I finally did it! First DIY wrench experience (long)

[Big Ed]

It's been 2 years since I bought the first Porsche, during which time I've been studying the boards and trying to learn more about the cars. I've paid some serious dollars to very capable wrenches to keep my habit in tune.

End of last year, before putting the cars into storage, I noted that the alternator on my 930 was getting noisy. Mental note to address that come spring. Having had all winter to gather my courage, I decided I was ready and ordered the new alternator to install myself (already armed with the Bentley manual and 101 Projects).

This past Wednesday was fairly warm (48 degrees, warm for MA in March). so I played hooky in the afternoon to do it. Intercooler off...check. AC belt off...check. Alternator pulley...DAMN, what's the deal here? After much effort, got that off and worked my way down the process.

Got stuck for a while at getting alternator out of the fan housing, getting PO'd, took a break and did a search on Pelican. John Walker's advice was spot on, just like I'd heard on these boards so often...JW is the MAN!

Putting it all back together, that fan is giving me grief again. Something just doesn't seem right. Refer to "other" 911 in the driveway, and there you go, looks like the fan and outer pulley are toast. Battlefield decision, the targa is giving up her parts for her big sister. Got it all back together and good to go! YAY!

I realize that this isn't a huge project, it's not a motor rebuild for god's sake, but it felt big to me. Thanks to all on this board without whom I'd never had the courage to take on anything larger than an oil change in my fun ride!

BTW, project 2, done today, was replacing the turn signal/dimmer switch that went bad. Piece o' cake. Feeling more comfortable workling on the car more & more....

Had a fine ride today with the top down too. Good for the soul after a long, cold, New England winter.

[pwd72s]

[jazzbass]

Welcome to the slippery slope of 911 DIY. I give you two months before you're shoppping machine shops for your upcoming rebuild .

[89turbocabmike]

Nice job Ed! That's how the real addiction starts

[AirCooledExcellence]

Well done Ed!

That's a pretty awkward job to start out with, those nuts on the air deflector are a right PITA!

Cheers,

Tim.

[jester911]

Way to got Ed. With this board as a backup, there really isn't much of anything that can't be done.

I was alot like you with my car. I went the first year or so of ownership having everything done by a mechanic.

I even had my first oil change done by him.

Now I try to do as much myself as I can.

I just in the last two months probably saved 5 or 6 hundred dollars in mechanics fees. I replaced front and rear brake rotors and pads.
Also replaced an oil sensor/switch that I diagnosed through using the search function here. Part cost 13 dollars and it really wasn't a big deal.

And as is mentioned here alot, the feeling of satisfaction from having done it yourself is great.

[deanp]

Ed,

Where in Worcester County are you. I live in Southbridge and work in Leominster so I can't be more than 45min to an hour from you. If you ever need a hand with anything let me know.

Dean

[svandamme]

congrats... i bought mine in august last year, started my first project... and still working on it... can't even remember how my car sounds... it's that long ago...

oh well, with some luck , my new valve covers will be arriving tomorrow, might get the engine ready for putting it back in the car next weekend... might need a sick day at work for that though... stomach problems caused by the stress from prolonged abscence of my 911

[makaio]

Awesome! It's such a great feeling after you acomplish something like that.

I had the exact oposite recently happen to me. I have been taking care of both my 911's myself, with the exception of mixture adjustments up untill two weeks ago. My clutch was going out in a big way on my 86, and the tranny was due for a refresh as well. With Spring upon us, no time to work on it, and no place to do it right now, I bit the bullet and paid the shop to do the deed for me, so that I could enjoy it when I am off from work.

[azasadny]

Ed,
Congratulations! That's a good "first project"! I'm sure there will be others soon...