Mandatory Things To Do When You Buy a Used 911

[1982911SCTarga]

My 22-year-old car did not have any service history so I am going through everything just to be sure.

Bill and I are both members of the 911 VDO clock repair world domination plot. We have ways of making them tock!

Brian

[Bill in OKC]

I have learned Hirschmann auta 6000U and 6000EL antenna repair too!!!!

[1982911SCTarga]

Bill, my time is coming for that one, too.

Brian

[Por_sha911]

4. Put the car up on jack stands and get under it.
This should be 4b. 4a should read:
Learn where to place your jack and how to safely jack up your car.

I will also add to your list:
-Learn where the search button is located
-Buy Wayne's 101 Projects book and memorize it.

[jose luis]

This will be a good "health checklist for any early 911/912 owner" and I will add the revision of the Fuel Lines to avoid any leak that could lead to a Fire !.

JL Garcia
912, 1968
Toluca , Mexico.

[randywebb]

Be sure the rubber throttle linkage coupler has been upgraded to the newer part with a steel cup around the rubber.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/295201-when-throttle-linkage-coupler-breaks.html#post2719927

[Wayne 962]

Get AAA 100 mile tow.

-Wayne

[Nevergrowup]

The first thing I thought of when I jumped into this thread, was something I'm going to do when I finally will get a 911, not the technical stuff.

It was this:

Drive down town, roll down windows, and screeeeeeam full throttle through the tunnel!

By the way, new member, not yet a owner but have serious plans to be one. My plan in high school was to get a 911 before reaching 30, but now 40 will have to do... :-)

[defcon65]

Buy a gold herringbone choker and fake Rolex.

[M.D. Holloway]

Originally posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts
Get AAA 100 mile tow.

-Wayne

Augment that with having at least 3 (semi) local pelicans on cell phone speed dial and optional web-link on cell phone for those emergency posts on a Sunday afternoon.

[glenncal1]

1AA.First thing to do before all others- Put good looking Wife/Girlfriend in passenger seat dressed and make up to the 9's. Drive by your other Porscheless friends houses to show them new car and hot babe. The woman's babe factor goes up at least 2 points when riding in Porsche.

[nigel911]

Get a good line of credit.

[azasadny]

Find a good Porsche mechanic to do your PPI, then stick with that mechanic for the "big stuff" that you can't (or don't want to) handle.

[randywebb]

Go thru the entire fuse box(es) and be absolutely certain that a previous owner (PO) has not put fuses with too high a rating in -- this can cause an electrical fire and burn your car to to cinders -- you too can be burned or asphyxiated in a fire.

check each fuse againt the value given on the cover or in the Owners Manual or Technical Spcifications booklet.

If you don't have the latter two items -- buy them!

______________________________________--
Check all the evaporative emissions gas vapor hoses in the trunk (do a search on those terms to find several threads on replacing them and what they do).

If these hoses are colored brown and/or hard, then you will need to replace them. They get this way over the years because they react with gasoline vapors. This is a safety issue -- the gas vapors are right next to the battery area and will also be coming into the cabin for you to breathe. Even low levels of gas vapor cause cancer, mutations, and birth defects -- mainly b/c of the benzene in gasoline. Those are long term risks and are greater for children and women, esp. if pregnant or lactating than for adult males. Of course, you may die in a fire from the gas vapors first...

So, don't wax the car first - fix it first & wax it later.

[Jon Merck]

On CIS cars check for old cracked, swelling rubber hose's at the fuel pump. This one is very dangerous! Last year mine ruptured and scared the bejebers out of me.

[Kelly Bell]

I got one! Crawl under the car and check the CV boots!

[MARTIN AIDE]

check wheel bearings,Marty

[SRL84Car]

Buy a good PPI from a shop recommended here. Take the items off of the inspection list, transfer them to a spreadsheet and call it your "To Do" list. Keep good track of all the things you buy and install and log repairs and modifications closely.

Do not discount the value of the "Italian tune up". These cars should be driven as the German engineers intended them to be, with spirit within your skill level. My PPI indicated "hunting idle", I cured that on some back roads and I-5!

Buy the 101 Projects book, the Bentley manual and Bruce Anderson's book, read them and follow this forum closely (learn to search or be prepared to get flamed!).

Finally, again, drive it to your skill level and take the many opportunities to improve your skill level.

[Wil Ferch]

Lotsa this stuff should be done as part of a PPI..as someone said.

I second the fuse / electrical checks...

I second the caution on lifting a car..and knowing where lift points are. Easy to mess up....dimple the floor...crush underbelly lines...etc.

I *don't* agree on the universal check of seeing whether moon washers are on the CV joints or not. My stock 85 ( for example) shows these as being there per manuals...but mine doesn't have them ( and others) either have or don't have them as delivered from the factory...this is one of the most perplexing issues I've found as to "how" the car was supposed to be delivered new. There are simply too many variations. I would , however.....check whatever you have as CV fasteners to see they're not loose. About 31-35 ft-lbs for 8mm and 59-60 ft-lbs for the 10mm.

I would check the archives on where to *add* fuses that should be there...but aren't.

I would also suggest knowing how to insert a gasoline hose into the fill neck ( upside-down ! )...so as not to get splash-back or premature shut-off.

I'd read up on oil changes..proper catch can size...and use of catch cans that are either open-top or have PLENTY of holes on the top closed surface. You'll know why the first time you DON'T do this !!


- Wil

[livi]

Check and if necessary update the tool kit in the front compartment.

Learn to love your valve adjustment tool - the most beautiful little gadget ever invented...

Any drive should be at least 15 - 20 miles long to really get the temp up. Go easy on the loud pedal until warm. Be gentle with the agriculture 915 box (where applicable). It needs a bit a patience and precision - but then its wonderful if its in good shape. Anything used in the iconic 2.7RS should be honored, no ?

Wear a smug grin - accnowledging you are now Living the Legend !