Maintenance is easy: Every 15,000 miles.

1.) Change oil and filter: easy (Every 7,500 miles)
2.) Valve adjustment: easy
3.) Change spark plugs: easy
4.) Change distributer cap: easy
5.) Change distributor rotor: easy
6.) Change valve cover gaskets: easy
7.) Change air filter: easy
8.) Change transmission oil: easy
9.) Change fuel filter: easy
10.) Change brake fluid and bleed brakes: easy
11.) Repack and adjust front wheel bearings: easy
12.) Change alternator belt: easy
13.) Lubricate all moving parts, hinges etc.: easy

This has been my maintenance plan on my 87' 3.2 for the last 15 years. I have used both organic and synthetic oils. What works best for my car is 20-50wt Gastrol GTX organic "no oil leaks as opposed to synthetic oil" Keep in mind that this is what I do and maybe not what others do. Maintenance is a controversial issue. I just know that it is easy. "130k miles on car"

I like the "Several" comment. I had one done on my car, and it missed at least one fairly major item - rusted out front suspension pan, LH side where the battery acid drains. Buying locally is a much better way to go than some long distance purchase like I did (not too many 911's for sale In Michigan, though).

In the end, a few curves taken on a sunny day, hitting the apexes just right, will make you forget any troubles with the car (and life in general)...:D

Not too difficult to work on, just takes more time to take more stuff apart. Sort of like a more complicated VW Beetle with less room to get to things (And the engine can't be dropped in 30 minutes like on a Bug). Also, takes time to diagnose - the usual american made car approach to just start replacing all related parts can get quite expensive on a 911!

Most People Say They're Easy......
 

Fixing and troubleshooting the car takes a lot of time and ingenuity. And replacing a $6 part like oil pressure switch will require a weekend for DIY or a full day at the shop. But this will not deter people from enjoying the never ending quest to make the car run better and faster.

Today, my son and I, completed a successful test run of a 3.0 liter SC motor on an engine stand. The engine is so accessible that replacing or troubleshooting any CIS component is very convenient.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1185140758.jpg http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1185140796.jpg

And one picture with the motor running.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1185141039.jpg

Welcome to the Porsche world and start saving!!!!

Tony

Never trust the Dealer....

You DIY on any car. It's just that the P car is harder than most other cars. I have been learning for several years now and is still learning the basic.

Terribly sorry for the triple post. Don´t know what happened. The content of my posts is very rarely THAT interesting.. :D

Randy's 915 thread is DIY inspiration, and represents the goodwill & vaste knowledge of this BBS.

And FWIW, on my father's 86 Carrera, you could only get 1st gear at a complete standstill. I replaced the shifter bushings 2 weeks ago, and now you can do a rolling downshift from 2->1, and shifting overall has really improved.

Re: Is It Realistic For A 1ST Time Owner To Do My Own Maintenance,Repairs,Troubleshooting
 

Welcome! Your note is pretty much like mine and many others posted when we were contemplating the plunge into 911ville. Without this community, I'm not 100% positive I would have ever owned a 911. There are so many knowledgeable people here willing to give of themselves. I am eternally grateful.

I've owned my '74 for 5 years now and I've been able to do almost all of the maintenance/repair work by myself with only a modicum of mechanical ability. The forum, Wayne's book and the other kind folks here will help you immensely. Welcome aboard and have fun!

Same on my '89 Coupe,.....as much attention as possible,..knowing where to draw the line between the REAL P-wrenches and home-approach....saved LOTS of $$$ doing it myself!!! This board is invaluable for information...priceless.....great people....great part of my "day"...

WELCOME!!! Our sponsor is great for support..use 'em!!!!


Best of luck!!

I've owned my 87 Carrera for 18 years. In the 90's I used to work on my VW and Toyota but never on the Porsche because it was well.. intimidating. Last year I started working on my 740i when all of a sudden my Carrera would not start. I thought about having it towed to the indy but instead went on line and quickley became a Pelican. Next thing you know I got the DME box out and I'm fixing cold and cracked solder joints. Bought 101 and Bentley and since then I have:

1.) Adjusted valves
2.) Change oil and filter
3.) Change spark plugs
4.) Change distributor cap, rotor and lubed
5.) Change air filter
6.) Change transmission oil
7.) Change fuel filter
9.) Rebuilt brake calipers and changed hoses
10.) Change brake fluid and bled brakes
11.) Change alternator belt
12.) Change alternator voltage regulator
13.) Change Cam tower oil lines

Not all these jobs have been easy but they have all been fun. Not to mention the huge sense of satisfaction I am rewarded with after a job is done and done right. Plus I save money and I can honestly tell you my car has never run better in the 18 years I have owned it.

Next challenges I am looking forward to:

1.) Clean headlights and install headlight relays
2.) Rebuild a/c with Rennaire system II

Welcome, Have Fun and keep posting.
Jeff

Dom: the previous people make some excellent points. Let me say that I also do a lot of DIY stuff. I feel it adds to the ownership experience to have the pride of doing it yourself. I also enjoy knowing that I can do a $500-1500 repair for about $1-300 in parts and a weekend.

Having said that, let me give you a word of advice: if you break into a cold sweat changing a light bulb or fixing a toilet float then DIY may not be for you. Also, you will need a good set of metric tools and a jacks and set of jackstands.

I suggest that besides getting the books and doing the searches, that you join your local PCA and make friends with other DIY people. They will help you with your projects, have a lot of experience, and give you the peace of mind that you aren't about to screw something up (oops can be costly-ask me how I know).

Go For It
 

Best thing I ever did was buy my 911. As far as this board goes, Best mixed bunch of car nuts and gear heads I've ever been around. Anyone I've actually met from here was true blue. I've never been let down or made to feel like an idiot here. Just a great bunch of guys.

A year into 911'dom and I've learned at least what I can do myself, and what I may want to pay to have done. You know your ability, and they aren't as bad as they seem, just think part motorcyle part something you've never seen before. I've done more myself on this car than I ever thought I would. Of course I've seen the exorcist 168 times....and it just keeps getting funnier every time I see it. So take my opinion for what it's worth:D

GET THE PORSCHE;)http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1185242198.jpg

Replacing parts and maintaining a vehicle are pretty much within reach of the average person given enough practice and motivation. Diagnosis? Well, that all depends. A decision-tree type of matrix can pinpoint the source of a malfunction w/o much background knowledge. Otherwise, one must know how a system or component works before one can diagnose a malfunction correctly.

In addition to a minimum of motor skills, a good prof. technician must know a lot of disciplines to be successful.

Sherwood

Dom,

Markus' reply is probably the most spot on reply you can get to your question. Several factors can influence shifting qualities of a 915 transmission, and he sums them up quite nicely.

Sherwood makes a great point also. Changing out parts, once you know which parts need changing, is the least difficult part of DIY maintenance. I was fortunate in my rebuild that John Walker chimed in early, along with several others.

Fortunately, the members of this bbs are more than happy to answer even the most involved questions. The most important thing you can do is give details and more details. Oh, and don't leave out any details! :D

Once again, welcome...and don't forget to post pics of your Porsche, once you have her.

Randy

As others have mentioned a ppi is a must. Also you might need to widen your search for the right car. I travelled 1500 miles for the right car after looking for over a year...

I say have fun and drive. It is not as hard or complicated as you may think. How much spare time do you have? If you truly enjoy drivng ang it is the car you want enough to be enthusiastic about, then just go for it.

part of my decision to buy a 911 vs. some other sporty vehicle is the DIY friendliness (and having Pelican is a big deal as well).

Just bought an "85.. these guys are great!
 

You have found the Mother Lode in this site! I bought my '85 coupe earlier this month and these guys have really made me feel at home in spite of some rookie mistakes.
I've slowly explored the band width of this site and I'm constantly amazed. I don't make a move w/out doing a thread search. I've crossed the Cone Filter off my list but added a Wong Chip...........

Welcome aboard, this is a great site. I was in the same place you are a year ago, with the same concerns. And all I can say is I hope your journey will be as rewarding as mine has been.

DIY info on this board is great, pelican is a excellent supplier for reasonably priced parts, and the 65-89 911s while refined w/ each passing year are remarkably similar (so in some aspects its like working on a sixties vintage auto). So yes, with your mechanical inclination, desire to do it yourself, you should be able to handle this just fine.

Since you are looking to purchase your first 911 you may also want to drive a 87-89 w/ the G50 transmission. While more expensive and heavier, this vintage is a much smoother shifting ride. I would have owner my first 911 10 years sooner if I could have gotten over my personal dislike of the 915 (strictly my opinion, I know a lot of people here love their 915 transmissions because they are simpler, lighter and less forgiving/more rewarding) again my .02 here.

Anyway good luck and welcome.