911 Idiosyncrasies??? (Long)

Greetings,

As a fairly new Porsche owner ('78SC), I've relied heavily on this BBS to resolve some issues, and I'd like to thank everyone for their unselfish assistance. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to spend much time in the car, so I'm still finding out about its idiosyncrasies.

I embarked on my first "road trip" last night, a 1.5 hour drive in very humid conditions from St. Petersburg to Orlando (FL). The car seemed to run perfectly the entire drive, but I ran across some of the following items that I wanted to run by everyone. Again, I'm new to this, so many of these things may be part of Porsche ownership!

1. After leaving the interstate and coming to a stop at a light, I noticed smoke coming from the exhaust. Although it was dark, it looked like oil burning to me. The engine was rebuilt approximately 80K miles ago, with Carrera tensioners, Turbo valve covers, oversize valves (I believe 45MM), pistons, rings, etc. The oil was changed around 100 miles ago.
2. During the drive, I felt cold water dripping on my legs, which turned out to be the underdash A/C unit. The entire underdash unit had heavy condensation on it, and was literally soaking wet around the entire exterior of the unit.
3. 2 of my gauges fogged up.
4. The car rides so rough that it regularly skipped my in-dash CD player.
5. The interior noise level is quite high.
6. The wind noise is quite high.
7. When I started the car from cold, the turn signal indicators on the tach glowed until the car was driven for 10-15 minutes.

It's been mentioned to me that these cars do smoke slightly, and that the pre-'80's models are quite unrefined, being designed specifically for sport driving. As such, the suspension is tight, they're noisy inside, etc.

I hope I'm not expecting too much from a 23 year old car, but I have to say that I did not run across these problems with my '74 VW SuperBeetle, which also had a rear engine, underdash factory air, etc.

Is what I'm experiencing normal for a car of this vintage, with the current accessories? How much more "refined" would an '85 or '86 model year be? I'm battling with the prospect of "restoring" the one I have, or selling it and buying a newer model.

Any input or advice is GREATLY appreciated!!

Could the smoke have been condensation due to the humid conditions? My original Blauplunkt CD player skipped in my 83 too. I updated it to a new Pioneer, no more skip, much better sound. Interior noise level is high in the 83 too, but its a real sports car. Enjoy the car.

Don't loose the faith SeaDweller!
Yes, they are a bit rugged around the edges, but I'll bet that superbeetle didn't kick ass quite so hard either.

Smoke could be either 1)worn motor (unlikely), 2) rich mixture or condensation (more likely) or 3) leaky exhaust valve covers, turbo or not (most likely)

Don't worry about 2 other than a tune up and 3 is a problem we all get and can also be solved.

Wind noise will be high. These are an old design. General noise will be high. Learn to love it.
Gauges fog. Don't ask why.
Turn signal indicators flash intermittantly.
Welcome to 911 ownership!! Forget all that stuff, drive it on nice days, get to know it well and you will end up loving it like everyone else on this board/world who has had a taste for a decent ammount of time. Enjoy.
BTW, if anything, you should consider selling that late model luxobarge and getting your behind into something more rudimentary,for example a <'74

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'72 911 TE

The following applies to my 78SC Targa:

rides very smooth and I've installed 22/28 Sway-Away torsion bars. But I've also R&R'd the rubber suspension bushings. Perhaps stiffer bars were installed on yours.

No skip in the CD department. How much anti-skip does your unit allow?

Wind noise?
I have a targa, 'nough said.
Is yours a coupe? I know many on this board have significantly decreased wind noise by R&Ring the weatherstripping. I've even heard rumors of Targas being relatively quiet. But I don't really believe it.

Air conditioning?
You mean yours actually works!

Turn signals? No problems but the high beam switch burnt out.

Smoking? Probably condensation but definatly look into it. Did you have a compession check performed? Oil consumption in the cars is high, so if you think its burning more oil than other cars, your right. It's supposed to.

Fogging guages?
A little, but only when it really, really rains.

All in all, I love my 78SC Targa, and wouldn't trade it for another. I'd like another, but never trade it. I'm even thinking of getting an earlier model as a project car since mine is nearly complete. If you are looking for a really plush P-car, I'm sure many would agree that you need to go to a 996 or perhaps a 993. But you will lose the "feeling" of driving a P-car.

In short, welcome to the world of Porsche ownership. Before long, you will miss the very things you have conserns with. These cars will last forever, and provide you with a rush unfounded in any other production car.
----------------------

Paul
78SC Targa

Hello Seadweller.. I live in Orlando and make the drive to the Tampa area numerous times a year.. The smoke you saw is most likely oil.. As your car cruises for a while the oil seeps out from all kinds of places and collects on the undercarriage, especially on the heat exchangers. The wind blows the oil all over stuff. Rip the engine apart and reseal everything or get used to it.. The gauges fog up.. The rear of the gauges are exposed in the bonnet area of the car and a fair bit of air circulates around in there. If the a/c is on when you go on medium to long distance drives you'll get condensation on the inside of the glass.. I don't have a/c in my car but still occasionally get condensation.. Two of the main places I'd check for the oil leak when you're ready are the return tubes and the valve cover gaskets. You can have your valves adjusted and the gaskets replaced for about $160 and oil return tubes cost about $22 a piece or around $80 for all 4. Search around the Pelican sight if you want to do these things yourself.. There are tech articles on the procedures..
Pete

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'77 Carrera3.0 www.geocities.com/pcafaro2000/carrera30.html

[This message has been edited by pacmyster (edited 03-14-2001).]

Wow, what a list of "idiosyncrasies"!

Sorry, but I can't but help thinking your car needs some "tempering" or at least the attention of a good shop.

1. Visible, burning oil, no matter where it originates cannot be good.

2. The a/c in these cars is usually a disaster unless you spend a pot full of money to modernize it. Rip it all out and put it into a box for the next owner. Or spend the money.

3. With the a/c dumping all that moisture into the cabin, is it any wonder??

4. My lowered car has stock suspension in good condition. The CD player has never skipped, and all my fillings are still intact.

5. Compared to what?
Lexus, yes.
Porsche 917, no.

6. The weather seals could be in poor shape, but then again see # 5 above.

7. Your electrical system needs TLC ASAP.
Check all the connections, especially grounds.

Good luck in sorting out your SC. If there are any people in the world who can help you do it, they are here.




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Doug
'81 SC Coupe (aka: "Blue Bomber")
Canada West Region PCA
http://members.home.net/zielke/911SC.htm

Sea,

I think most of your concerns are premature!

Unless your SuperBeetle was equipped with Koni struts and shocks, and a good set of VR or ZR tires, I don't think that is a fair comparison, as far as ride quality is concerned!

Your oil burning/leaking concerns are premature, until you have some measured rates of loss ... over, say, 1-2000 miles!

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

1. After leaving the interstate and coming to a stop at a light, I noticed smoke coming from the exhaust. Although it was dark, it looked like oil burning to me. The engine was rebuilt approximately 80K miles ago, with Carrera tensioners, Turbo valve covers, oversize valves (I believe 45MM), pistons, rings, etc. The oil was changed around 100 miles ago.
2. During the drive, I felt cold water dripping on my legs, which turned out to be the underdash A/C unit. The entire underdash unit had heavy condensation on it, and was literally soaking wet around the entire exterior of the unit.
3. 2 of my gauges fogged up.
4. The car rides so rough that it regularly skipped my in-dash CD player.
5. The interior noise level is quite high.
6. The wind noise is quite high.
7. When I started the car from cold, the turn signal indicators on the tach glowed until the car was driven for 10-15 minutes.

Hello

Sorry pastet wrong sheet:

After driving an 1303 you must have been used to some german ( Porsche ) differences in making cars.

1.) All said except that maybe at the filling some where spilling or during filterchange allways some oil goes abroad. not to forget are problems caused by overfilling.

2.) Just look if the waterdrain from the AC unit is working. Sometimes there is to much dust and dirt inbeetween the fins from the evaporator unit. This will hold the fine water condesating at the lamels and blow it with the airstream upwards. An other thing is an missfunction from the ranco allowing to deep temeperatures staring to make ice or snow. this will be blown upwards too and melt there back to water.

3.) Gost in the machine would miss that

4.) Porsches are very smoth machines except someone "improved" it. Worn rubber in the chassis/ suspension does his tool too.

5.) Hey thats music and not as noisy as an discothek. Its a beautyfull noise ( old hit when the car was new )

6.) no big problem just look from where they come.

7.) Well here is it very tricky as it has some possibilities. I would check the rearlights first


The 86 to an elder car is like an 1303 compared to an 1302. Better ventilation some touches in detail generally better but not an different car.

Just look around and compare. If you feel you need the newer car then you know the way. If you can live with the old one then just use it. Restoration normaly pays back
after many years if anyhow.

Grüsse

So . . . what is the problem?

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Allan Broadribb
'70-911E, 2.2l with Webers