Captain's Log -- Day 18

[ej_glutton]

Day 18 of Porsche ownership involved putting the car on a flatbed tow truck for its first trip to the mechanic. A "minor" idle / stalling out at stop signs issue degraded into a horrible bucking / stalling out problem that nearly left me stranded about a mile from home. Bucked so bad I thought a bullet had somehow found its way into the bullet-proof G50. Turned out only to be a bad ignition coil. While it was in the shop, I had the mechanic look deeper into a "clunk" in the steering rack. About $1,400 later, both issues were resolved...she was "clunk" free & running like a champ.

This first trip to the doctor left me w/ a few questions...your input on any / all would be welcomed...

1. Will spending $1400 on my weekend-only car/toy get easier as time goes on? Will the sick feeling be not so bad next time (and the times after that)? Will my wife continue to believe me when I state "Honey, even after we pay this bill, I could sell it to 10 guys tomorrow & we'd get our money back"? I think I'm a Porsche guy, but these lingering thoughts worry me.

2. Do mechanics mark-up the prices on parts? The parts costs coil & steering rack listed on the repair order seemed a bit high compared to the list prices on our host's site. I'm cool w/ a wrench recouping some cost for their time ordering/handling; I also realize they probably pay a premium if there is overnight shipping involved. But I figured I paid about double for the coil & about 15% extra for the rack. It's my first time...just curious.

3. Three mechanics (mine & 2 from PO) have suggested that the clutch be replaced sometime soon...still works but slips during initial engagement at hard throttle. It's original & has about 124k miles. P&L quoted at about $1800. I'm sure it will go out as some very un-opportune time, like when I'm 100 miles from no where. I think I'm gonna bite the bullet & do it now. Peace of mind is priceless, but $1800 is a lot of money. Am I spending money now that might not be needed to be spent?

Thanks for your time,

[goliver]

I'd do the clutch. If it is slipping now it is only gonna get worse. Probably won't strand you unless you live in a really hilly area. Once you get the deferred maintenance up to snuff she should be bullet proof for years. Just stay on top of the maintenance and drive it like you rented it. These cars love to be hammered hard.

If you are at all handy, get a workshop manual and learn to wrench on the car yourself. Tons of help here and rennlist.com. Save thousands and can start the slippery slope of mods sooner!

Cheers,

Geoff

[chris57]

1. I hope it gets easier for you to spend $1400.00. These cars will easily suck that kind of money from someone who can not do the work themselves.

2. Yes on the mark up. I own a repair shop ( not porsche but bmw and mercedes) We buy parts and put them on customers car and charge a fair mark up and we stand behind the part with a warranty. If part fails we change for free labor included with in a specified time period. I can not think of any industry that does not mark up its materials.

3. I am not sure if I have heard of a 911 clutch going that amount of miles. If it slips replace it now. I cant think it is much fun to drive if it slips when you put your foot in it, that is what they are for.

One thought Your car was probably 40k new, when it gets older it is still a 40k car to fix but add in labor rates that have tripled since car was new.

Second thought, quality early porsche repair is a lost art ( at least in sacramento area) so is going to cost alot.

One more thought, in the world of m3's, e55's and other hotrod current cars that I work on, I would rather drive my 1985 carrera any day. You just cant replace the early porsche feel. Sorry for rant but I say spend the money, give the wife some money to spend and go for a drive early on sunday morning when everyone else is asleep, roll the windows down and listen to the flat six rooooaaaaarrrr!!!!!!

[9dreizig]

Wow $1400!! think of the tools that could have bought!! Sorry , but you've got to wrench it yourself. It's not rocket surgery,,, get Waynes books, buy some tools, get your hands dirty!

[kach22i]

Originally posted by ej_glutton
a "clunk" in the steering rack. About $1,400 later,

I think an Australian paid at least that much, it was in his currency which is worth more that the US dollar.

Not a job you want to do your self they said.

Link:
Steering column bushing ordered...any tips?

Clutch NOTE: make sure they don't charge you $900 to drop the engine, it should cost half that.

[Erik Mckenna]

I say take the time.. and learn to do the work yorself and the bills are not that bad at all!
PLUS! you learn the car.. and that is a GREAT thing. then the money saved can be reallocated into go-fast GOODIES!


Good luck.. don't give up yet! these things happen..

[euro911sc]

hehehe gee you got off easy! my first trip to the doctor cost me near $1700 and about 9 months of time with the car in and out till it was fixed... long story, but basically I got the shaft... literally (transmission issue).

So... Never worked on a car before I got the 911... I figured I would pay myself $90/hr to learn how to do stuff and do it right. I can't really count how much $ I have saved...

The clutch is probably an easier thing to do... you just have to pull the engine/tranny This is actually something that is fairly simple and a common thing for 911 maint. so once you get over the fear you are golden.

There are a bunch of Pelicans in Austin so rustle up some birds, feed them beer and pizza, and participate while you make great friends and get a new clutch! This will save you probably $1300... with the right guys it will take less than 3 hours.

There is the cost of tools to think about, but you may be able to visit a new friend in their garage for this first experience. Or they may be willing to bring some along.

Best regards,

Michael

PS if you were in FL you could come by my place then again, if you wait a few months I might be moving to Austin anyway...

[ajackson]

I think most of us had to dump some money in our new cars relatively soon after purchase. For the most part though, you aren't going to be spending that amount of money all the time. I think you should expect to spend some amount for upkeep and repairs. I've heard estimates on this board of something around $1500 per year.

[pookie]

My first time to the shop I got boned for only $200 and I vowed never again. Now there has been once or twice I have had to take my car to shop but everything else I have done with the help of this board, some books, and some now good friends.

Also check and see if you can take your own parts to the shop. Some shops allow you to bring in the parts to be put on but they won't warranty them like chris57 does his. Just a thought.

[KFC911]

Originally posted by 9dreizig
....Sorry , but you've got to wrench it yourself. It's not rocket surgery,,, get Waynes books, buy some tools, get your hands dirty!

Yep! I couldn't have imagined working on a 911 a year or so before discovering these boards and getting the "itch". Now I look back and am amazed at all the things I've done. A mechanic hasn't touched my car in over 5 years, jump in

[nhromyak]

Originally posted by chris57

Second thought, quality early porsche repair is a lost art ( at least in sacramento area) so is going to cost alot.

go for a drive early on sunday morning when everyone else is asleep, roll the windows down and listen to the flat six rooooaaaaarrrr!!!!!!

+1