Missing bolt - pic

VroomGrrl · 12-03-2008, 12:14 PM

I was topping up my oil just now and immediately noticed a bolt missing:

Um, I'm assuming I should get this replaced ASAP. No clue where or when it went! Nor even what to call it other than "a missing bolt". I'm not a "car person," don't even play one on TV, so I don't know if there's any danger in driving much without it? I guess I can get a part # and order a replacement and just stick it back in there myself?

charlesbahn · charlesbahn's Garage

Looks like the AC compressor. No need to hurry to replace it, it is probably fine with 3 bolts. I'll bet that one got stripped and wasn't replaced at some point.

88911coupe · 12-03-2008, 01:09 PM

Don't take this wront but just to be clear...since you state you're not a "car person" are you following the method for checking the oil level on a 911?
Checking the oil level on an air cooled 911 has thrown off a lot of people who ARE car people.

the · 12-03-2008, 01:16 PM

Good point on checking the oil properly. Lots of people have "topped up" to the tune of 5 extra quarts.

Check to see that the other 3 compressor bolts are torqued down, as long as they are tight, you'll be ok for now. But I would get that 4th one put back in place.

LM3929 · 12-03-2008, 01:22 PM

If you check under the Air compressor you will probably find that there isn't a threaded hole to receive the bolt, mine only has three bolts in it.

LM

rouxroux · 12-03-2008, 01:39 PM

I see that when reinstalling it, your mechanic left off a washer and nut as well.

....don't worry, there is not supposed to be a bolt there.

dshepp806 · dshepp806's Garage

Agreed!

(hehehe)

Best,

Doyle

VroomGrrl · 12-03-2008, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88911coupe

Don't take this wront but just to be clear...since you state you're not a "car person" are you following the method for checking the oil level on a 911?
Checking the oil level on an air cooled 911 has thrown off a lot of people who ARE car people.

Thanks for your reply! I won't worry about that bolt

And I will put your mind at ease about my oil-checking proficiency, I hope! I know that lots of people goof up on oil checking and changing - I have read the threads here and learned well!

I ran the car around a bit until I achieved normal operating temp (just at the first hash mark on the temp gauge). I left it idling while I opened her up and checked the dip stick. Definitely low, as I suspected from the lowish reading on the oil level gauge.

I added about 1/4 qt at a time, checking after each addition. I have found that even when my oil level gauge shows just above the red, it often takes less than 1/2 qt to "top it up" properly. And I know that it's a mess if overfilled. So I proceeded slowly, and ended up adding about 2/3-3/4 qt. On the dip stick, this put me about 3/4ths between the 2 indentations toward full.

My mechanic has suggested that I not keep adding until the oil shows all the way to the last indentation, as this often results in it being a bit overfilled and blowing around in there making a mess. He's also suggested that I slightly underfill when I am planning to run the &^%$ out of her at a track event

So that's what I've been doing, and I had not topped up since the event I did last weekend, so it was definitely time.

Thanks to everyone who worried about this - if I've committed a gaffe, lemme have it! I am not a car person, but I did learn how to drive "back in the day" on a car that had to be checked while running so it was an easy habit to resume. Even as a "not yet car person" I am getting better with the basics such as keeping my tires properly filled for conditions & keeping an eye on the oil. The rest, for now, I leave to the experts.

Just picked up a set of new brake pads today (basic stock pads) and will be having a session with a Pcar mechanic sometime in the next week or so to learn how to put my own brake pads on. I have a floor jack & jack stands coming for Christmas. I will feel much more self-sufficient at the track if I know I can do this for myself if I ever need to. I will have to be sure & take some pics of my grease monkey afternoon when it happens!

3.2 CAB · 12-03-2008, 07:28 PM

Kathy, it appears that you are doing just fine. Tony.

VroomGrrl · 12-03-2008, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dshepp806

Agreed!

(hehehe)

Best,

Doyle

Hey Doyle,

Thought you (and some others) might get a kick out of this, taken this afternoon:

Yeah, I have my priorities straight! Took out the 20 yr old Kenwood in-dash (removed the 10 disc changer from the trunk a few weeks ago) and replaced it with a very basic Eclipse unit with single disc in-dash slot and USB port on the front. Luckily, once Carlos made his way thru the wiring rat's nest, the new unit basically plugged right into the rest of the existing system (amp under pass seat, kick-azz speakers all around - even at 20 yrs old they still sound great).

I was so afraid to just leave my car there! Before buying, I went back to the installation area, met the installer, showed him what I had & tried to determine whether he'd be up to the task. I wanted to be sure there would be no drilling into my dash, what would be involved, etc. He was appropriately worshipful of my car

and seemed comfortable with my old-skool set-up. It helped that he was not exactly a "young punk" like the worthless lot I found working in the car audio department (I was at Circuitous City).

I got to feeling OK about the installation guy. So I purchased the unit online on special with free installation, picked it up at the store and had it installed today. I went back there and stayed the whole time. He took a long time getting the wiring straight, and I liked his pride of workmanship in leaving it better than he found it - he did take some extra time to sort out the wiring nightmare, grouping, fastening and tucking everything away very neatly. The plastic face-ring that came with the unit stood a little tall from my dash, and he worked a bit of grinding magic on it so that it fit perfectly. It was too dark to get a photo of the finished job but if anybody gives a $&T% I can take some tomorrow.

What a great feeling to see the guts out, then back together, then to hear it fire up on the first try. Sounds better than ever. Now I can load up a thumb drive with 10 years worth of tunes and be good to go! My local buddies were all, "Hey you can do that in 30 minutes!" But I tell you what, I'm glad I left this one to a pro. I think it might have taken me a month to figure it all out! I learned plenty watching, tho.