1990 C2 Targa

bcheney · 05-09-2004, 06:18 AM

I am considering buying a 1990 C2 Targa. The care has 70,000 miles on it with a pretty complete book of service records. It is very clean and seems to have been well cared for. Have not been able to drive the car yet as it is in storage. That will happen later this week. Since these cars had a history of Cylinder head leaks I am a little apprenhensive. There are no service records of any dealer doing warranty work for this potential problem. I have read both the Porsche 911 buyers Guide (by Leffingwell) and Porsche 911 performance handbook (by Anderson). They both say only a small % of these models had the problem. However it could run up a bill of around $5K. Does anyone now if Porsche North America would be able to tell me if the work had been done by one of their dealers if I give them the VIN? How concerned should I be about this if the car checks out strong on the test drive?

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

$5K - They haven't priced a complete rebuild lately using new P & C's. To properly fix a cylinder head issue - you need to replace both (and machine the case) - I think it was BA who said it's not a question IF the 1990-1991 3.6 will need this fix completed - but when.

Emission · Emission's Garage

Get a PPI (Pre-Purchase Inspection) by a Porsche mechanic.

I'd be concerned about a car in storage. Small issues can creep up on cars that are not driven (moisture in fuel tank, brake lines, etc...).

Britwrench · 05-09-2004, 09:43 AM

You can, and we do, re-machine the existing heads and cylinders (if they are within wear tolerance spec) to repair this problem. Plenty of other shops do the same thing.

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Britwrench
You can, and we do, re-machine the existing heads and cylinders (if they are within wear tolerance spec) to repair this problem. Plenty of other shops do the same thing.

So $5K is not out of line? When I had my C2 (1990) I was told not to reuse because it was difficult to machine AND keep the Cylinders in spec. Maybe my wrench just trying to seprate me from my Money?

Britwrench · 05-09-2004, 01:45 PM

It depends on what was worn. If the wear on the cylinders was sufficient to be out-of -spec, then you need new ones. The heads are relatively easy to machine, there is a Porsche special tool to hold them for machining. The only machining on the cylinders is to accept a seal ring at the top.
A lot of the early cars have already been modified, one way or another, to repair the potential leak. If it was a customer pay job then there will be no info at Porsche and there's no way of seeing it either.
Personally, if the rest of the car is perfect and you are going to keep it for a long time, just accept that maybe you might need to do the engine one day. It's a used car, things go wrong.

bcheney · 05-09-2004, 03:07 PM

Are you saying if a Porsche Dealer did the work then you could find a record of it or do I understand you to say that no matter who did it, if you don't have a service record receipt you won't know? On page 48 of the 911 Performance Handbook by Anderson he says that " The cars built in 1990 (L) are susceptiple to the cylinder head to cylinder leaking problem. He goes on to say the early cars were those built up to 62 M 06836, M64.01 for the manual transmission cars. Where do these numbers appear? I am guessing they are the numbers stamped on the case? Final thought, if I have the motor leak tested and it checks out good should it be safe to say the car either had the leak problem and it was fixed properly or given that it has 70000 miles on it the motor won't have this kind of problem until much later in it's life? Thanks for your input.

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

Here's my 1990 C2 Targa at 72,000 miles. the PPI at 62,000 said it had a oil leak around the power steering pump and missed the cylinder head leak!

bcheney · 05-09-2004, 05:33 PM

Thanks Jeremy. Did you get rid of your C2? Would like to talk to via phone about that car if you don't mind. I am Florida as well. Your Cab looks great, especially with your little girl inside! Gotta get'em started young.

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

It was hit by a yellow cab - rear ended - totalled the car - I got out with a sore neck - that's all.

I'll PM my phone number and email address. I still miss my C2 - It was more expensive to maintain - but a hoot to drive.