Newbie DIY

So finally this weekend I am going to start my own maintenence on my car. Any help from the older more wiser porsche gurus would be helpful

On my to do list:

Oil Change
Oil Filter Change
Transmission Oil Flush with ???? before swepco
Turbo Tie Rod installation
Check Brake Pads
Check some finicky wiring
Interior and exterior detailing

Thanks

82SC

"Check some finicky wiring" --- often just unplugging and replugging the suspect circuit is enough to identify dirty contacts as the "mysterious" problem --- then you can clean those thoroughly or replace if severe corrosion.

HAHAHA
experienced that already...under the dash...started pulling wires to find out what they were connected too...all of a sudden the dash lights up like a christmas tree...the FAN, DEF OFF, and Defroster symbol light up...even funnier because the bulbs were hanging out like christmas tree lights...never knew they did...surprised me...I learn something new everytime I dig around the old girl...that is what makes it so damn fun...even discovered that the ashtray has a light...what will those clever German elves think of next...(hope that does not offend any german elves...that hey Y'all post is scary)

Saw your post in "Y'all...." (I'm staying out of it) but...

"More entertaining then spinning my 911SC in the wet...hitting the curb...and ripping my front chin spoiler...putting my alignment off my another 2 degrees and having to spend the money that was ment for my new sport seat to fix it..."

We have more in common than bad wiring = Same exact thing I did to mine !!!!... or was it you in my car and I was just dreaming I was driving that day --- does that mean you owe me for the repairs? Or was I driving your car that day and I owe you? DejaVu all over again again again

(and watch this next line! DejaVu all over again again again !)
my current P-car.... 1982 911SC !

and I used to live in (most of my life)...
L.A. !!! DejaVu all over again again again

[This message has been edited by tog (edited 11-09-2000).]

hahaha
don't tell me yours is champange (a nice way fo saying gold)with the chocolate brown interior...with H4's and euro tail lights...if so I think you owe me 300 for a new spoiler and an alignment job...as well as 15,000 for a 3.0 to 3.2L upgrade...SSI's...MFI..915 rebuild...Fuch 8" for the rear...new seals...momo competition...pelicanparts guage rebuild...short shift kit...RUF front valence...carrera wing...leather sport seats...new headliner...ahhh....I digress...

Sounds like a full weekend. Detailing, detailing . . . Ahhh yes detailing. After washing your baby with a mild car wash you may want to get some 3M Glazing compound and give it a good glazing. Goes on like wax but doesn't have the protection. Follow the glazing compound up with a nice coat of wax. The car is small so the time and effort is comparable to waxing a larger car. (Rationalize everything!!!!) I prefer the liquid only because of the ease of use and the fact I wax about every two weeks (my baby is garaged and under a cover at work). You may want to go to a hard canuba (SP?) wax if you baby is exposed to the sun or other elements. Remember, the first rains are coming. I don't know where you live but for me, In OC CA, that means acid rains. Yuck!!! Good luck and enjoy. Don't forget to take her out for a spin after wards.

Nah, wasn't me driving that day uhhh, let's see, uhhh, would you believe I went completely blind years ago and don't drive much anymore... or, uhh, my car is a fiberglass job on a Fiero, or uhhh, woops, sorry got the year wrong - mine's a 1952 model, or uhh, any other lie you might believe so's I don't gotta rob Fort Knox to pay for damages !!!!!! $$$$$ !!!!! haha

Hey pbs911...it is me...they guy you are going to buy the turbo tie rod tools from...I am going to performance products tomorrow to pick them up...and pelican to pick stuff up there...and then to rennspeed motorsports to crank out a deal for the sport seats...

Enjoy your maintenance. I agree these cars are fun to 'discover.' After I whined, just after purchase, about having to take the engine out for a clutch, my friend said "Jim, you're missing something. these cars are made to be taken apart."

Indeed, they are quite simple to work on and maintain, once you've done it.

As a quick example, I deal with my seatbelts recently which required removing the interior panels, including the big rear panel. Took me a while, but now that I know how, I think I could have it apart in 30 seconds after removing the ten screws.

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'83 SC

I agree.. When I got my 78 SC two years ago, I bought it and it had to be painted. I drove it straight to the paint shop. It was taken completely apart and painted. Then the guy went our of business and I had to tow the car back tp my garage in parts. But at least it was painted. I ended up putting the whole car back together myself! And I didn't even take it apart. Nonetheless, two weeks later I was driving my dream!!! Talk about a job. It did make me immediately "one" with my car.

A suggestion on the electrical connectors. Buy some tuner cleaner at Radio Shack and spray it in your connectors and then plug nnd unplug them several times to clean them out.

Also has has anyone ever tried adding B-12 chem tool to the tranny oil and maybe backing down the driveway and back up before draining the gear oil? Maybe it's a hair brained idea but it seams like it might work.

Bobby

"tuner cleaner " --- sounds good --- a solvent for dissolving electrical corrosion gook? (that icky blue stuff)

Wow cool...I would have never thought of that one...is this stuff corrosive? Do I have to becareful not to get it on stuff other then then connector themselves?

Dont forget the fuel filter.

Alcohol should be in everyone's garage arsenal and it works just great on electrical contacts. Then, a thin coating of Dow Corning 111 will prevent future corrosion. This stiff comes in a green tube and can be a little hard to find. I found it in an industrial hydraulic hose place. Aviation mechanic shops have it too. Proper maintenance of electrical connectors will prevent many mysterious car problems.

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'83 SC

Tuner cleaner works well and is non corrosive,however I would not leave it or any other chemical on a painted surface. I have used it on ....tuners....and on my hi beam switch and interior lamp switch with excellent results. I can now flash all P cars !!!!

Alcohol in the garage for cleaning and detailing jobs? Yes, Indeed. Glen Livet is preferred, but most any single malt will do.

Lexol Vinylex (sp?) for the vinyl is a must. No Armorall. It attracts dust and makes cleaning more difficult the next time.

David

Well, as long as we're at it, two kinds of alcohol are garage basics. I agree that the highland single malts are the absolute best, but there is much variety here. I used mineral spirits as a general solvent. It doesn't attack stuff including my hands, much, and cleans well. I have some stuff from the auto paint store that removes wax, and this is an essential chemical, for windshields for example. Chrome polish works well on windshields too, believe it or not. And almost everything leaves a residue except alcohol which is why this chemical is so important. Dishwashing detergent is too harsh for your paint. Use a car wash or garden hose on everything you will work on, especially brake parts. Try to keep a clean work area and block cars VERY SECURELY before getting under them. Give 10% to the church and save 10%. Never draw on an inside straight and never, NEVER discuss politics on an internet bulletin board dedicated to Porsches.

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'83 SC