911 Tech Forum
 

Haven't had a need to visit it in 15 years till last week.

It's an interesting dynamic.

Obviously my observation is limited to basically only paying attention to it for the last week so admittedly I could be way off base here.

With a couple of exceptions it seems there are two, well three, types of posters.

Newbs with little to no knowledge looking for help.

People who have been around a bit and seem to only parrot stuff they've read / have seen posted frequently but really don't have first hand knowledge or experience with.

The people who really know their **** but have forgotten how to share their knowledge with people who have none. In that they give answers that require underlying knowledge that the person, typically a newb, doesn't posses. Don't know how that one really gets handled properly because the rabbit hole is deep.

The other interesting thing is it's almost as if there is too much accumulated knowledge.

The search feature is almost not useful any longer.

The depth of accumulated knowledge over the decades renders search almost like an entire library with 1,000 books on a single topic.

I was going to say, almost every question possible has been answered.

Speaking of dynamic, the tech forum isn't immune to drama and head butting. Every that happens, there's fallout and some of these folks end up dropping out.

After 15 years, you probably have observed that many times over.

I've used the search function with pretty good success. But the tech section has been bogged down by a lot of new owners who seem to not use the search function prior to posting. There aren't many questions on the SC or Carrera that haven't been gone over at least twice in the tech section.

When I experienced my mechanical over rev, I chose to do some searching to see what the end result was. Looking for mechanical over rev and money shift provided a few results but didn't really cover what was found in the end. So I started a thread linking other threads in an effort to make it one stop shopping. I think it would be helpful to join threads or make one master thread on things like 3.2 won't start.

Haven’t visited there in years either but interesting that there are lots of new owners seeking DIY support. Considering that these are no longer reasonably attainable by regular working folks, Im pleasantly surprised that new owners who likely forked out well north of $50k for a hobby car are doing their own work.

They need what we had....guys like EarlySMan.

That is an excellent point.

Since I bought the Land Cruiser three years ago, I have spent a lot of time on IH8MUD.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/forums/80-series-tech.9/

They do a really good job on making tech support accessible for the Newbs (me) by collecting common tech questions in a sticky with links to the information.

What did we do before the Internet? Every car/bike I buy requires weeks of pouring through the search function on their respective forums. Has made life so much easier...and costly mistakes so much rarer.

I agree with this. Compared to other car forums the PP 911 tech forum is by far the best I've seen in terms of quality of information and how people are treated.

All true. I have DIY'ed a bunch of age related stuff on the LC and the ability to see pictures with circles and arrows and well written comments is so great. Parts buys are simplified, I can prioritize work, etc.

I have the big shop manual (came with the truck) and never use it as a primary source other than to get the nomenclature right for searches.

As to the OP, when I bought a 1983 SC Targa in need of work five years ago, I started back down the search path in tech support here. The information and insight was excellent and I never posted a request.

In an odd twist, I was able to chart the scope and cost of the project in advance and decided to sell the SC before I started the work. I just wasn't up for that much effort and time.

So, good on the youngsters!

:D


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1637243391.jpg

Well, this "we", for example, wouldn't have undertaken a (quite successful, I might add) complete, split-case rebuild of his 930's engine before the internet.

Detroit V8s, even given the nuanced differences between marques, are a relative piece of cake - don't need no stinking internet - but I figured enlisting the help of the tech forum's expert might be a good idea the first time doing an air-cooled turbo.

_

Side note.

I found last week that a google search is actually easier to mine the Pelican forums than the built in search.

Every thread is indexed and seems to return better filtered results on phrase searches.

Also easier to follow multiple threads in individual browser tabs.

I pop over the tech section on most every visit. I see a lot of posts that have indeed be asked and answered 100 times. And some really poor thread titles, like "car won't start".

Like ANY gathering of (mostly) men there will be difference of opinions and experiences. From total newbies to wise guru - sages like John Walker. If John Walker posts, I always read it carefully and he has forgotten more than most of us know about 911 repair.

The search function on the forum software has always been pitiful.

The classic example is before Pelican, I would never have dreamed of doing the suspension refresh on my 911. Seeing other guys, regular non mechanic, dentists or office workers tackle replacing all the rubber bushing on a 911 made me try it. I will never forget that punch in the gut feeling of walking out to my garage and seeing my 911 on jack stands, with no suspension and thinking "Glen, what the F**k did you do!" and one part at a time getting it back to together better then it had ever been in my ownership was very satisfying. All thanks to lots of post on the tech section.

I would not own a 911 if not for discovering Pelican tech two decades ago. Never a real car guy, much less DIY, I discovered a new world. I jumped in "head first" after a few months of browsing and learning .... learning that Pelican forums would point me right and bail me out :). Haven't been in tech much (at all really) after the first five years or so...

But I know it's still there ;)

I've rarely found a question not already answered 20 years ago. Occasionally, I'll make threads for minor clarification to prior points as to not resurrect someone's issue from 2003 on a car they've likely moved on from a decade ago.

It sure made your local PCA tech guy obsolete! They were pretty important to the diy set in the 70s to 90s as far as I can tell from reading the old magazines.

I visit Land Rover forums to maintain our fleet (2001 Range Rover, 2010 Disco 4, a '99 Disco 2 and a 2001 Disco 2).

There is a depth of knowledge there as well BUT I pity the fool that doesn't do a search before posting a question. And even if they have searched but can't find an answer or just ask the question after not understanding the results of a search, the typical response comes with a flame thrower aimed at the poster.

The other thing I've noticed on the LR forums and occasionally on PP, is posters have a question and issue, it gets batted back and forth with replies and recommendations. Then at some point offline the poster finds the solution but never posts what they did to resolve their problem.

PCA was the repository of all useful technical information in the years before things like the Internet. There were annual technical seminars in several parts of the country, the most notable of them being the Warbonnet ones in Oklahoma. All of the big name Porsche gurus in the US, along with some from overseas, showed up and a good time was had by all.

Panorama magazine kept us abreast of new developments.

I miss those days.

Yea, I miss WBR Tech sessions. Drinking beer with Hans Metzger was a great time. PCA national worked real hard to kill us, and the finally succeeded after many years of trying.

It all started in one man's garage doing a clutch job on a 356. When Helmuth Bott came to talk, we were almost as big as Parade.

Bott was my hero. I liked Metzger and Tony Lapine, too.

Chuck Stoddard, Bob White, Bruce…

Thats how I do my search anymore. It's just easier to find a lot of threads all in one place.

This has saved me from so many embarrassing questions.

I feel that the majority of newbies are not enthusiasts like we are/were.
This is the reason the old guys get their backs up. These guys don't search or have a clue what they want or need. Probably won't fix it themselves anyway.
FB is the worst with so many "how can I make my car faster" posts.

Us old guys hate the new guys when they use the word frunk.

That’s it, we’re done.

Use Google Advance, right?

Put the 911 tech forum URL into the search field and then type what you are looking for.

It can actually search on numbers and photos.

https://www.google.com/advanced_search

Tech forum URL: Drop the X's.
XXforums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forumXX

^^^
I just call Bob when I need the good info. :)

It is a real challenge to post there compared to what it once was. As noted, there are hundreds of threads on the same issue. I looked at one regarding a turn signal problem recently. My question (do the backup lights work?) was somewhat ignored and the person was quickly directed to just replace the turn signal stalk assembly (no troubleshooting whatsoever). Eventually, I convinced the person that he was wasting his money by replacing a part with no troubleshooting and he did what I asked and fixed his car pretty quickly. 20 years ago, I posted a lot in the technical area, but never just guessed. I traced diagrams and mostly discussed problems/jobs I had done/was familiar with. I often go back to my old posts and use info from them to help people...but wonder why they did not just find them in a search themselves. Maybe there are just too many on the same thing. I see this in PARF where I usually go back to an earlier thread and add to it vice starting a new thread on the same topic every day. Some days there are 3 or 4 threads going on the same thing with different titles and the same arguments (and often incorrect assumptions) are being reargued the same for the 10th time.

Easy access to the Internet has ruined a lot of the knowledge base by polluting it with crap. I suspect a majority of the replies to any given question are from people that have read about something similar and are just passing on what they read, not what they know. Lots of wrong answers to questions.

Few people take the time to understand a system and troubleshoot it properly, throwing parts at it is the usual solution.

Sooner or later the noise drowns out the good information. Eventually the people that know the answers to the questions get tired of arguing about them with the keyboard mechanics.

The hardest part of using information from the internet is sifting out the BAD advice from the good and knowledgeable advice. The AC threads had a guy that was just a thorn in the sides of the good advice. I feel sorry for anyone that followed his advice. Even when long time professionals told him he was simply wrong, he persisted, and he had zero background in AC work as a pro. He had once worked on his Lexus AC system and that is not much like a 911 system.

Today it lacks the racey builds common before the cars became collectable.
I don't mind if every summer it gets flooded with air conditioning questions.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/207216-mirage-911-rsr-project-pics.html

LOL. Started to mention that one....

I, too, remember that…

This this THIS. ^^^^

I cannot emphasize it enough, I’ve never had any luck with forum search functions, either here or elsewhere. Even when I’m searching for something that I know is there, (because I put it there), using various terms, etc. I’m completely open to the idea that I’m no good at it but it just doesn’t work for me. Ever.

When I google 2010 Mercedes code P-whatever, I get instant hits on various forums with the exact information that I need, plus YouTube videos. I always get Pelican results, if they are here. :)

There truly were “good old days” when it comes to Porsches. The cars, the people, almost everything. Even 20 years ago, when anyone with a job could own a cool 911 and take it out to the track and spend the day with guys like Jack Olsen, Tyson Schmidt and MMarsh.

I’ve always said that if you want to have a good cry, look in the back of an issue of Panorama from the ‘70s or early ‘80s. The classifieds consist of ads for things like 2.2 911S cars and Speedsters owned by enthusiasts making private party sales with all records, mint condition with Konis, etc. Asking $6500. Sigh….

Questions still stand:
which wax is better
which oil should I use
what happened to my dipstick

The oil question has been going on forever. I once had a friend that was among the original members that founded PCA. It was a really small organization then and after he died, his widow sold off some of his Porsche stuff that he didn’t want. I ran across notes he took at some of the early meetings and which oil to use was among the most frequently discussed topics.

When Chuck Stoddard would start any talk he always just did a question and answer. Before the first questions was asked he would write OIL and the top and talk about that. It was always the number one question in the era of air cooled cars. Tires was another standard topic.

The great thing about PCA is they would document those question and answer sessions and publish them in their magazine and later, in their books. I wore out every issue of upfixing and had the whole set.

Did you ever see Chuck’s 917? That had to be the most original 917 I’ve ever laid eyes on.

I once thought about buying a replica 2.8 RSR that a friend of mine had built. He spent a ton of money on it; it had a lot of the correct parts including a proper 2.8l engine and factory steel RSR flares all the way around. I wasn’t happy with a few of the things and was running the numbers to see what it would take to finish it to my liking. One of the parts I was looking at was a torsion bar tube, because the RSR used a different one to accommodate its different trailing arms. I called up Stoddards’s and he had one in stock…. Those were different times, for sure.

Might be time for me to sell my 'cool collar'. The bidding starts at $100....amazing results!

I watched Chuck in his 917 and Duncan Powers in his 908 driving on the track and safe speeds. Both cars sounded great. They would hammer down on the straights and take it easy in the corners. Chuck had an amazing 914 6 GT.