Anyone replaced a starter on their 930?

[Emission]

I need to do it over the next few days. How much of a PITA is it? How long should it take? Do I have to pull anything to get to it? Words of wisdom?

Thanks,

- Mike

[onboost]

No different a PTA than an SC or Carrera. About 1- 1/2 to 2hrs..

[Emission]

Originally posted by onboost
No different a PTA than an SC or Carrera. About 1- 1/2 to 2hrs..

I heard the SC and Carrera require you to drop the tranny/engine down to access the starter. Do you have to do that with the 930?

[onboost]

You can do it that way, however sometimes you can get to that barrel nut on top just by using an extension on the allen socket.

Snap-on makes a long allen that I use to remove heat exchangers with. It goes right up through the hole in the exchanger, it also the same size that fits the bolts on the muffler strap... fits the starter too.

P-

[RarlyL8]

There may be differences due to my 915 but I can get the starter out in less than 30 minutes from the car being on the ground. I do a bear hug on the tranny to get to the top bolt and use a dental mirror to see it.

[onboost]

My 1- 1/2 to 2hrs.. includes beer & chat

:-)

[shaka]

Did it about 2 years ago and I recall needing a hex type tool for the top bolt. Not sure what they are called but once I had the right tool took about an hour. I also remember that it was hard getting access to the top bolt.


David

[9dreizig]

I did it last weekend... Piece of cake! Took about 15 min to take it off and about 10 to put it back on.. Most important is to take the heater duct off the flapper to make some room. Get under the starter with your feet in the back of the car.. You can then finagle your hand with a rachet hex tool to the back/top bolt.. Don't forget to unhook your battery cable before you start..

[9dreizig]

Hey where in CA are you ?? Wished I saw this earlier if you're in the Bay Area I would have swung by to help..

[Emission]

Originally posted by 9dreizig
Hey where in CA are you ?? Wished I saw this earlier if you're in the Bay Area I would have swung by to help..

I will do it this weekend. I'm in the LA area.

Great advice - especially since I don't have to drop the engine.

[9dreizig]

Are you sure you need a new one? I found that mine had a bad connection.. got it off and it worked fine.. then checked my wiring..

[Emission]

Originally posted by 9dreizig
Are you sure you need a new one? I found that mine had a bad connection.. got it off and it worked fine.. then checked my wiring..

No, I am not sure. But, as the starter in the car is more than two decades old (it is the original factory part), and it acts like the solenoid is sticking (stranding me when I park)... it's worth a shot. I am also replacing the ignition switch, for added measure.

[Craig 930 RS]

and try the HiTorque starer - lighter, and will crank over much faster - and much better made.

[jwmarc]

Craig.. the Hitorque starter.... how much and is that the name to Google

[jwmarc]

never mind...G'd it and answered my question

[Emission]

Originally posted by RarlyL8
There may be differences due to my 915 but I can get the starter out in less than 30 minutes from the car being on the ground. I do a bear hug on the tranny to get to the top bolt and use a dental mirror to see it.

I started it today.

It turns out the "bear hug" is the best approach - but it is a MESSY job hugging a 20-year-old transmission! My long arms do help.

I had to run to the mall for the "mother's day" gift so I was not able to finish.

[RarlyL8]

Glad that worked out for you.

I've got a funny story for you on that subject (it's funny now).

Several years ago I had to change the starter out on my SC. The car was off the ground just far enough for me to reach up into everything without having to stretch too far. Very claustrophobic, my nose could rub the bottom of the tranny.
Anyway, I'm under the car hugging the tranny with a dental mirror in one hand and a wrench in the other when I scrape a wad of crud off the top of the tranny. The crud rains down on my face and I instinctively move my head. My arm hits the shop light, the shop light falls on my other arm and burns it, I jolt my head up from the pain and smash my face right into the tranny, my face bounces off the tranny an I smash my head on the concrete floor........ just as my wife walks in the garage.
She said "are you OK?" and in my best Jeff Spicolli voice I reply "ja hear that? It's my skull".
I wore a nice black eye for a week.

[9dreizig]

Hey Rarely, am I missing something? Why hug the tranny ? I go at it from the passengers side ( head towards the front). Is there an advantage or are you guys just affectionate down south??

[Emission]

The bottom allen is easy to get from underneath. The top one is most easily accessible from the top. Since it is hard to get around the left side (the bolt is on the top right), you can "bear hug" the tranny and reach around with your right arm (head towards the front). If you feel around (or use a dental miror), there is plenty of room for a tool.

My tranny is black from two decades of road grime - I swear it is 3/4" thick. My hairy right arm was the perfect "pipe cleaner" to pull down about 2 pounds of crud on the first attempt. Wear glasses, and keep your mouth shut.

[Emission]

All done. All by myself.

(Before this Porsche, and before this bulletin board, I had done nothing more technical than changing oil. I am pretty proud of myself!)

As "9dreizig" says, take the heater duct off to make room for the (heavy!) starter to come in and out.

The hardest part is breaking the allen nuts free with the limited room. Thankfully, once they start spinning you can use your fingers to spin them off (and on).

It's not a difficult job - just messy (wear glasses!).

- Mike