When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Also be sure to check the new visitor thread near the top of the index here. It has a ton of info that will be useful in educating you as a buyer.
Reading that now. Signs of impending disappointment for a new 928 owner: "I got a great deal. Sold my reliable daily driver because I only have one outdoor parking space at my apartment building. All I own now is the 928."
Reading that now. Signs of impending disappointment for a new 928 owner: "I got a great deal. Sold my reliable daily driver because I only have one outdoor parking space at my apartment building. All I own now is the 928."
Haha. Yep, that's me!
Not if you take it to Greg and say, make this a reliable daily driver. Where people get into trouble is maintaining a 30 year old Porsche like a new Honda. Reliable requires replacing things before they fail on a practical schedule.
Went to see the car on Saturday, I was expecting the worst but it was exceptionally nice. All original paint in superb condition, straight and solid. All completely original apart from the radio. So I snapped it up and took a chance with the 1400 mile drive back home. It was a really enjoyable roadtrip and I got to know the car quite well. I have to say, in all my experience of high end old metal, the 928 (or at least this one) is a very well put together car. Everything feel quality and well engineered. I'm sure this isn't news to any of you.
Having said that, when I got home I noticed a clattering sound had developed in the front right (driver's side) of the engine compartment. It's a kind of irregular noise, not entirely rhythmic. I had a waterpump fail on a Buick and it sounded like this. There are no records for any tb/wp work so I had already planned on tearing it down and changing all the belts and wp and whatever else. So I'm gunna do some inspection work. Any ideas what a likely cause of the noise could be?
Thanks in advance for any pointers.
My favorite color for these cars. You'd never notice just how filthy it is here. It's missing the front spoiler. That's the least of my problems right now.
You have a pretty extensive support network in the Los Angeles area. Schedule a meet-and-greet with the car soon with a few of the locals, and let them help you build your to-do list for the car. That should easily include listening to the noises you describe.
Looks like, at least by the front plate, that it came from somewhere nearby where we are now. So you missed an opportunity to have it looked at pre-purchase here in the high desert area.
Things for certain will need a carefull look include all the original emissions equipment present and functional. California is more than **** about that stuff, while Oregon is not. They did a walk-by VIN check on my S4 when I moved here from Glendale, and called it good. Contrast to when I brought it (back) into California 15+ years ago, when the DMV went over it carefully, and it needed a full inspection at a test-only (now STAR) smog test facility before they would do any more than take my money for title/registration. Bottom line is that your car may have some shortcutting on engine/emissions/exhaust that, while practically OK in Oregon, may be an expensive fail in Los Angeles.
You mention the similarity to the one-car/apartment parking space reference in the New Visitors thread. Hope it isn't so. The TB/WP project is a very long day assuming absolutely no problems or stray parts needs, with the removed-parts collection taking over a couple 6' folding tables when I do it. Doesn't exactly lend itself to parking-lot status at an apartment building. Some have done it though, so it isn't impossible.
Thanks rnixon. I've found out what the loud clattering sound is. It's the alternator bearing. I'm so relieved it's not something in the engine! Happy to see that alternator prices are pretty reasonable.
Thanks for your words dr bob. It’s a nice gesture and I appreciate it. The noise is the alternator bearing. I’ve ordered another complete alternator as they’re not too expensive.
It does look as though there’s a good support network down here. It’s very encouraging.
Yep, car’s from Oregon. I’ve just begun the registration process today at the DMV. I’ve a month to get it smogged. All the stuff is there and appears in tact though the belt is missing from the pump (and the a/c) which raises a flag. It turns okay though. We’ll see how it goes.
Indeed, ‘one-car/apartment parking space’ though it is a garage so not entirely unsuitable. Now that I know what the noise is, the rest of the car runs sweetly so I’m not in a mad rush to tackle the tb/wp. I’ll take my time with that one, thanks for the heads up.
Originally Posted by dr bob
You have a pretty extensive support network in the Los Angeles area. Schedule a meet-and-greet with the car soon with a few of the locals, and let them help you build your to-do list for the car. That should easily include listening to the noises you describe.
Looks like, at least by the front plate, that it came from somewhere nearby where we are now. So you missed an opportunity to have it looked at pre-purchase here in the high desert area.
Things for certain will need a carefull look include all the original emissions equipment present and functional. California is more than **** about that stuff, while Oregon is not. They did a walk-by VIN check on my S4 when I moved here from Glendale, and called it good. Contrast to when I brought it (back) into California 15+ years ago, when the DMV went over it carefully, and it needed a full inspection at a test-only (now STAR) smog test facility before they would do any more than take my money for title/registration. Bottom line is that your car may have some shortcutting on engine/emissions/exhaust that, while practically OK in Oregon, may be an expensive fail in Los Angeles.
You mention the similarity to the one-car/apartment parking space reference in the New Visitors thread. Hope it isn't so. The TB/WP project is a very long day assuming absolutely no problems or stray parts needs, with the removed-parts collection taking over a couple 6' folding tables when I do it. Doesn't exactly lend itself to parking-lot status at an apartment building. Some have done it though, so it isn't impossible.
Thought I'd post this in case might be useful to anyone:
Loud clattering noise turned out to be a failed woodruff key that somehow gathered enough play to work itself loose enough to mince the notch in the alternator's pulley pretty bad.
928 International is only an hour's drive from me so I got a replacement from them. It was great to meet those guys. A real Aladdin's cave of all kinds of goodies. Left with a bunch of stuff, 50 per cent off all used stock this month.
I will say seeing him change out the alternator in the pouring rain proved he was not afraid of getting his and wet or dirty. When his car pulled into the parking lot I was sure I was buying a parts car based on how bad it sounded. Who knew an alternator could make so much noise.
11-28-2014, 07:44 PM
