Looking at a 993 RIGHT NOW!

[Leland Pate]

I'm at a dealership outside of Denver looking at a '95 993 C2.

I'm really trying hard not to get too "ooglie-eyed".

I took it for a spin and found a sticking clutch pedal. Something I've ran into in the past with old SC's (manual clutches) but I don't know squat about these 993 clutches. They just took it to a local dealership to have a PPI done and to check out the clutch pedal. Also I keep thinking the idle is a "touch" rough. It could be in my head though.

Assuming everything is fine and they correct the clutch problem. What else should I be thinking of?
I don't have time to do an in-depth search on "issues". I remember one year having a wiring recall, and something about a CIL sensor... but I'm trying to recall. As soon as I submitt this thread, I'm going to do a search on a few of these issues.

Stats:
1995 C2
59K on the odo
Black on tan leather
Two owners/ local car
Asking $37K (Too much but I'm going to try and talk them down on that. I personally think it is a $34K car

Let the comments RIP!

[Leland Pate]

Also, if this year was effected by the wiring problem... how can I check to ensure it was fixed?

And the E-brake light has been coming on intermittently... I assume a faulty idiot light switch.

[on-ramp]

but what happened to the 930? i thought that's what you were really after

[maxnine11]

hello Leland,
A Porsche dealership should be able to tell you if it has been replaced. ( and replaced with the proper harness- the first replacements used the same poor quality plastic wire coating, until they figured out the problem.)
If it hasn't been replaced yet, you should not have to pay anything for the harness replacement job as it is now a recall.

E-brake light problem: i will almost guarantee that the little contact strip by the ebrake handle has slipped out of its slot. It has happened to several people including two or three times to my car. An easy DIY fix if that is what it is.

$37k for a 60k mile '95 seems a little high.
For that $$ the car should be in excellent cosmetic shape, have its 60k service done, and NO needs ( tires, brakes, etc. etc.)

max

[Leland Pate]

When it comes to 930 vs. 993 I am no better than your average politician. I sway... sway... sway...

I haven't been able to find anything related to 993 clutch pedal problems... The dealership just called and siad it was ready for pickup but they didn't say if anything was discovered.

[89turbocabmike]

CEL is a big deal on these, at least in CA for smog. Originally necesitated head removal to clean the emission ports of carbon and of course made it silly not to rebuild the heads(more expense). Many shops have figured ways to get at the ports with engine in the car, but it's still no fun. My nephew bought his '95 with 45K and of course the light came on right before smog time Check out the rennlist 993 board, very active and great guys.

[maxnine11]

the four things that can be done to fix the hanging clutch pedal problem are at the start of this article: http://p-car.com/diy/pedal/

[Superman]

Leland, good to hear from you. You think you don't have time to research the most important questions to ask at this point, and we disagree. I think you don't have time to NOT do that research. I know that early 3.6L engines had that leaking head/cylinder mating surface problem, that is a very expensive fix. Or just let them leak, if you're okay with that. The later 993's, I think, had better motors. At least, I think there was a more robust intake system and a special engine management system.

Also, be aware that this car bears only a passing resemblance to your SC. I saw one from below once, and the suspension was very complex. There are a lot of parts on an '89 that can be bolted to a '72, and vice versa. Virtually none of those parts can be used on a 993. Completely different car.

But I will tell you two things that, in spite of my natural aversion to new car technology, I love about the 993. Simple. It's a spectacularly gorgeous body design, particularly the nose...and they perform wonderfully. Good luck, Leland. Oh, I also wonder about the price. Maybe that's a good price, and you probably know more about that than I. I just know the prices have sharply declined in recent years.

I also know that the 1997 993 TT will be a collector's car. I was once in the same room with two '97 Turbo S cars. Less than 200 were made!

[Leland Pate]

Good info... keep it coming.
I am asking for the carfax and records...
We'll see.

Aside from the CEL being a hinderance to emmissions testing... are there any drivability problems associated to this troublesom doo-hickie?

[maxnine11]

Hi Turbo Mike,
The '95s with OBD I won't trigger a check engine light with clogged air ports. The OBD II cars with their four O2 sensors will recognize clogged air ports and throw a CEL.

I have never heard of a '95 giving a CEL for a clogged secondary air injection system, and am pretty sure the OBD I isn't even capable of such.

Leland, basically '95s can get blocked air ports, but will not affect give a CEL that may make you fail a smog test ( if it pertains to your locale)

[Freeman]

"My nephew bought his '95 with 45K and of course the light came on right before smog time"

On the CEL issue, I am picking up a new (to me!) '95 993 in the morning. '95 has OBD-I and will not trip CEL for secondary-air injection (SAI) issues. The '95 has the SAI, but only OBD-II ('96 and later) will pick up the fault for SAI.

[maxnine11]

re: driveability with clogged air ports.

briefly how it works: There is an air pump that injects air through ports that exit very near the exhaust valves. The pump runs for approx. 1 minute at start-up. This supply of oxygen will cause a lean condition igniting any unburnt fuel, and help the catalytic convertors warm up quicker.

The passages through the heads and cam box are quite small can become clogged with carbon build up from "granny" style driving, or more likely from excessive oil consumption from worn valve guides. Another problem showing up is a couple of small valves by the air pump that are corroding and not allowing air to flow through the ports.

As for driveability problems with clogged ports in a '95: none.
Driveability problems with clogged ports in with a '96 up: none BUT- the CEL will drive you crazy, and if you have to pass a smog test, the light can make you fail; even if you pass at the tailpipe.





max

[Eric Coffey]

Sounds a little high for a `95, IMO, unless it had very low miles.

Here's a few for comparison.

[rcwaldo]

Originally posted by maxnine11
Hi Turbo Mike,
The '95s with OBD I won't trigger a check engine light with clogged air ports. The OBD II cars with their four O2 sensors will recognize clogged air ports and throw a CEL.

I have never heard of a '95 giving a CEL for a clogged secondary air injection system, and am pretty sure the OBD I isn't even capable of such.

Leland, basically '95s can get blocked air ports, but will not affect give a CEL that may make you fail a smog test ( if it pertains to your locale)

As max said, no worries with the '95 as OBD1 is much less 'picky' in that regard. shouldn't have any trouble with oil leaks other than v/c gaskets.

Sticky clutch pedal is almost always cured by a bleeding of that circuit or replacement of the slave. Normally aspirated 993's (also 964) clutch slave is only about $60 from the dealer, not that bad to install, just a little tricky.

As others have said, and not to distract from this great forum, but do check out Rennlist's 993 forum, bunch of current info and great people to boot.

$37K is somewhat high for a car with that mileage. If this is the car YOU like, be sure to negotiate hard with this dealer.

Also check for 'clicking' doors when opened or closed, not really a difficult or life altering fix either.

Have the dealer run the VIN to verify the engine loom has been updated. These are really solid cars all in all..

Have fun!!

Chris Walrod

[motion]

Leland - The CEL could be as simple as the gas cap not on all the way! Seriously! Until its plugged in and the fault code is deciphered, there's just no way of knowing for sure. Even if the wiring harness recall hasn't been done on the car, the dealer should be able to take care of it.

Approx $32-34K seems like the right price for the car if it is in very good condition. Flawless condition might make it worth around $36k.

[89turbocabmike]

My mistake guys, nephew's car IS a '96.

I'll just stick to what I know a litttle about.....930's

I stand by my statement about 993 Rennlisters though!

[pwd72s]

Isn't '96 the 1st year of the varioram intake? If so, a more desirable car than the '95?

[Leland Pate]

Well the results are in.

The car does in fact have a sticking clutch. (Can you believe that) I told them it had a sticking clutch) They didn't diagnose "why". But after reading info posted here I am fairly sure it is due to the slave cylinder being gummed up. Not a deal killer.

They are going to have to sweeten this deal considerably to entice me.

The PPI revealed a leaky rear main seal, inop. horn and the need of a 60K service.
They also said it would need a new clutch but didn't say "why".

So, I still like the car but frankly, it is not worth $37K.... More like $31K in my book.

So, unless the dealer is off his rocker, I will be walking out of here tonight. The search continues. No biggie.

I don't mind buying a car that needs attention, but the asking price should reflect it.

Overall, it's in nice shape... couple scratches... little bit of curb rash on a wheel and the clearcoat has chipped from all four calipers.

[rcwaldo]

Leland, you have the right frame of mind--no hurry.. With the work that this one needs, low $30's is about right..

Take your time and have fun!!

The 993 is truly a great car!!

I have enjoyed my 1995 model tremendously!

Chris Walrod

[Leland Pate]

993 owners:

I figured out what was causing what I was describing as "rough idle". When the A/C compressor kicks on it stiffles the idle a bit.

Is this normal?