I'm in the process of buying a low mileage '91 928S4. I intend to fit a PKlamp, do a full fluids service, have the timing belt (PK Tensioner) and all front seals done. The car was PPIed at the RennShop, but Marvin is too busy for me to reasonably book it there.

Are there any shops in the area with PKlamp and PK tensioner experience? Failing that, just good 928 shops? I'm in Los Altos - closer is better, but I don't want it at the expense of a good job.

Thanks,

Roger

 

I'm not sure any shop in the area has done a PKlamp or PKtensioner. Some mechanics might shy away from aftermarket parts like the PKtensioner. Still, worth checking. Closest shop with lots of 928 experience would be Bauer in Oakland. A bit further away but excellent for 928s is High Tech in San Rafael.

 

CT Automotive in Campbell used to work on 928s, but I haven't heard anything about them in a long time. I thought they went through an owner change a few years ago.

Similarly, there was a place called T&D in Campbell, near the intersection of Hamilton and Bascom. The shop was sold, and renamed to BTM Motorwerks. No idea, if they still work on 928s, but given the photos on Yelp, I doubt they have any specialists on staff.

There are numerous other Porsche repair shops in the South Bay, but I have no idea how much experience they have on the 928. You may end-up having to do a Yelp Search for "Porsche Repair", and start interviewing shops on their 928 knowledge. For the Timing Belt job, however, I'd want to be sure it's done by someone with the experience and tools to do it right.

Here is another idea: Given the work the car needs, it may be worth taking it down to Anaheim and let Greg Brown at Precision Motor Works do the job right. I know it's a bit of a long trip from where you are, but he represents the Platinum Standard of 928 repairs.

 

Nicole:

I know the BTM guys _really_ well.

Let me ask them tomorrow whats up..very tight race team, and they build and manage a fleet of good cars for the track.

 

My employer's head office is in Irvine, so that's definitely worth considering.

 

If that's a realistic option for you, it's the best thing you can do for your future 928. Have him go through the front of the engine, do the motor mounts and pan gasket, and the intake job, and you won't have to worry about the engine for a long time. Again, he is the Platinum Standard in this business, and worth every penny he charges.

Besides, Greg is near 928 International; you could pick-up a new aluminum belly pan and have it installed (including transfer of the ducts from the old pan to the new one).

 

Brad at BTM has someone that can speak. 928.

Tell him I sent you.

 

Does that person just speak a few words, or is he fluent in timing belt and water pump etc with all the details involved?

 

I know Brad..and he said..has worked on 928s, old guy, **** on procedures, and although has worked on more 911s than 928s, that's to be expected. And worked for a # of years at...and...this is where my brain fails me.

I dont recall the name of the porsche shop..but it rang a bell.

I'll continue to dig in.

 

Thanks for digging. This is for a sub 30k mile 1991 928S4, so I'm a bit nervous.

Thanks,

Roger

 

No probs..Id help you..buuuuut..im not the right guy for the heavy iron work you are lookin to do. NO space to offer, and little time to dig into the heavy stuff even on my own.

I will stop by and talk to Brad tomorrow and his guy myself..worst case, Wednesday.

 

If you can find someone "local" to work on it, much easier than coming down here. Good luck.....I've got a large group of customers that travel down here, from the Bay area, to have anything major or technical done. They have their oil changed, up there.

Make sure that anyone who thinks they know enough to work on these cars, really does understand the car and is completely familiar with them....not "sort of" familiar.

Start by asking the shop how many "928 invoices" they had last year. Pretty good indicator.

I tell everyone the same thing.....my advantage is that because I basically only work on 928s, I'm so familiar with them that I know where all the problems potentially lie and can see and fix things long before they become a "real problem". Familiarity also makes tracing problems much easier. Things that take other shops hours and days to figure out....I sometimes already know the answer before I open the driver's door.

And remember, even though the car may only have 30,000 miles....things like the fuel lines are still almost 25 years old. And those fuel lines are special stuff. A little bit of hose from Auto Zone and some clamps isn't going to make them safe! Things like this, we have custom fittings made and build the best fuel lines that money can buy.

It's what we do!

The cars, when done right, are really very, very reliable and you really don't need a "local" mechanic. These days, with the Internet, digital pictures, and easy access to me (virtually all my customers have my personal cell number) simple things can usually be resolved without "mechanic intervention".

If you do plan on coming down, I've got an "open door" shop and encourage people to get familiar with their car, while it is up in the air. Plan on spending a few hours, as we look it over. We can explain how it works and what to look out for.

Most people have a great time and learn volumes.

 

Nobody on the planet knows 928's like Doc Brown. Take it there.

 

the truth x1,000,000%

 

Bill Ball is correct
Bauer in Oakland is very good. If you go to his shop in Oakland you will see more than one 928 in for service. He raced one in the past. Also a number of the guys that work for him have 928's. Chris is a good guy and his son Brian is as well. Also his rates are very fair. For him it's not OJT. Also he will encourage you to work on the car yourself.