Don't do what I did (non PPI story).
 

After selling my solid SC, I decided I need a longhood. Came across a nice 70T for a good price from a broker advertised as having some minor rust and a rebuilt engine, so I pulled the trigger.

The car shows up as advertised but with a thumping idle. As I have a business trip and an out of country trip pressing me I park the car, figuring it just needs a carb adjustment or a tune up. No such luck, the car is at Eurocar Werks today getting a compression test. I am bracing for the worst.

Anyway don't kick me when I am down. My stupidity, just thought I'd share.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1192473763.jpg

I am sympathetic with you worrying, but you might get lucky. I did.

No matter what, that is one of the most gorgeous (I know it is a sissy term) cars I have ever seen. The general design of the pre 74 cars are beyond approach by any other vehicle ever done IMO. A nice one in that beautiful color (what´s it called ?) is simply lovely.

Good luck!!

Sorry to hear of your potential troubles, but it sure is a beauty... Good luck with it.

Thanks Markus for the encouragement.
The color is non-Porsche metallic blue done by the previous owner. It is very close to current Mini Cooper Indy Blue. I know this because I walked around with a small color chip that came off the rear valence and every time I saw a blue car I held the chip up to it. It made for some interesting parking lot conversations. Previously the car was Guards Red.

Ulrich

Any chance of a warranty? Otherwise, if worse comes to worse, maybe the low price will justify a rebuild?

Just what <b>IS </b> a 'thumping' idle???

Live in Houston/No PPI, any chance you bought it from Victory?

I am not knocking you when you are down, because I bought one from him them that had "issues". Hang in there- I'm sure that there are many of us on this board that will/wont admit to our mistakes.

Its a really nice looking car!

I like that color. Who cares if it is for a Mini?

Are you referring to a "lumpy" idle? Could be just a jetting, a carb or idle setting, or maybe timing.

No didn't buy from them, I know of their reputation. At least I would have been able to drive the car prior to purchase since I am in Houston as well.

Ulrich

I had a Honda beside me at the traffic light with a 'thumping idle' this morning. It's a combination of hip-hop and too much bass.

Very annoying.

There you are giving me hope again when I had already braced myself for a rebuild. How cruel :)

How to distinguish between a lumpy and thumpy idle? The car shakes slightly when idling and is blowing white smoke (not unusual for 911 that's been sitting), my mechanic came up with the phrase.

Ulrich

White smoke? Does it dissipate or does it fill the air and drift off with the wind? Blue smoke (oil) would indicate a problem. White is usually steam that would be due to moisture in the engine being burned off.

How does it run otherwise?

GORGEOUS car, btw!!

Ah, that's nothing... I did a pretend PPI (seller: another potential buyer just had it checked, let me send you the ppi he got. Me: Uh, ok)

Mine turned out to be made of 2 cars, a 72 nose, a 73.5T rear end. Costlier than your issue, which may still turn out ok !

Idles like a dragster at the starting line and shakes slightly, white smoke does diminish after a few minutes but does not go away completely.

Ulrich

I see you're in Houston.

I hate to even bring this up, but is there any possibility that the car was flooded during Katrina? Is it possible that water got into the crankcase?

No thank goodness. Title shows previous owner at that time was in Colorado.

Ulrich

From what you've written there's nothing that leads me to assume the car isn't what was advertised.

"Rebuilt" means different things to different people that's why paperwork is necessary to determine what "rebuilt" means. To some people a valve job means the motor was rebuilt. Most people refer to this as a top end rebuild. To others rebuilt means the longblock is rebuilt. This is the most common use and doesn't involve any of the ancillaries (dizzy, alternator, induction, exhaust etc.) To others still it means the whole engine including ancillaries. This is rarely the case.

A lumpy idle caused by an induction or electrical problem wouldn't be solved by a longblock rebuild so don't assume that you were taken in regards to the rebuild statement. You first need to diagnose the problem and take it from there.

Rarely does buying a 37 year car go off without a hitch unless you are paying the big bucks for a completely sorted car.

Relax. Take a breath and then proceed. :)

Bob is right. Try to remember it is approaching FOUR decades old before you jump off the roof!

"Bumpy" or "lumpy" strikes me like it COULD be a vacuum leak. For your sake I hope it is. Try the WD-40 around likely leak locations while idling and see if the idle smooths out even if only mementarily.

Also, I would suggest you not compound your troubles by taking the first mecahnic's word that it must be rebuilt - if indeed that comes back as his opinion. Not saying he's not honest, but there are plenty of them that are not or are just mistaken. Get a few opinions and post here with as many specifics as you can before opting for such an expensive fix.

As with everyone else, that is a very pretty car. Easy to see how your heart overruled your head. Mine did!:D

The worst case is that you paid too much for a beautiful car in a great color that is one of the ultimate Porsche classics (along with 356 & 550). That isn't too horrible and will get less so as you put years and miles on the car.

The color is fabulous - I also took a red early car to a nice blue.

It may be fairly minor. If not, then you may be able to challenge the "rebuilt motor" part of the contract in court. Or the threat might be enough to convince the seller to help you out a bit.

Meanwhile, contact the PO in Colo. and ask how the car was when he sold it.

I hope a third party is looking at the motor - not the seller or seller's agent.

Get a 2nd opinion regardless f what the current shop tells you. Ask me how I know. I ended up saving alot of money and the car has never run better.

Just my 2 cents!!!

Booney1golf
85 911 Carrera Targa - And I use to think golf was addicting

Get a 2nd opinion regardless f what the current shop tells you. Ask me how I know. I ended up saving alot of money and the car has never ran better.

Just my 2 cents!!!

Booney1golf
85 911 Carrera Targa - And I use to think golf was addicting

The car is at Eurocar Werks in Houston, highly regarded by PCA guys. They also worked on my previous SC, so we have a history. I'll keep the board updated on the results.

Ulrich

wow, best of luck and please keep us posted on the progress/findings...

beautiful car - I'd talk to the previous owner and see if he knew of the "issues" Hopefully they are minor.

With fantastic looks like that, the car is worth some hassles IMHO! My daughter says it's awesome too....(she's standing next to me right now)

When I was 16 I bought my first car, 63 VW Bug and only took it out for a neighborhood drive. Didn't get it out of 2nd gear. When I tried to get on the freeway after giving the guy the $400 it wouldn't go faster than about 35. Popped and sputtered like hell. I stopped at the gas station by my house, they recommended a German car mechanic across town. By now I'm thinking how stupid I am, my Dad's going to kill me, the car is junk, etc.

It was a spark plug wire. Once that was fixed it ran like a top, I worked on some stuff myself, got some new tires, drove the hell out of it for a few years and sold it for $800. Still the best I've ever done on a car transaction. It's been downhill ever since.

It's gorgeous, love the color. My fingers are crossed for you.

Beautiful car, I hope it works out well for you...

Ulrich,

From your description of the rough idle, I doubt it will be hard to fix, and may be as simple as a new distributor cap and spark plug cables. An open resistor in one of the Beru connectors [that attaches to the spark plug] can cause a very rough idle and make the engine feel like it is running on three cylinders as you try to drive through the gears!

Very beautiful car ... one I am sure you will be very proud of in the future!

Wow! More pictures of that car please.

Curious, any feedback yet.

Just a brief update.

Basically the carbs are shot to the point even where a rebuild might not get the desired results. I was about to toy with getting a new set of PMOs when, magically, a used set of Webers appeared on Pelican this morning. Sent my mechanich the link, he said he can work with them, and the deal is done. There is hope yet.

Thank you for all the support.

Ulrich

Ulrich, sounds like it will work out for you in the end and can confidently say from appearances only, you did very well. beautiful car.

and you certainly did better than I did with my second eBay purchase:

Not all 911s are destined for greatness...

Shaun,
You know someone would take that first pic and list it on ebay as "911 project, needs only minor tweeks to finish".

Ulrich

:)

this was my first experience of "distance is a car's best friend." All of the shots in the eBay ad were 20 feet away, and it looked great. But it was really the seller who completely misrepresented the car, especially in response to my questions. Live and learn.

good luck with the new carbs! and send me a pic iwth the pocket installed. :)