Looking at 88 911

Dan951 · 03-30-2008, 05:43 AM

Today I will be looking at a 88 Porsche 911 with 80k miles on the clock. The car is fairly clean from what the owner stated but needs a vfew maintance items. I'm new to aircooled and have only owned waterpumpers in the past. How reliable are the 911's? Are they on par with my 944 Turbo or 928? I service my own cars so I don't mind getting dirty. The owner said the last time he had it at the mechanics they recommended a valve adjustment and that theres a small shimy in the wheel at around 60mph (unbalanced tire?). He also stated that there are some plastic pieces missing on the lower part of the dash for the warning lights. Looks like from eBay these cars are worth between 15-20k depending on condition.. Is there anything I should look for on this car? Any direction would be great. Is it normal for these cars to smoke on startup?

Thanks

billybek · billybek's Garage

Pre-Purchase Inspection...
There is a list somewhere on this forum for a PPI check list..
Hope it works out!
Do a quick search on this forum for purchase inspection!

runfaster · 03-30-2008, 06:20 AM

Dude, these cars are totally reliable if you get a good one. I bought an 86 carerra last year and have put about 15,000 miles on it. It runs great. Do research,get a ppi, and do not get impulsive and buy the first one you see or drive. Go out and drive a bunch of them and get a feel for the 911's.

If you get a bad one you will blow through your savings really fast...well actually even if you get a good one, you will still blow through your savings buying all the Porsche stuff that you can get your hands on. These things are really addicting, once you get an old Porsche it is will all be about the car from here on out...Hope you are in a strong relationship, because the addiction can cause friction...lol.

Do your homework and don't buy the paint. If you get a good one you will have a blast. The G-50 cars go for about $18-25,000 in price and the 915 3.2's go for about $12-18,000. Some owners get all excited and try to sell these things stupid prices and they sit forever.

got to go....something just came up...I will post some more info on my dealings with my car....

cheers,
Craig

KFC911 · 03-30-2008, 06:22 AM

Whew...no time to do this justice now. In a nutshell, they are great cars IF you select a good one and are incredibly DIY'able with these boards, etc. to guide you. Condition is everything and depending on your location, your ballpark price range is right for a G50 Carrera with that mileage in "good" condition. Here's the key thing ...a puff of smoke on startup after the car has been sitting is nothing to be concerned with, but if it's doing it every time, it very well could be an indication of worn valve guides. This appears on a small percentage of Carreras, and typically shows up at 60-80K miles (some earlier, some later). You MUST get a PPI from an air-cooled guru if you don't know these cars, but don't let that hold you back...good luck, let us know what you find out!

Quicksilver · 03-30-2008, 06:23 AM

The 88 is fairly close to identical to an 87. They both have the G50 transmission which is a big step from the 915 that was used before then. My 87 is closing on 220,000 miles. There are things that go wrong with them but how many cars are there that will feel solid after that many miles no matter how much maintenance you do.

The shimmy sounds like a balance or or tire contour problem. I would also grab the top of the wheel and shake it to see if the bearing is tight enough.

These cars can smoke a bit on startup because the cylinders are parallel to the ground and that can allow a bit of oil to get past the rings while it is sitting. (Most cars have cylinders that will drain the oil.) There are other things that could cause it to give you some startup smoke. Pretty much the normal list: rings, valve guides, valve seals...

You didn't put in a location in your profile so we can't help you with the most important part of this...
P.P.I.
You are going to hear Pre Purchase Inspection out of about 50 mouths here. You need and want one. Don't trust the previous owner's mechanic. He may of missed something and will continue to miss it. Tell us where you are at and people will give you a list of great mechanics to look over the car.

For this car it needs at least a leak down and compression test but there are a lot of things to look at.

Paul K · Paul K's Garage

Dan951:

Welcome! Please add your location to your profile so we know where you are. As has been mentioned, a PPI is an absolute must. Low miles and being clean does not exempt the car from a PPI.

Cheers,

Paul.

partrin · partrin's Garage

You definitely want a PPI done....

Two things that I am aware of to look for: 1) Has the rubber center clutch been replaced and mechanicals updated? This is an expensive update when it goes (~ 16 hours labor, as I recall) and it will go! If it has, a spring centered clutch is a plus - but a bit more noise. 2) Have the leak-down testing done....top end rebuilds are pricey too.

Some smoke on start-up is ok if it has been sitting, but not expected if it's been run in the past day or so. Smoke smells from the heater are normal, in my experience.

Best advice - Have it checked out!

GrantG · GrantG's Garage

Dan - If you're used to working on your own 951, you're going to have ALOT of spare time with the 911 (far less maintenance intensive)

Dan951 · 03-30-2008, 06:52 AM

Thanks guys for the quick replies. I'm located in Lansing Michigan. I currently have a 928 S4 and 944 Turbo and have done all my own work including t-belt jobs.

Yes I'm well aware of a PPI. He did state his mechanic recommended a valve adjustment soon. As far as I know the clutch has not been replaced and he doesn't have many service records however the owner nows the car real well. His brother bought car in 89 with 5000 miles on it and he just bought it from him 2 years ago.

When these are are running is it common to here a ticking sound when they are running? I remember one of the 944 guys brought his brother with a 86 911 and you could here ticking when it was idling. Definitely a different sound.

Dan951 · 03-30-2008, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GrantG

Dan - If you're used to working on your own 951, you're going to have ALOT of spare time with the 911 (far less maintenance intensive)

lol

Dan951 · 03-30-2008, 07:20 AM

He's the VIN if anyone can tell me anything about it from the VIN#. wp0ab0916js120952

LakeCleElum · 03-30-2008, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan951

Thanks guys for the quick replies. I'm located in Lansing Michigan. I currently have a 928 S4 and 944 Turbo and have done all my own work including t-belt jobs.

Yes I'm well aware of a PPI. He did state his mechanic recommended a valve adjustment soon. As far as I know the clutch has not been replaced and he doesn't have many service records however the owner nows the car real well. His brother bought car in 89 with 5000 miles on it and he just bought it from him 2 years ago.

When these are are running is it common to here a ticking sound when they are running? I remember one of the 944 guys brought his brother with a 86 911 and you could here ticking when it was idling. Definitely a different sound.

Ticking sound could be a loose valve adjustment, hence your mech. recommendation. Only thing I'll add here is: Some of the '88's suffered from early valve guide wear. This would apparent by excessive smoke and oil consumption. This can a $5,000 repair, so have this accessed in your PPI. Good luck....

WI wide body · 05-13-2008, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

The 88 is fairly close to identical to an 87. They both have the G50 transmission which is a big step from the 915 that was used before then. My 87 is closing on 220,000 miles. There are things that go wrong with them but how many cars are there that will feel solid after that many miles no matter how much maintenance you do.

The shimmy sounds like a balance or or tire contour problem. I would also grab the top of the wheel and shake it to see if the bearing is tight enough.

These cars can smoke a bit on startup because the cylinders are parallel to the ground and that can allow a bit of oil to get past the rings while it is sitting. (Most cars have cylinders that will drain the oil.) There are other things that could cause it to give you some startup smoke. Pretty much the normal list: rings, valve guides, valve seals...

You didn't put in a location in your profile so we can't help you with the most important part of this...
P.P.I.
You are going to hear Pre Purchase Inspection out of about 50 mouths here. You need and want one. Don't trust the previous owner's mechanic. He may of missed something and will continue to miss it. Tell us where you are at and people will give you a list of great mechanics to look over the car.

For this car it needs at least a leak down and compression test but there are a lot of things to look at.

What exactly is the "big step" difference from the 915 to the G-50? Have you ever actually owned a 911 with a 915 tranny...and if yes...what were the issues?

This almost seems to be one of those urban legends that has little basis in fact.

I have owned a bunch of 911's with the 915 and have NEVER had an issue. My current '86 Euro Carrera has the 915 and I would defy anyone to find a G-50 that shifts more smoothly or cleanly.

Yes, some 915's have problems if they are not maintained properly or beat to hell. But those very same parameters apply to a G-50 just as well. IMHO.

jbrinkley · 03:50 PM

05/13/1988 89 Illinois
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Chicago, IL
Title #G4728147 Title issued or updated
First owner reported
Loan or lien reported

03/26/1993 Michigan
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Grand Rapids, MI
Title #298D0850371 Title or registration issued
Duplicate title issued
09/09/1998 Michigan
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Grand Rapids, MI
Title #298J2520162 Title or registration issued
Duplicate title issued
Registered as lease vehicle
10/27/1998 Michigan
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Highland Park, IL
Title #298J3000190 Title or registration issued
Duplicate title issued
Registered as lease vehicle

03/15/2006 Michigan
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Saranac, MI
Title #268T0740081 Title issued or updated
New owner reported
10/12/2006 Michigan
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Saranac, MI
Title #262T2850041 Title issued or updated
Correction to record
06/14/2007 Michigan
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Saranac, MI Registration issued or renewed
12/07/2007 Michigan
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Saranac, MI Registration issued or renewed
05/13/2008

Zeke · 05-13-2008, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WI wide body

What exactly is the "big step" difference from the 915 to the G-50? Have you ever actually owned a 911 with a 915 tranny...and if yes...what were the issues?

This almost seems to be one of those urban legends that has little basis in fact.

I have owned a bunch of 911's with the 915 and have NEVER had an issue. My current '86 Euro Carrera has the 915 and I would defy anyone to find a G-50 that shifts more smoothly or cleanly.

Yes, some 915's have problems if they are not maintained properly or beat to hell. But those very same parameters apply to a G-50 just as well. IMHO.

The big step is the lack of a balky 1st-2nd shift, great shifting thru the rest of the gears and overall strength. The weakness is the needle bearings on the fork shaft. There is an upgrade for that. I've owed all three, 901, 915 and g50. I prefer the 901 shift pattern, but if I'm gonna have a dogleg into fifth, give me the G 50

(I wonder if he ever got the car?)

WI wide body · 05-13-2008, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milt

The big step is the lack of a balky 1st-2nd shift, great shifting thru the rest of the gears and overall strength. The weakness is the needle bearings on the fork shaft. There is an upgrade for that. I've owed all three, 901, 915 and g50. I prefer the 901 shift pattern, but if I'm gonna have a dogleg into fifth, give me the G 50

(I wonder if he ever got the car?)

The only real difference that I could tell on the various tranny's was that my '96 993 did shift better than the older cars.

Interesting what you say about the needle bearings. I recall reading that the big change from the 915 to the G50 was that Borg Warner made the synchro's in the G50. But I'm certainly not a tranny expert.

(my current 915 shifts so good that I'm afraid to change the tranny oil since I don't know what the PO used in it!)