I scheduled a tech inspection to get my car checked out for an upcoming PCA. I was told that it would take about an hour, and would cost $85. Is this a reasonable price? I'm going to pay it and not worry about it, it's just a bit more than I was expecting. All they're going to do is go through the checklist that I give them that's required for the PCA DE. The most I expect them to do is pull the wheels to look at the rotors.

Are there any other things that I can have them check? I definitely am going to bring up the wiring harness issue and see how they handle the issue. If they're even aware of it. I have a '95, but haven't checked the harness numbers against EJ's info. My VIN is early enough that I need to add the brackets if I upgrade to 18" wheels, so I assume it is likely that it's old enough to have the problem harness.

 

Hi AJ:

IMHO, that's not an unreasonable charge for an hour's worth of shop time to look over your car and make sure that its safe for the track.

One thing,.....I would be aware that judging the color or condition of brake fluid by what's in the reservoir is not dependable. The stuff in there can look OK (if its not Super Blue) and the fluid in the calipers will be a "root beer" brown from moisture absorption.

If your fluid has not been changed in a year or more, I would strongly suggest that you have these folks flush that old stuff out at this time.

Brake fluid is cheap and and being proactive in this area can pay big dividends,.....

 

AJ,
I have always just done my own tech inspection. Before I did my first DE my mechanic did an oil change and a quick overview of the car and brake fluid change. My car only had 6000 miles on it though.
If you do your own preventative maintenance and know what to look for I don't see why you need to pay someone to do that. But if they find something you didn't know to look for it could be $85 well spent.
The brakes are the most important area to look at, change the fluid, check to make sure you have an acceptable amounts of pad material. If the car is on a lift double check the suspension to make sure everything is torqued correctly.
Greg

 

I think you may be able to save some money if you take it to a shop that supports your PCA region for track events. Here in Chicago I have had Midwest Eurosport fill out the tech sheet, cost me 35.00 (that may be a good cust.discount) but this shop supports our region at all track days and may discount based on PCA membership. If your region does not have a tech sheet check out <a href="http://www.pca-chicago.org." target="_blank">www.pca-chicago.org.</a> Everything on this sheet can be completed at home after the first time your shop checks you out for any pre existing conditions

 

Hey A.J.

I am not familiar with your neck of the woods but I have never paid for a pre tech inspection.
Most shops do it for free in the hopes that you will bring your car to them after you warp your rotors, use up your brakes, blah blah blah..

So, look around... I'm sure you can find someone who will do it for free.
Most shops who specialize on track cars and DE's will really do it for free. Many shops also do a PPI inspection for free.
If your in Miami and want some info on a shop that does free PPI's and pre tech inspections, email me and I'll pass along the info..
But remember.. every shop that saves you a penny hopes it will come back to them dressed as a quarter..
And that's fine by me... I am more than willing to take care and send business to the people who take care of me..

good luck... keep your eyes up and hey... Your in a porsche.... DON'T LIFT

 

A.J.

I must not be on the preferred customer list as $85 is exactly what I paid here in Cincinnati, OH.

I usually get the brake fluid flushed at the same time which adds another $100 to the cost.

 

Thanks for the info! In expectation of doing the DE last year, I replaced the front rotors, got track pads from Steve, and changed/flushed the brake fluid. The old fluid was so clogged that I had to hit the calipers with a rubber mallet for quite some time, and wound up applying pressure to the brake pedal to get the fluid to come out. I've only put a 4K miles on it since then, though it's a daily driver (and I always make sure it gets up to temp).

I have the inspection check sheet, and will go ahead and pay the money this time for the inspection. I'm going to error on the side of safety - trying to save a buck has bitten me in the *** in the past. But this will be the last inspection I pay for.

They got me on my first oil change, too - the same place had my car in for tire change/alignment, and said it was time for an oil change. This was before I was involved heavily with Rennlist. It was 7000 mi since the last change, I was expecting 15K mi intervals as per the manual. I did not have the supplies, but was aware of Robin's oil change DIY. I knew enough to know it was involved, and I was not ready. So I let them do it - for $160 or so, not including filters! They got me on that one, too.

Time to find a new mechanic? Probably. But here in Louisville, race shops aren't real prevalent...and the one I'm using DOES do good work.

Thanks again for the helpful info. And B-Line, I would love to take you up on your offer, but I don't find myself in Miami near enough. That is my favorite part of the country, but not much down there in my line of work (auto industry). We will be in Naples over 4th of July week, though, and last time we were there we shot over to the Keys for some scuba diving (and drove past Homestead! ).

 

[quote]Originally posted by Jeff96-993:
<strong>A.J.

I must not be on the preferred customer list as $85 is exactly what I paid here in Cincinnati, OH.

I usually get the brake fluid flushed at the same time which adds another $100 to the cost.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Jeff,
Next time at the track I will show you how to bleed the brakes, it is a good chance I will do it at least once that weekend. It is easy if you have the right tools (which are pretty inexpensive, right Anir?) I can't believe I used to pay someone to work on my brakes as it is so simple.
Who do you take your car to in Cincy?
Greg

 

Greg,

Northland is right next door to my house, so my service is done there.

I used to bleed my brakes on my '86 911, but understood that the ABS system required the "Hammer" to do it on the '96. So I've given up because I didn't have the right equipment for this car. If this is not the case I'd love to know as I agree, it is easy to do.

I will be at Mid-Oh with OVR, so you can count me in for a mini tech-session on brake bleeding. I'll see you there.

 

I took my car for the inspection, and everything checked out ok, except for a few minor things: one of the bulbs on the 3rd brake light strip is out, another bulb was burned out in the standard brake lights, and they found a nail in one of the tires. That made it all worth it, because I'm not positive I would have found a nail in the tire. I like to think I would have given the treads a once over, but knowing the brakes are in perfect order, I may not have even removed the wheels...and may not have found that nail. I saved myself a lot of trouble paying for the inspection.

 

[quote]Originally posted by Jeff96-993:
<strong>I used to bleed my brakes on my '86 911, but understood that the ABS system required the "Hammer" to do it on the '96. So I've given up because I didn't have the right equipment for this car. If this is not the case I'd love to know as I agree, it is easy to do.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Jeff
Not the case - nothing special needed. Just the usual stuff - pressure/vacuum bleeder, flare nut wrench (think it's 11mm), drain container w/hose & clean fluid. Follow Ray's DIY at p-car.com - it's simple & fast.

<a href="http://p-car.com/diy/flush.html" target="_blank">How to flush the brake system.</a>

 

Dan,

Thanks for the info, you've made my life easier. Now with all the money I save maybe I can finally afford those track tires.....

 

[quote]Originally posted by Jeff96-993:
<strong>Greg,

Northland is right next door to my house, so my service is done there.

I used to bleed my brakes on my '86 911, but understood that the ABS system required the "Hammer" to do it on the '96. So I've given up because I didn't have the right equipment for this car. If this is not the case I'd love to know as I agree, it is easy to do.

I will be at Mid-Oh with OVR, so you can count me in for a mini tech-session on brake bleeding. I'll see you there.</strong><hr></blockquote>


Jeff,
I have heard that you use the Hammer to cycle the fluid in the ABS accumulator (not sure if this is the right term) but I have never done that. I just use a pressure bleeder and bleed at each caliper. Not sure if the fluid in the ABS system mixes with all the other fluid, if it does then there shouldn't be any problem with not using the Hammer. FWIW, I have never bleed my brakes using the Hammer and have had no problems with either car, and no problems with the ABS.
Next time I talk with my mechanic and see what he says but since I have bleed my brakes many times at his shop without this step I would figure it is not 100% neccessary.
Greg

 

[quote]Originally posted by A.J. - 95 993:
<strong> and they found a nail in one of the tires. That made it all worth it, because I'm not positive I would have found a nail in the tire. </strong><hr></blockquote>

AJ,
That is a risk of driving your car to an event. Good idea to check air pressure before every run session as well as the lugs. I was in an accident at Putnam when a tire went down on a 993 that I was riding/instructing in. Glad you caught it.
Greg

 

Greg,
Funny you mention towing the vehicle. We're planning on towing my car to the track. There is a larger displacement engine that is being developed, and a new tow package (I work at KTP), and a friend here wants to trial the tow package. Perfect opportunity!