Taking the 930 plunge

[prairiedawgshoo]

Greetings...I'm finally going to take the plunge and get myself a 930...the one I'm looking at has 112K miles on it...as far as I'm told, it's never bee rebuilt...the price is right, but not knowing the history I'm especially concerned with the motor and if/when I'll need to have it rebuilt...any suggestions on how to approach this or what to look for?

also, are there any standard symptoms a motor will exhibit indicating needing a motor rebuild?

thanks!

[OldSpool87]

The absolute best thing you can do is get a PPI done by a reputable air cooled Porsche mechanic. It is money well spent and will give you piece of mind. If you don't know a good shop in your area or hat of the car, just post the question on the board and you will get lots of recs.

Good luck and let us know when you bring one home!

[16Volt]

Get ready to hear this a thousand times....get a good PPI (pre-purchase inspection) by a knowledgeable mechanic who knows 930s/aircooled 911s.

A motor that constantly burns oil/smokes/knocks etc are all bad signs. Are you mechanically inclined to know the difference? The comp/leakdown test will also be a good measuring bar for engine health.

Otherwise I picked up a few books/buyers guides specifically for the 930 and 935. Good content if a bit general. Lots of good resources here and via the search button.

Good luck!

[Robbbyg]

Depends how much he is selling it for whether to get a PPI !

if its 20 or 30k buy it before someone beats you to it

[Tt surgeon]

True, the days of a beard scratching ppi, pondering for weeks are over.
What's your price range prairie dawg?

[TheRedSlantnose]

Well, for an old Porsche with 122k miles on it without a rebuild, you'd probably expect the engine to be dripping oil, which is common among cars of that age.

[JJK78-951]

Car will probably smoke on startup some. Probably smoke more after it is warm because the valve guides are probably worn out. Maybe a broken ring or two... As long as it is running that is a good thing. Let us know how much they are asking, as Robby said anything under $25-30K these days is a good deal, just buy it, $35-$40K+ get a PPI done, definitely worth it~
Good luck!
J

[prairiedawgshoo]

Thanks everyone for the good words...They're asking $43K for it...I've put a deposit to hold it as I'm in Nebraska and the car is in Albany, NY...nuthin' like buying one of these off the ole interweb

Guess I better find someone to do the PPI!

thanks again!

[Jeff NJ]

For $43k, it had better be really nice for those miles.
As stated already, compression/leakdown tests are important for that motor based on the miles and no rebuild.

What year is it? What mods are done? Accident/repaint history? The answers will also affect the value.

[sundevil64]

Get a PPI or at least someone to "put their hands on it". I don't know how to say this, but that seems high. It wasn't long ago I would have sold my 78 930 sunroof delete with 54k miles for that.

I am nearing the end of the rebuild of a 79 930 motor and it's not cheap. I had to split the case, but even if you are doing just a top end and turbo rebuild you are looking at $6-10k farming it out. Much less if you do it yourself. I didn't get a ppi on my car with the 930 motor and it was a mess. If it was a basket case. You are better off knowing it now before you are "all in". Just saying. I hope no offense is taken with my candor.

[krasuskyp]

I've got a petrolhead bud in that area that would likely gladly at least lay eyes upon this for you - I like this approach as it gives an enthusiat's assessment vs. a shop's on overall presentation, etc. (paint / interior impressions, etc.)

would / should still need a PPI (while I've bought cars w/o them including this one, I've had other ways to get around them and worked out fine) for the technical assessments

depending on the year / condition / status (stock or mods etc.) I think that price sounds about right IMO

more details would help, pics preferably - prolly OK to share publically since you've got it held w/ deposit

[Norm K]

Originally Posted by Robbbyg

Depends how much he is selling it for whether to get a PPI !

if its 20 or 30k buy it before someone beats you to it

^^^^ this ^^^^

At $43K with 112K miles I'd get a PPI. And this from a guy who's never gotten one - even on my 930.

Mine, with 105K, had also never been rebuilt. Dripped plenty of oil, but ran strong; good interior, good paint, no rust, new-ish clutch, two owner car so I bought it on the spot (for $22K). I figured that even if it had only another 10K good miles in it, I could probably drive it (as little as I drive my "toy" cars these days) for at least five years before having to dig into it. A year and a half later it still runs strong but, not being able to help myself, I pulled the motor last week and will be doing at least the top-end as well as converting to EFI.

If you're not a guy who's willing and able to DIY this thing, understand that a 930 with 112K miles (assuming the engine's never been done) could easily set you back $20K+ before you've even really gotten to know it.

[prairiedawgshoo]

Thanks for the offer...I would like to take you up on that!

below is the link to the car...please keep the feedback coming!


http://showroom.auction123.com/auto_haus_motors/inventory/8416/1987/Porsche/911/WP0JB0931HS050482.html

[TT Gasman]

I would check that car for rust , being from the northeast, also a compression and leak down would tell you a lot. Leaking oil itself has little to do with the miles, more indicative of lack of use and neglect. I looked at a 50k miles car last year that you could not stand under on a lift without being drenched in oil, needing a complete reseal minimum.

[boostfix]

As another reference point, my 1988 930 now has 94,000 miles on it without ever having anything on the engine rebuilt. I have no oil drips and factory oil consumption.

[jwasbury]

Originally Posted by boostfix

I have no oil drips and factory oil consumption.

Acceptable oil consumption per the owners manual could have you adding a half quart or so every time you fill the gas tank...in other words, a fairly high level of oil consumption is "normal" per the factory. My '79 was consuming oil at the high end of this "acceptable" range. 40% leak down on #6 cylinder. Tear down revealed deformed piston on #6, broken rings there and on 2 other cylinders. No unusual smoking or running problems...Strong runner even with the internal issues.

Originally Posted by prairiedawgshoo

also, are there any standard symptoms a motor will exhibit indicating needing a motor rebuild?!

As already mentioned, a leak down test will provide you objective data as to the health of the engine. In my experience, one symptom that I have observed first hand on my car and one other is that an engine with poor leak down (like my 40%) will puff smoke/steam out of the oil tank filler. I'm not talking wisps of vapor coming out, they all do that, I'm talking a rhythmic pulsing puff puff puff like an exhaust pipe. That is blow by gasses pressurizing the crankcase. If you see that, be prepared to drop some coin.

[Maxx1]

Mine is an 82 and the only smoking it does is on startup. Sometimes it' s huge puff of smoke, other times barely any at all, I think it depends on what position the engine stops in. No leaks on mine, but I'm running dino oil, I think synth will tend to leak more readily.

Good luck on the purchase! Post pics when you get it.

[timc]

Originally Posted by TheRedSlantnose

Well, for an old Porsche with 122k miles on it without a rebuild, you'd probably expect the engine to be dripping oil, which is common among cars of that age.

I think it really depends on the car, how it's maintained and driven. I have approx 135K, engine never been apart, synth (Amsoil) since i bought it with 34K, no leaks at all, and seldom smokes on startup. I've never seen a drop of oil on the ground. Sure I've got weeps in various places, but nothing on the ground.

Based on my experience with one 930, driving it approx 100K miles, mostly long drives, mountains, and highways, if the car is driven and maintained properly (long enough to get up to temp, remain for awhile, proper cool down) I would not worry to much with 122K.....now having said that, you are much closer to topend/total rebuild just in theory, just because of the miles. But I've also seen required rebuilds with much less mileage so you really just never know, it's all a gamble. All you can do is hope you have accurate sufficient history of how the car lived for the 122K miles....

Good luck.