Cost and timing of valve adjustment?

moazam · moazam's Garage

Looking over the receipts on the '86 911 I bought, I see that the PO had a minor service done every 3k miles, and a major service at 157k miles.

The car is now at 171k miles and has had minor services performed every 3k miles, but the only "complete maint. service" was done 14,000 miles ago.

I'm assuming the complete maint. service included a valve adjustment, at least I really hope so. I see 'valve cover gaskets' on the work order when the complete maint. service was done.

So my question is, am I due for a valve adjustment? How often should a 'complete maint. service" be done? Oh...and how much should something like that cost (in the Bay Area)?

Typical Fish · Typical Fish's Garage

DO IT YOURSELF.

Buy "101 Projects" from our host (or Borders like I did, sorry Wayne) and about 100.00 worth of tools.

It really is alot easier than you think, and will give you an incredible feeling of ownership and accomplishment.

Oh, yeah, and save you about 5-600 bucks in theprocess. On the low side.

moazam · moazam's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Typical Fish
DO IT YOURSELF.

Buy "101 Projects" from our host (or Borders like I did, sorry Wayne) and about 100.00 worth of tools.

It really is alot easier than you think, and will give you an incredible feeling of ownership and accomplishment.

Oh, yeah, and save you about 5-600 bucks in theprocess. On the low side.

I was thinking about that...it doesn't look like the engine needs to be dropped for the valve adjustment.

Is there anything else I need to do in a 'complete maintanence service' ?

Typical Fish · Typical Fish's Garage

Pelican actually sells a "kit"; oil, air, and fule filters, Valve cover gaskets, plugs, etc. for a good price, and it saves you from gathering all the bits. Buy belt(s) too. Also, spend the 30 bucks on a flourescent tube-style shop light; it makes all the difference being able to see what you are working on, and you can put it where you need it and leave it there.

Do a search, it was quite helpful to see everyone's advice.

moazam · moazam's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Typical Fish
Pelican actually sells a "kit"; oil, air, and fule filters, Valve cover gaskets, plugs, etc. for a good price, and it saves you from gathering all the bits.

I must be really bad at the searching on Pelican.. :/ (I searched for valve kit, valve adjustment, etc.)

Do you have the part number for this valve kit?

Typical Fish · Typical Fish's Garage

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/RENN/por_RENN_911kit_main.htm

Also, make sure you purchase a feeler gauge and extra set of blades. A regular one will not work.

moazam · moazam's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Typical Fish
http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/RENN/por_RENN_911kit_main.htm

Also, make sure you purchase a feeler gauge and extra set of blades. A regular one will not work.

Thanks, I saw that but didn't realize that was the kit needed for valve adjustment.

Which 'blades' are you referring to?

Typical Fish · Typical Fish's Garage

The feeler blades on some gauges are a separate piece, and sometimes get bent with use. The extra 2-3 bucks is cheap insurance against getting held up.

Look here, too:

Another valve adjustment post...

Formerly Steve Wilkinson · 09-23-2003, 12:48 AM

Get Doug Zielke's special feeler gauge, made by him specifically for 911 valve adjustment. It's vastly better than an ordinary gap gauge.

Stephan

Doug Zielke · 09-23-2003, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Formerly Steve Wilkinson
Get Doug Zielke's special feeler gauge, made by him specifically for 911 valve adjustment. It's vastly better than an ordinary gap gauge.

My name is Doug Zielke, and I do not manufacture or sell the aforementioned gauge.
That product was designed and made by another member here (island911) for our benefit. Do a search. It is a fine tool; yes, far better than the common Porsche tool.

Formerly Steve Wilkinson · 09-23-2003, 07:29 AM

Sorry, I thought I'd bought it through you.

Stephan

juanbenae · juanbenae's Garage

moa, should you need a walk through of it i know a shop that will let yopu "observe" the valve ajustment. its between $250-300 depending on what parts you supply.

PM me for details.

old_skul · 09-23-2003, 07:48 AM

Don't do it yourself.

Unless you have experience adjusting valves on other cars, your best bet is to take it to a mechanic who will let you observe and question him as he does it.

I spent two days adjusting my valves the first time. When I started it up, it was looser than when I started. I took it to a mechanic who adjusted them overnight for $250.

yeuporsch · 09-23-2003, 08:30 AM

It is very easy to do. It takes a few tries to get it right. If you didn't get it right the first time, just start over. You will gain a lot of confidence. I am not a car mechanic by any means. But through this board and help from Pelican members, I been a ble to do a valve adjustment, change out to SSI, Ignitor upgrade, interior renewal, and now changing out ball joint, tie rod ends, new bushing for the front a- arms. And most of all, learnt how to tune those Weber carb. Just have a lot of patience.

John

ZCAT3 · 09-23-2003, 08:38 AM

I'm with k911sc and Old Skull - unless you have experience with car maintenance, do not try to tackle this one right away on your own. You really need to have a Porsche mechanic handy in any case (for other projects that may not be DIY jobs), so now is a good time to meet a mechanic and perhaps get a primer on adjusting valves. The shop I use is CT Automotive in Campbell. They let me watch a valve adjustment and talked me through it. The next time I was able to do it myself.

yeuporsch · 09-23-2003, 09:08 AM

It is very easy to do. It takes a few tries to get it right. If you didn't get it right the first time, just start over. You will gain a lot of confidence. I am not a car mechanic by any means. But through this board and help from Pelican members, I been a ble to do a valve adjustment, change out to SSI, Ignitor upgrade, interior renewal, and now changing out ball joint, tie rod ends, new bushing for the front a- arms. And most of all, learnt how to tune those Weber carb. Just have a lot of patience.

John

juanbenae · juanbenae's Garage

ct is a great choice too. they did the ppi on my car on the previous lookers dime. i called don at ct and told him that so&so had paid for the ppi and i was now looking at the car with a copy of the report. i asked him if i could come in and pay him for a 1/2 hour or so to go over the report. he said no way but if you can wait between phone calls he could give me all the time i needed.