz928

Make sure you throw youself a bone from time to time, for all the hard work you are doing. Keep it fun!

Hilton

Sounds like you're getting stuck in. Your list of work to-do is pretty much my standard routine now (third time around with 5-speed S4). TBWP, intake, shifter linkages, HVAC/vacuum system, and engine mounts/pan gasket is all "normal"

I didn't realise how lucky I was with my first 928 purchase - all original and untouched, despite high mileage. My latest (an 87) had a factory warranty replacement block.. I'm not sure whether the install was done by an independent or a Porsche dealership (no receipt for that particular job), but it was done in a hurry and badly. I've found mis-routed harnesses, wrong bolts in wrong spots, missing a few brackets and clamps, and unnecessary sealants all over the place, which has made cleaning up a bear (like the water pump gasket).

On the bright side, once you've done your list (may want to add transmission mounts, and dropping the fuel tank for a clean, replacing the sender and bottom gasket, and checking/replacing breather hoses), you'll have a very nicely driving 928

ammonman

Hang in there. It will be worth while once it is road ready. Something you should consider is getting a big bag o'fasteners from Nine Apart. They are a Porsche recycler up in Canada. When they break a car down all the miscellaneous fasteners, clips, bracket, etc. get chucked in a box. They bag it all up and sell for cheap (like 40lb for $40 or some such. Having a ready supply of spare fasteners has been invaluable as I clean up past "repairs" where the original fasteners were lost or just plain not put back in.

Mike

ashmason

One thing I am finding that is definitely a double edged sword with these cars is it will run even with a whole bunch of deferred maintenance, I am almost up to $10k into mine since I picked it up in April and other than a steering rack, new engine mounts and new shocks, the rest has gone on getting small things put right like door arrest fixes, lock repair, new key, interior lighting fixes and ride height correction. I ended up spending $1000 just on replacing the missing belly pan and front spoiler, sheesh.

My console was also broken, the leather had shriveled and shrunk on the shift **** which I think caused the damage, how hard would it have been for the PO to replace the boot? I had Paul Champagne do it for me and it was less than $100, then I fabbed up a piece of aluminium, painted it black and glued it in to the broken spot, not perfect but barely noticeable. So anyway just wanted to warn you, if yours is a stick, change the gear shift boot also. I stuck in a Lizard shift kit while I was at it, best (and only) mod so far.

But don't even get me started on the other minor faults and issues that I have had to fix to bring it back to scratch. Almost there though, Just needs some big ticket items now, new wheels, top end refresh and front seats redone. Oh and the rear hatch lock doesn't match the key, don't ask I don't know. But then it will be time to start with fun improvements like maybe the carputer, fresh floor mats, dash recovering and LED upgrades etc.

Keep the faith, it will all be worth while once you start driving it, and I am getting a kick out of restoring it so its been worth it for me.

It sure feels good vent to fellow owners who understand once in a while too

SMTCapeCod

Amazing how, when I see what some S3s and S4s are selling for, I feel badly about what I paid for my 86.5...then I come across some of the grinders that other folks are going through to take care of details, and I feel OK again. Not great, but OK!

Sure is a beautiful car from that tiny pic in the avatar..I may have to see if i can scare up a 'look what I bought' thread from you for some better imagery!

Edit- found it, I remember that one!

inactiveuser1

With 928's its either buy something for more money that has already had alot replaced or buy something for less that needs work.
It's pay me now or pay me later.

blown 87

I paid $400 for mine, so I feel your pain.
I spent over three years on mine before I really started driving it, but I have had almost 50,000 miles of fun driving since then.
Of course there have been things I have had to replace during that time, but none of the "broke down on the side of the road type ones".
Just go over the car, start at one end, finish at the other, replace everything that may give you a problem inbetween, then drive with confidence for a while.

I live near Atlanta, where in AL are you at?

Danieldd

That is pretty much what I'm doing - going over the car, front to back and everything else I see, and boy, I sure see alot of neglect. Interestingly enough, the PO raved about the car, that it was reliable for them for the 13 years they had it. I have no reason to doubt him, he's a retired pastor and military man. I believe he was one of those that had the car fixed when it broke rather than keeping on top of the maintenance. I guess that is where I come in because I'll make it right. I've got time and I have my wife's blessing to spend the money when needed. Fortunately, this is not my daily driver.

I'm in Huntsville, probably not close enough for us to meet and have that Sunday drive, nevertheless - good to know there is someone nearby!

jbrob007

Same here about the lower prices... These cars SEEM to be getting cheaper by the day and it has me 2nd guessing why I paid as much as I did for my 86.5... Then I realized it IS an 86.5 (the cats meow of the OB style) and has a couple of options like the 5 speed with LSD, all leather two tone interior which is almost flawless & 18" RH wheels ... then I remember I've put 18,000 miles on it since January and I realize the EXTRA cash I spent was $$ well, well, well, WELL spent

Thank God cause I can turn a wrench but I heve neither the knowledge nor experience to do what a lot of you guys are doing - my hat's off to you guys!!!

deptotpr

Your just "Living the Dream," that's all........