What repair jobs make you cuss the Porsche engineers?

[GH85Carrera]

My number 2 most dreaded thing to work on in my 85 911 is getting the back clips on the air filter box. I have real man hands, and not skinny 10 year old boy hands. I cusss and fight wth that a lot.

My new number 1 cuss the engineers task is replacing the alternator. Getting it apart and out is not bad. Getting the air diverter bolted down with all three nuts while the wires are attached is brutal battle of a job.

I am realy happy I am not a professional mechanic as it took me hours to get the diverted cone in just the right orientation with the very limited space using just my fingertips.

So what is your most hated task that makes you wonder what some engineer was thinking?

So many tasks are not a challenge at all. Several make me want to find that engineer and punch him in the nose.

[shadowjack1]

I too struggle with the air filter clips. Learned to do it with the oil filter removed, but still-------

[David Inc.]

Unbolting and removing the windshield wiper motor in an SC. ****. That.

[faverymi]

Rear targa glass rubber seal with defroster wires.

Mothefuch

[WMichelsen]

Ugh! Haven't done alternator for a while. But yeah, that sucks.

Oil filter location and orientation. Yeah, lets just pour a cup of oil in the engine bay every 3K miles.
Battery R&R. Hard to get in/out. And.. Is it just group-48? Why engineer things so the pos+ post has to be in the worst spot?

[3rd_gear_Ted]

1. Fuel pump replacement with a full tank of gas.
2. And then you don't see an inline filter to protect the $en$itive gear driven fuel pump you are about to install.

[David Inc.]

Originally Posted by WMichelsen

Ugh! Haven't done alternator for a while. But yeah, that sucks.

Oil filter location and orientation. Yeah, lets just pour a cup of oil in the engine bay every 3K miles.
Battery R&R. Hard to get in/out. And.. Is it just group-48? Why engineer things so the pos+ post has to be in the worst spot?

And every time I go into it thinking "this time will be different."

[pmax]

Headlights, the way it's mounted is a beaut in simplicity.

[isby]

Headlight rings for sure - hate those things.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by WMichelsen

Ugh! Haven't done alternator for a while. But yeah, that sucks.

Oil filter location and orientation. Yeah, lets just pour a cup of oil in the engine bay every 3K miles.
Battery R&R. Hard to get in/out. And.. Is it just group-48? Why engineer things so the pos+ post has to be in the worst spot?

I always cram some paper towels under the filter, and in that area before removing the filter. And I drain all the oil from the tank and engine first. That gives time for the filter to drain. It is a messy operation, but not hard.

Removing the HUGE battery is a pain. I just pull the fan for the AC condenser first, and the battery comes out easily.

I know replacing the ignition switch is a pain unless you enjoy just standing on your head for a while. Much like the pedal assembly.

[fallingat120mph]

1. Ignition switch, which engineering wise probably has no other way...and 2. glove box removal...holy crap.





Erik

[MeteorMetal86]

I tried to reach the back of the cigarette lighter in my ’86. Gave up after en hour of cussing and bloodied knuckles. I did not want to remove all the things in front of it…thought it would be a simple job.

[theiceman]

i have to say after working on many many German cars, there is nothing really terrible about working on these cars.. i have dealt with things much much worse on other cars...

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by theiceman

i have to say after working on many many German cars, there is nothing really terrible about working on these cars.. i have dealt with things much much worse on other cars...

No doubt, many other cars are worse. Especially modern cars with 95 computers that have to talk to each other or the car is undriveable.

My arms and hands all show the cuts and bruises for that alternator air diverter debacle.



Getting that diverter in place and the three nuts on is just profanity inducing. I guess my wires are shorter than the ones in the photo, and I had way less room.

[rwest]

Removing and installing the HVAC control panel.

[inaminit]

The H4 headlight adjustment system!!!

[OldSpool87]

Originally Posted by 3rd_gear_Ted

1. Fuel pump replacement with a full tank of gas.
2. And then you don't see an inline filter to protect the $en$itive gear driven fuel pump you are about to install.

Help me understand #1. I may be looking at this job soon on my SC.

Thanks

[Packin4]

Regarding your alternator...on a cabriolet there is an "engine stabilizer" mini shock absorber thingy that's part of the engine mount. It effectively forces you to drop the engine to get the alternator out. Nutz.

[mepstein]

Reassembling a turbo engine.

[pmax]

Tranny bolts.
CV joint bolts.