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1st year of ownership in review and some maintenance questions
I thought I would share with everyone my first year experience of ownership. Last year I posted my initial experience fulfilling a long time dream. Since then I haven’t stop smiling. My experience with the car has been nothing but incredible. Every time I drive it which over the summer was daily, I feel a sense of excitement someone who is not into these cars will not understand. I put about 4k miles on the car this year and every drive was a blast. I bought the car with 34k miles on it so fairly low mileage for the age, and trust me, she will not become a garage queen or an investment item. These cars are a meant to be driven and not just looked at, although they are pretty
As soon as I bought the car I signed up with the Porsche Club of America and made many new friends with my local Kentucky chapter. The comradery is awesome and I love going to meetings and going on drives around southern Indiana and Kentucky back roads. So much fun to share the same passion with so many other enthusiasts. That’s what it is all about for to me, and of course the excitement I get driving on twisty Kentucky back roads.
I have learned a lot about these cars in the last year and I hope learn more and become more familiar with the engine and what it takes to keep these fine machines running smooth for many years to come. I am on this forum on daily basis educating myself and reading all the great post and experience everyone is having. Something to look forward to every day.
The car ran smooth all year and I get so many compliments. I have people come up to me all the time telling me that this body style is their favorite and they can’t believe how old it is. Of course that makes me smile and feel proud. Since buying the car I made some changes to the setup. Changes included, updated suspension Bilstein B8 with HR springs, Turbo Twist wheels with new Pilot sports, installed HID headlight conversion, Turbo S ducts and clear euro front corners. I also picked up Fabspeed’s Supercup exhaust from a fellow forum member which has been fun, but a bit too loud after a while. Don’t get me wrong, I love the sound when I want it to sound badass, but for highway cruising it drones a tap too much. I am already in the process of updating my OEM mufflers to Fister Stage 2s with oval tips. Can’t wait for when I get her ready for spring. The car looks perfect in my books. I just love the stance and look with Turbo twists. I think those wheels are perfect for the car.
Now that winter has come I plan on taking on some maintenance items. I am a modest self-tough mechanic and I am not afraid to tackle jobs, as long as there is enough knowledge online to make myself familiar with the repair and I have the appropriate tools I will give it a try. I know my limits and will leave the big stuff to the experts. That being said, I was hoping you guys could help me identify some items I could take care of this winter. This is what I know regarding the maintenance record on this car. It didn’t come with much info prior to hitting about 30k miles. But I am sure it was maintained regularly. This is what I know has been done.
3/25/15 @ 34,147 miles
Oil filter change, engine and pollen filter, check fluids
Replaced fan duct
Recall pe
rformed W301- Engine wiring harness
4/15/15 @ 34,198 miles
Brake fluid flush
Engine lid struts replaced
6/1/15 @ 34,232 miles
Oil and filter service
100 point inspection done by Porsche specialist
Oil pressure gauge fixed. Secured wiring harness at sending unit
3/11/16 @ 34,847
Shocks and springs replaced with Bilstein B8/HR
RS motor mounts installed
4 wheel alignment
3/20/16 @ 35,000
Oil and filter change - service on 6/1/15 use 5w30 I changed it to Mobil 1 V-Twin 20w50
Transmission fluid changed
What I am thinking might be a good idea to do this winter are the following items. If you think of anything else you would suggest, I would love to hear your feedback.
Spark plugs (I hear this might be a pretty painful job, thoughts?)
Hydraulic clutch fluid flush (I also think this might be a pain)
Axle drive oil change
Distributor caps & ignition rotor
Fuel filter
The belts look good and I don’t see any leaks. Any feedback on maintenance, would be much appreciated. In the meantime, here are some more photos of my car when I bought it and how it looks today.
Almost forgot. I got the Porsche Bug so bad that purchased another car just so I can keep the dream of driving a Porsche alive in the winter. I pick up this 1984 994 one owner car with 76k. I stole the car for $1000 from local friend who just didn't have the desire to fix her up. All it needed was a new radiator fan, fan switch, rear tail light and a basic tune up. All taken care of and now I have a car to beat around the winter. its a fun little car, but nothing like the 993. At least I am driving a Porsche and I don't have to worry about the salty roads
Sweet looking ride!! Double-down on the beautiful red leather interior....Smooth!
Additional MX items to add to your winter list:
Clean the idle control valve
Change transmission gear oil
Change rear differential oil
Learn where DME relay is located and keep an extra on hand.
Good luck and keep driving the car as much as you can!
Is that a factory radio delete? Also from my iPhone it appears you don't have floor mats but I could be mistaken. I'd go with black to break up the red interior and it hides dirt better.
Sweet looking ride!! Double-down on the beautiful red leather interior....Smooth!
Additional MX items to add to your winter list:
Clean the idle control valve
Change transmission gear oil
Change rear differential oil
Learn where DME relay is located and keep an extra on hand.
Good luck and keep driving the car as much as you can
Thanks Magicsott, I already replaced the gear oil but will definitely look into the other items. How do you clean the idle control value? Should I have any symptoms if it needs cleaning. Car idles just fine. Also regarding the differential oil, the more I think about it, my car is 2 wheel drive and since these cars have transaxles the gear change probably took care of that, correct? Also, how do I know the DME relay is going bad. I do have an occasional rough start up but usually when the car is cold or hasnt been started in a few days. Could that be a symptom of a bad relay, or is it something else?
Is that a factory radio delete? Also from my iPhone it appears you don't have floor mats but I could be mistaken. I'd go with black to break up the red interior and it hides dirt better.
Car still has factory stereo. I like it that way, plus I barely ever listen to the radio. Takes away from the whole experience of hearing that aircooled engine. First care I could care less on how good the stereo is. Regarding floor mats, in that picture it still has the OEM mats which were same color as the carpet. I am with you on that, I already changed them to black and like the contrast much better. Thanks.
Be careful with internet advice.....there is no stand-alone rear differential on a rear-engine, rear wheel drive car. You need rear wheel drive with the engine in front to have a rear diff.
As to your list, I'd do plugs, fuel filter, and bleed the clutch slave. Inspect caps, rotors, and dual distributor belt, and change if warranted. Plugs are a bastard, almost entirely because of the intake plug on #6, access to which is mostly blocked by the power steering pump.
Originally Posted by rg0115
Spark plugs (I hear this might be a pretty painful job, thoughts?)
Hydraulic clutch fluid flush (I also think this might be a pain)
Great story and thanks for sharing. Black with red leather interior is unique for sure. Very cool.
Some good advice was given above for maintenance. Here are some additional items to consider:
1) Fresh PS fluid - no reason to have 20 yr old fluid in the car. Might as well replace it with fresh stuff.
2) SAI check valve - these corrode and fail over time and only get more difficult to replace as they age.
3) Spark plugs - I do these every 30k. And yes, it was a painful experience for me the first time. I have a scar to prove it!
4) Air filter and pollen filters (unless visually clean)
5) I agree with you on flushing the clutch fluid - this is actually easy with a power bleeder.
I wouldn't worry with these until 60k:
1) Plug wires
2) Distributor belt, caps, rotors
3) Fuel filter
Not that you need any additional Porsche enthusiasm, but I hear the PCA regions down in your area are very active with DE events at the regional tracks. You should plan to take that 993 to the track a couple times this year. If so, I'd inspect your brakes - rotors (likely fine), pads, lines - before then and replace if needed.
Glad the car is a joy for you.
Looking at the list I would avoid replacing the spark plugs unless you are seeing OBDC issues as the plugs are very long service life items and although removing and replacing the individual plugs seems strait forward it is an opportunity to inadvertently introduce microscopic debris into the combustion chamber and the consequential oil burning that follows in a few thousand miles. If you are compelled to do it I would have a qualified 993 mechanic do the work.
In my case I saved this activity until I had an engine out job to do it along with where cleaning the area around the plugs could be done with a high degree of effectiveness.
Glad the car is a joy for you.
Looking at the list I would avoid replacing the spark plugs unless you are seeing OBDC issues as the plugs are very long service life items and although removing and replacing the individual plugs seems strait forward it is an opportunity to inadvertently introduce microscopic debris into the combustion chamber and the consequential oil burning that follows in a few thousand miles. If you are compelled to do it I would have a qualified 993 mechanic do the work.
In my case I saved this activity until I had an engine out job to do it along with where cleaning the area around the plugs could be done with a high degree of effectiveness.
Andy
993 Manual says 30K for plugs, fuel filter is also on the list? I am at 29,200 and was thinking of replacing the plugs also? No?
although removing and replacing the individual plugs seems strait forward it is an opportunity to inadvertently introduce microscopic debris into the combustion chamber and the consequential oil burning that follows in a few thousand miles.
I've been working on air-cooled 911's for 20 years and I've never heard something like this. I've certainly never heard, either in person or on the internet, of an engine with oil consumption problems related to changing the plugs. Please elaborate. This should be good.
BTW, plugs have a 30K service life. That's when they should be changed -- every 30K miles.
I guess he's arguing that when you remove or install the plug, anything in the plug well may fall into the combustion chamber, get caught between the piston and the wall, and score the cylinder.
Its an unfounded concern and can easily be mitigated with a can of compressed air for a computer keyboard.
But as everyone knows a 911 engine's cylinders are horizontally opposed, i.e. the plug openings are parallel to the ground, not perpendicular. The only debris that gets in the combustion chamber when you change the plugs can be a few carbon deposit crumbs -- but these don't score cylinder walls. They're harmless.
I am utterly baffled why this person is continuously posting fake advice to this forum. Is it Andy Kaufman-esque performance art? Is he mentally unwell? Very bizarre.
But as everyone knows a 911 engine's cylinders are horizontally opposed, i.e. the plug openings are parallel to the ground, not perpendicular. The only debris that gets in the combustion chamber when you change the plugs can be a few carbon deposit crumbs -- but these don't score cylinder walls. They're harmless.
I am utterly baffled why this person is continuously posting fake advice to this forum. Is it Andy Kaufman-esque performance art? Is he mentally unwell? Very bizarre.
well, not quite. The plugs are not at the top of the combustion chamber, so there is an angled vertical component to the plugs (top ones obviously more of a problem). the water cooled cars are horizontal so less of an issue there.
From what i've seen, there is rarely if ever any noticeable dirt in the plug well and if you are somewhat coordinated, you shouldn't introduce any during the plug change.
I am utterly baffled why this person is continuously posting fake advice to this forum...
Some post based on evidence, others post based on intuition.
In my opinion, he defines the latter camp. There's nothing wrong with that (it's all part of the discussion) until someone misinterprets misplaced intuition as absolute truth.
The PSA for the reader is - don't believe everything you read online.
01-04-2017, 09:46 PM
1st year of ownership in review and some maintenance questions
