Possible for a complete newbie to wrench a 911?

[logan2z]

I'm on the cusp of buying an SC and would love to learn how to work on it myself, but have virtually zero experience doing my own car maintenance - I consider washing/waxing 'DIY", if that gives you any indication of my inexperience I keep hearing how the early 911s are simple to work on, but can a complete newbie tackle routine maintenance items, suspension upgrades, etc without expert help? (I'm not talking engine/gearbox rebuilds here). Any recommendations for a starter set of tools (wrenches, jack stands, floor jack, etc.) and reference books, other than Wayne's and the Bentley manual, to get me started?

[80-911SC]

craftsman metric set usually on sale 150 , like a 165 piece i think is a good starter and warranted for life or until sears puts the chain into bankruptcy ...

best bet is to cruse the forums and search for what you are going to be doing , odds are some one here has done it before and you can learn a lot

second read all instructions all the way thru twice ... all the way thru twice ...

check out the tech section that Wayne put on this site , it has a lot thats in the book and a lot thats not in a well organized well thought out fashion ...

and ask questions , the last thing any one here wants to do is see a post that something messed up ...

you may get a smart rumped answer every once in a while but , hey deal with it some day somebody will ask a question and you may be the one to answer duhhh...

and if you ask a question you are asking for opinions just remember ...

[BrokeMyCar]

My first oil change ever was on my SC, in the parking lot. It's as much that the basic principles of these cars is more straightforward, as it is that all the tricky parts have been figured out and explained in these awesome forums.

Babak

[Canada Kev]

In a word, yes. Unless you're a total dufus. And then, it's a maybe.

These cars are very simple. With a group like this, you can be assured that there's someone who has had the exact same issue as you and will likely give some valuable pointers.

Just take your time and take a break when you get frustrated with something. With each successful job, your confidence will improve and pretty soon, you'll be fearlessly tearing into something that you might only dream of today. The above comments are spot on.

[DRACO A5OG]

Do not over Torque.

[vash]

i'm ALWAYS willing to help.

do IT! bay area guys are cool. i havent gone solo on a project in a very long time.

[euro911sc]

If you prospective purchase is in good working order then you will have time to learn the car and the basic maint. stuff before something serious needs attending to. Of course... there is the cost to fix it... and the cost to fix your screw ups so fear not. In the bay area there are a ton of guys who will help you for free well almost. You will have to supply the beer and pretzels

I never touched a car till I got my SC, but I was a mechanical engineer so I'm mechanically inclined to begin with. I have now rebuilt my trans and my engine with success. You too can do this with the help of the forum and the local people you meet through it!

So... go get a good pre purchase inspection (PPI) on that SC!! If its a good one, BUY IT! and join this great fraternity of 911 ownership

-Michael

[80-911SC]

Originally Posted by vash

i'm ALWAYS willing to help.

do IT! bay area guys are cool. i havent gone solo on a project in a very long time.

have noticed alot of help from the bay , i am originally from the bay moved to the valley when it was chap , now all i have is a bad commute both ways ...

when is the next cars and coffee in the bay or valley area ??

[logan2z]

Thanks guys, I just might take some of you up on your generous offers to help! The PPI is scheduled for tomorrow. Fingers crossed...

[Christien]

When I bought my 911 in 2004, I couldn't have identified what part was the carburetor when looking at the engine bay. I had to look up what the fan belt was (seriously). I've got a music degree, for chrissakes - two of them! I bought an early car because I wanted to learn how all that stuff worked, as well as wanting a 911.

Since then, not only have I learned to change the oil, but also all the other regular maintenance things, replaced shocks, replaced oil lines, repaired and replaced some fuel lines, fuel pump, right up to rebuilding my transmission. I've dropped the engine 3 times, the last to swap for a replacement while I rebuild mine. All in 5 years time. 5 years ago I was NOT mechanically inclined in the slightest. Now I feel confident tackling the biggest of jobs. Funny, I can't do carpentry to save my life, because things like non-square corners in my house really throw me for a loop. I work much better with small tolerances and exact measurements, like when doing a valve adjustment.

I think you've already found the most important tool, which is this forum. Next up is Wayne's 101 Projects book - absolutely indispensable for anyone who's not already a mechanic. I also think you need to know when it's time to throw in the towel and call in the pros. When I was replacing my shocks, I couldn't get the roll pin out of the bottom. I tried every tool I could find or buy, and broke every last one of them. I followed all the instructions but still no go. I finally drove the car into the shop and had them fix it. I think there will always be those times, but since I've learned to accept that, it doesn't bother me. The other thing I've learned to accept is that, for some jobs, there is only one tool that will work. I've wasted countless hours trying to make the wrong tool work for a particular job, only to end up at the auto parts store, all greasy and dirty, to buy the right one.

I don't think there's anything on these cars you couldn't learn, so long as you're willing to take the time to read up, explore, and ask questions when you're stumped.

[Hugh R]

I'm pretty mechanical. When I bought my 84 Targa about six years ago, I spoke to a neighbor who also has an 84. He said his "tune up" which was plugs, rotor, cap oil change, filters, valve adjust and clutch adjust was $800 from the local german ********. I set the weekend aside and did it all for about $100-$200 IIRC. Your first valve adjustment is scary because you're literally doing it blind.

Plus one on the tech support from this forum. My first "search" on PP was on my autoheat, which didn't work. I looked at the wiring diagram and said to my self "I'm effed" I did a search and found the most common problem was a plastic ball and cup on a servo rod that tends to pop out under the console between the front seats. I said to myself, "no effing way". Pulled off the cover and sure enough that was the solution. Right then, I knew PP was a good thing.

[RWebb]

just plug 'wrenches, jack stands, floor jack' into the search engine - all have been discussed ad infinitum

start with an oil change; then do other things

you are lucky to live in an area where there will be lots of help

[James Brown]

Note to self.... get a 15 quart oil drain pan first!

[ruby911]

The only difference between you and the guy you might pay to do the work is at one point, that guy was either shown how to do it or read how to do it. Having access to this site gives you both of those, so it is now only a matter of reading and talking to people - you will be amazed how much you will know one year from now.

Just remember, everyone on this board was a newbie once.

[Steveinatlanta]

Realize some of the "easier" projects can take way longer than you think.

The tolerances are tighter. Changing the air cleaner may frustrate you initially...

Among all the other tools, you need more than a simple set of allen wrenches

Wayne Dempsey's 101 Projects

be careful to put the dipstick back in the little hole provided.

(Think with your dipstick, Jimmy!)

[deathpunk dan]

I am an excitable moron with relatively limited tools, a tiny cluttered garage and bad lighting...and have still been able to do *almost* everything myself thus far.

I rely on the 101 projects book, the haynes manual, and this forum.

You can do it. The outlay for tools is small compared to how much money doing basic stuff yourself will save in the long run.

[flatsixjunky]

Hello logan2z,

I was in your shoes just over a year ago. I have since been able to take care almost everything done to my car so far, this is what I have accomplished in my first year.

*Euro look conversion includes installing H-4's, J. West headlights relay, new bumper guards, tail lights covers, side view mirrors.

*Momo steering wheel and shift knob

*Full tune up, fuel filter, Alternator belt, air filter, oil filter, spark plugs, magnecor wires.

*Front spoiler

*Battery ground, starter ground.

*Front bumper new inserts and clips.

*SW dme chip.

*Installing front strut brace.

*Oil cooler air scoop.

*Detailing the car inside out, including removing seats, removing alternator for bench testing, polishing alternator and housing.

None of these are very complicated nor mechanical, but it is with little things like these where you should start so you can build confidence. I have also failed some projects, replacing wheel bearings for example, I had no confidence in my abilities at the time. I'm learning everyday, the search button is your BEST FRIEND here. Also buy a Bentley manual.

My next project is valve adjustment, and I'm considering seriously SSI's and sport muffler.

Most important thing, pick a good car, that's probably the hardest.

Here's a thread you should subscribe to:

The Ultimate Porshe 911 Technical Forum "Ultimate Thread" and "How to" Thread


So go for it and take care.

Orlando

[jimbauman]

Bay Area encompasses a lot .. .where specifically? Most of it a total newbie can manage, but there are certain things that you WILL want help with, if just for another set of eyes.... Even people with a few engines under their belt benefit from that....

JB

[theiceman]

simple rule .. when you go to change the oil and only 2 quarts come out .. stop .. don't put 10 back in .....
Common newbie mistake .... you will have a blast and be figuring out this equatio in no time ..

n

[Hetmann]

The SC is pretty easy to work on except for CIS injection which can make you crazy. Other than that pretty easy...