Doug&Julie

First of all....hi! This long time lurker in the 964 world is finally getting an opportunity to own one. It's a 1990 C4 with 155k miles. I'm not paying a lot for the car (purchase) but I'm aware that I'm going to need a substantial baseline service on the car. (The car has service records, but the P.O. just kinda followed the advice of his mechanic, and I'm not sure everything has been done to our higher standards.) I'll know more once I take possession of the car and have a chance to study the service records, but in the meantime I'm planning on a major service including these things:

Oil / Filter Change
Fuel Filter Change
Air Filter Change
Valve Adjustment (w/new valve cover gaskets)
Spark Plugs
Distributor Caps
Distributor Rotors
Distributor Belt
Front Diff Fluid Change
Trans Fluid Change
Brake Flush

I know the car has the distributor vent. I also know the ABS pump has been replaced not too long ago. It has had a "major service" about 10k - 15k ago. He is getting the starter and alternator replaced this week, then I pick up the car next week. There are a handful of little fixes that I may try to tackle in the next few months of ownership, but I want to make sure the mechanicals are as strong and fresh as can be. Am I missing anything here?

Obligatory photo of the new ride

Wachuko

Congratulations!

In addition to the list you have, I would change both coils and spark plug cables.
Replace both ceramic resistors (oil cooler, A/C cooler).
Also the smaller oil hoses below the oil tank (located in passenger rear wheel area)
Check the two hoses from the power steering canister...
Check steering rack boots

That covers most of the issues. Unless you have a leaking steering rack...

Doug&Julie

Thanks for the additions! Car didn't appear to have any leaks what-so-ever. Of course, I realize that not all leaks show themselves easily! I'm going to hand the car over to my expert eye mechanic for this first service, then I plan to learn along the way.

Cheers!

psiegel

It looks like you have a great start. Here a few more easy ones.
Alignment if it hasn't been done in a year or so
check the pressure of the air conditioning system
clean and check the condition of the ISV
If the headlights are H5 change to H4 (the H4 are a huge improvement for not a lot of $)
Replace battery if it hasn't been replaced in 3 year or so
Brake pads if less then 25% left
Have the shop check the condition of the brake lines
Check all fuses and relays in front and back compartments
Purchase an extra DME relay and a few extra fuses of each type. I store in a small bag near the front fuse box.
Expensive to replace but have the shop check the condition of the spark plug wire set
Especially if the air filter is dirty, you may need to clean the AFM as well
Check operation and condition of all fans including oil cooler and condenser
Check exhaust system for leaks
Check the 2 hot Air Hoses that connect the Heat Exchanger to Heater Control Box
Check condition of dampeners

Have fun

Rocket Rob

I have a few ideas to add

Change the power steering fluid
Change all three v-belts (alternator, cooling fan and A/C)
Check all rubber hoses
Pull the bottom covers off and check for leaks/problems
Purchase a spare DME relay and put it in your glove box
Verify the battery and cables
Verify that your emergency toolkit is complete and that you have the emergency jack and tools
Have someone pull all diagnostic codes via Hammer or Scantool to ensure nothing is there.

GeorgeK

Bleed the diff locks.

elbeee964

Check for loose change and pens under seats.


All good pts, above.
But your originals are a satisfying basis point.

Doug&Julie

Awesome thanks! I think a lot of this stuff I'll be able to do myself. If / when I do I'll just check them off the list before handing the car over to my wrench. (..boy, not looking forward to that bill!)

Doug&Julie

Yeah I'm very confident in the overall condition of this car, but I'll be double checking everything because I really loved my test drive and I can see myself driving this car everywhere...which means I'll want it to be as reliable as possible.

Rocket Rob

I forgot to mention, you may want to have the alignment checked too.

Doug&Julie

Yep. psiegel has that in his post.

Oracle

I disagree with buying parts just because they're old (except for a spare DME relay)
Change all fluids you can think and drive the car... fix it as you go along for the drive, its about the journey not the destination...

Bearclaw

+1
Although I think the mechanics generally start there, before they move on to your wallet.
On any new-to-me car that I don't have verifiable service records on, I do the equivalent of a 60K (major) service. I think your original list basically covers that. As was mentioned, make sure you get all the belts.

choogh

Just one more. There is Technical Service Bulletin No. 9005 for the 964. You can do it yourself within a couple of hours. Check and see if there is a painted "spot" on the MAF, if there is, the mods been done.. if not DO IT !!

Doug&Julie

I agree with you with the exception of parts that might leave me dead on the side of the road. I bought this car at a nice low price knowing full well that I would be spending some money replacing a lot of parts (really, maintenance items) just to ensure some degree of reliability (and of course, safety). I intend to drive this thing.