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I bought a 1980 928 a few days ago. After appreciating and wanting one of these cars back when they were new, I finally have one.
This 928 has some strong points and a few issues. On the positive side, it has relatively low mileage - about 80,000 miles. It also starts, runs, and drives well. The body is great, with one repaint by the looks of things, and the car has no rust, including underneath. That in itself seems unusual for a 37 year old car. I have restored various American and British cars, many of which had rust issues.
On the negative side,the car has several electrical issues. After two days of exploring the car's incredibly complex electrical system, all the exterior lights now work as they should (only about half worked when I got it.) The power seats work, except that the passenger side seat only moves forward and won't go back. Dirty contacts in the switch? The power window switches are touchy, and the power locks don't work. Neither do the fuel gauge or the wipers work. Oh, and after testing the alternator and checking the voltage regulator, I'm looking for a rebuilt alternator.
The automatic transmission and transaxle seem good. The transmission level was down about one pint, and judging by the thick layer of dirt on the sight glass, no one had checked that for many years. So it's not leaking fast. The boots also look good.
The engine may be another matter. It runs well and sounds good. But the bottom of the engine is covered in oil. I can't see it leaking with the car running, and finding and dealing with the source of the leak(s) sounds like a challenge.
And then there's the routine maintenance that almost certainly was neglected. Changing the timing belt and all the rubber fuel hoses likely should be done sooner rather than later.
While I like projects, I already had a few others on the go. For its day, this also appears to be an incredibly complex car. Thanks to the service manuals and forums like this, maybe this will turn into a good experience?? Right now I'm feeling a bit intimidated.
Kind of sounds like mine when I received it. Now it runs great and is completely electrically sound. I have delved into every issue and have got to understand them down to detail. That is how, and why, I have been able to repair each and every issue. It is my pastime, and I have enjoyed doing it all.
I bought a 1980 928 a few days ago. After appreciating and wanting one of these cars back when they were new, I finally have one.
This 928 has some strong points and a few issues. On the positive side, it has relatively low mileage - about 80,000 miles. It also starts, runs, and drives well. The body is great, with one repaint by the looks of things, and the car has no rust, including underneath. That in itself seems unusual for a 37 year old car. I have restored various American and British cars, many of which had rust issues.
On the negative side,the car has several electrical issues. After two days of exploring the car's incredibly complex electrical system, all the exterior lights now work as they should (only about half worked when I got it.) The power seats work, except that the passenger side seat only moves forward and won't go back. Dirty contacts in the switch? The power window switches are touchy, and the power locks don't work. Neither do the fuel gauge or the wipers work. Oh, and after testing the alternator and checking the voltage regulator, I'm looking for a rebuilt alternator.
The automatic transmission and transaxle seem good. The transmission level was down about one pint, and judging by the thick layer of dirt on the sight glass, no one had checked that for many years. So it's not leaking fast. The boots also look good.
The engine may be another matter. It runs well and sounds good. But the bottom of the engine is covered in oil. I can't see it leaking with the car running, and finding and dealing with the source of the leak(s) sounds like a challenge.
And then there's the routine maintenance that almost certainly was neglected. Changing the timing belt and all the rubber fuel hoses likely should be done sooner rather than later.
While I like projects, I already had a few others on the go. For its day, this also appears to be an incredibly complex car. Thanks to the service manuals and forums like this, maybe this will turn into a good experience?? Right now I'm feeling a bit intimidated.
The fact it runs and drives is a major positive thing....a huge percentage don't!
They are more complex than anything you have worked on, but there is a tremendous amount of information on this Forum, alone.
Give it a chance....it's just another mechanical thing.
Welcome Blueskies! I understand both your excitement and trepidation regarding your "new" 928. This is an amazingly helpful forum. Many here would not still have their cars if not for the information and diagnostic ability of those who have "been there done that". You will sooner or later be instructed to get yourself some Deoxit D100 fully concentrated contact cleaner to clean your various inoperable switches which may resolve those issues. be sure to check and clean all ground straps too. Oil leak may be the oil pan gasket (OPG). Someone mat correct me if I am wrong but if the leak is slow that can continue to be differed at your discretion. I wish you the best. And everyone here loves to see pictures.
Ross T Baltimore, Md US'78 5-speed.
Also it is always good to add the year, transmission type and whether you have a US or Euro spec car in to your signature. This can be done by going to the "UserCp" tab on the top left and then scroll down to "Edit signature"
Here is a pic - I will try to post a few more. Cosmetically, it's quite acceptable on the outside. No dents or rust. I was told that it originally came from the Dakotas. I recall driving through the Dakotas in the '80s with ice on the roads and was told that it was against the law to use salt there; that could account for the absence of rust.
The hood badge is gone; if anyone has an good used one that isn't worth an arm and a leg, please let me know. Not sure about the exhaust; it still has the catalytic system, but it has this huge single muffler/pipe at the exit end. Wondering if that is stock or aftermarket.
I get how it can seem intimidating after wrenching on British cars (assuming they are vintage ones). I have an old Triumph and a Land Cruiser and have thousands off hours wrenching on them over decades of ownership. After just a year into 928 ownership I find myself trying to understand systems that just don't even exist on my other cars. This forum makes learning how to fix this car very doable. For me it was just about jumping into the deep end of what I perceived to be complex and not being afraid to ask for help. This ownership community is by far and away the most helpful I have been a part of. From what you explained your car has got a lot more good than bad so you are ahead of a lot of others.
I get how it can seem intimidating after wrenching on British cars (assuming they are vintage ones). I have an old Triumph and a Land Cruiser and have thousands off hours wrenching on them over decades of ownership. After just a year into 928 ownership I find myself trying to understand systems that just don't even exist on my other cars. This forum makes learning how to fix this car very doable. For me it was just about jumping into the deep end of what I perceived to be complex and not being afraid to ask for help. This ownership community is by far and away the most helpful I have been a part of. From what you explained your car has got a lot more good than bad so you are ahead of a lot of others.
My main experience with British cars is with Healeys - the 100-6 and 3000. Compared to the 928, the Healey seems rather simple in design.
The interior looks OK, but not great. Not sure, but I think the rear side panels and the dash top may have been recovered. The black cloth inserts on the seats do look faded, and could use recovering. Maybe a spray with a fabric dye will improve their appearance for now. The door panels, dash, and carpet are good. All the glass is excellent.
05-14-2017, 01:19 PM
Mixed feelings - new 928 owner
