Just finished my first service !

[soup dragon]

Ive owned the car about 8 months and apart from repairing the dme relay,fabbing some door panels and fitting a new steering wheel,i havnt got my hands too oily.
Armed with Waynes book and loads of info from the forum everything went really well.
Strangely the thing i thought would be the trickiest..the plugs was the easiest (the factory tool is brilliant),and the air filter i thought would be a 2 min job took quite a while due to one of the clips holding the air box cover on ,was at the back of the box covered by a load of thick tubes-after much arm twisting and gymnastics i managed the unclip the the rear ,replace the filter and clip it back up again.
I replaced the distributor cap and rotor after getting the cap on the wrong way ! i discovered it was notched underneath...doh !
Jacked the car up and bought a 3 gallon cheap bucket for the oil change,didnt get too much on the drive !
I used castrol gtx high milage oil so it will be interesting to see if my small oil leaks stop -the old oil was valvoline synpower (synthetic)
The car seems defintately smoother than before,i think the dis cap and rotor were quite worn looking at the contacts.
Total cost for oil ,plugs,filters,washers,cap and rotor £92

Many thanks to everyone on the board who have posted info in the past ,its given me the confidence to do it myself.

[Rot 911]

Now let the hotrodding begin!

[soup dragon]

Got to save up my pennies for a new exhaust first as the one on there looks a bit worn out

[911FL]

I have been a little apprehensive about the plugs since it seems they are buried under a lot of stuff (AC compressor, heat system, etc.). Any hints that may give me a bit more confidence in tackling the plugs? By the way, the air filter was a pain here too.

[Ronbo]

Originally posted by 911FL
I have been a little apprehensive about the plugs since it seems they are buried under a lot of stuff (AC compressor, heat system, etc.). Any hints that may give me a bit more confidence in tackling the plugs? By the way, the air filter was a pain here too.

Unbolt the compressor from it's base (don't disconnect any lines!), wrap a towel around it, and lay it out of the way on the fender. Lots of room now! And by all means use the factory spark plug tool as it's a perfect fit.

[soup dragon]

Mine is a uk car without A/C so i didnt have that trouble.
The right bank of cylinders was easier the left i had to remove the fan ducting (1 screw and a jubilee clip )
Make sure your engine is cold before changing plugs (less chance of crossthreading them when putting em in)
The porsche tool really grips the plugs well just pull the old ones out slowly,it also has a knurled grip so you can tighten them buy hand to start them off before using your 10mm allen key.
I also started the car breifly after fitting each new plug just to ensure i got the connections ok.
Good luck

[makaio]

Congrats! It was about 4 years ago that I performed my first oil change, valve adjustment, and added pressure fed tensioners to my SC.. It's such a rewarding feeling.

[azasadny]

Where are the pics of the car?

[Hendog]

Way to go! This is what I am preparing to do as well. I've had my P-car for 10 mos now. I had it serviced soon after purchase, but now am looking forward to doing the brakes pads, caliper rebuild, brake fluid bleed, clutch bleed, tranny oil change, engine oil change and hopefully will have the courage to adjust the valves.

I've been spending a lot of time reading this board. Also, I purchased the 101 projects book as well as the Bentley manual. I'm slowly putting together the "knowledge" to do the work; the parts are on my "project list". I hope to soon DO the work.

You have now accomplished what I am anticipating: the first service performed by self. Congratulations! It must be a great feeling!

[soup dragon]

Heres a pic of the car,not very good waiting for some brighter weather so i can take some fresh pics.
My wife and the kids in back-they still fit



Thanks for all the replies,I thought about doing the valves but was put off when a porsche mech said it would take him half a day -for me that would be several days ! anyhow the valves were done at a porsche garage according to my invoices about 5k ago (2 years) so i can let it wait a while until my skill improves.
i rarely see another p-car in shropshire so this forum gives me my "fix" of porsche enthusiasm.
cheers stu

[bill3667]

OK, I've looked in the PP online tool cat., the 101 Projects book and can't find what the "factory spark plug tool" looks like. Is this the one that comes in the cars tool kit? I have that one but not sure if that's what is considered the factory tool.

I have several vs. of spark plug sockets in the tool chest already but can always fit one more if it makes the job easier.

Bill W.

[cactusdtd]

I still haven't tackled the valve adjustment yet. A little chicken I guess. Don't know why because in my younger days on two air-cooled VW's I adjusted valves several times a year on both cars. Did all the maintenance back then. I guess since I have other pressing things to do on my weekends, I only tackle things that are 8 hour (max) jobs.

[Steve87-911]

Originally posted by 911FL
I have been a little apprehensive about the plugs since it seems they are buried under a lot of stuff (AC compressor, heat system, etc.). Any hints that may give me a bit more confidence in tackling the plugs? By the way, the air filter was a pain here too.

I've done the plugs with the compressor still installed. Oh, and just remove the heater blower intake pipe...easy.
And a skinny arm helps to get to number 6. And as others have said, the factory spark plug tool helps a ton.

As far as adjusting the valves go, I used to be able to do VW valves in less than an hour. But the 911 valves, being harder to reach, and one at least (#6 again?) requiring you do it blind, has so far made me defer that to my wrench. (ok, I'm Chicken!)
It seemed like a small price to pay for saving me too many hours of swearing and wondering if I got it right.

[Steve87-911]

911FL: “If only I could remember my name”

Ha....The Croz.

[blue82coupe]

Soupdragon. Congratulations on your 1st porsche project. To quote some others on this board " It's a slippery slope".Have fun,and in (2) years you'll be stuffing a 3.6 litre up the backside of your ride.Dan

[soup dragon]

Bill3667 yes m8 its the one that came with your car.
The thing with the spring on the pic below