Buying a 911 - rear panel damage?

[chris129]

Hi everyone,

I've been lurking here for a while and have found this site really helpful. I've decided to purchase a 911 and I'm looking at both the 911sc and 911 carrera. I've found a 1986 3.2 carrera (and aside from the potential issue of the 915 gearbox) looks clean (from hi res pictures) and has a very good service history.

Above said. I'm off to inspect the car today but looking at the following picture has me concerned - looks like there's been a repair to the right rear fender? Lines aren't right and welds look messy. Also notice the rivet/bolt is metallic in colour and isn't the same colour as the rest of the body (e.g. looks like it's been removed/worked on).

What do you guys/gals think?

[86 911 Targa]

Originally Posted by chris129

Hi everyone,

I've been lurking here for a while and have found this site really helpful. I've decided to purchase a 911 and I'm looking at both the 911sc and 911 carrera. I've found a 1986 3.2 carrera (and aside from the potential issue of the 915 gearbox) looks clean (from hi res pictures) and has a very good service history.

Above said. I'm off to inspect the car today but looking at the following picture has me concerned - looks like there's been a repair to the right rear fender? Lines aren't right and welds look messy. Also notice the rivet/bolt is metallic in colour and isn't the same colour as the rest of the body (e.g. looks like it's been removed/worked on).

What do you guys/gals think?

More pics, including close-ups of the concerned area(s).

Also, the sound absorbing material is laying on top of the motor.

We have an '86 since new

pm me as needed.

Good luck,

Gerry

[andyt11]

i would think that any significant work there would have resulted in the loss of all the stickers on the back panel ? guess you'll know more once you see it in perso.

[chris129]

Thanks guys.

I inspected it and the fella was a real gentlemen. Although the image looks dodgy in real life it's fine - must be just the lighting.

I'm thinking of making an offer but also keen to look a few more first. See how I go.

Only 'issue' I noticed was that under the car there was no oil leak per say but I could see some oil residue around the bottom left/engine area - not sure what that is? My knowledgeable friend suggests that this is normal as the engines get very hot and some oil spits out but it's nothing to worry about. This is being very fussy, other than that looked great.

[logan2z]

Originally Posted by chris129

My knowledgeable friend suggests that this is normal as the engines get very hot and some oil spits out but it's nothing to worry about.

I'm about as far from an expert on Porsche engines as possible, but I don't believe it's normal for oil to 'spit out' of one of these engines for any good reason. Have the car inspected prior to purchase by someone expert in Porsches of this vintage. If you post your location I'm sure you'll get shop recommendations from several forum members.

[chris129]

I found a picture from another 911 3.2 and highlighted where the 'dirty bottom' is (in red).

It was dripping but rather looked like it had thin layer of oil on it.

What part is that? I've tried to find diagrams online but I can't.

[chris129]

Here's the correct part circled that had a thin layer of oil on it.



Looking at other posts on this issue, seems like the answer is 'it could be anything' and 'take it for an inspection'.

[Rouxzy]

When you find one that you really want to buy make sure you have a Porsche knowledgeable mechanic do an inspection. The couple of bucks you pay for an inspection can save you thousands.
Tom

[gregwils]

It's a little hard to determine from the photo exactly what you have circled, but you are near #1 cylinder or the back of the left chain box. Your circle looks like you are at the back of the heat exchanger, which is the source of warm air for the passenger compartment. Depending on the severity and how tight that hose is from the exchanger to the tube, you could get a little odor inside. Oil could be seeping from the back of the chain box where the cam exists, out of the cam tower where the cam exists or from around the rockers. The bottom of the engine does appear to a little "wet" in the photo. It isn't hurting anything, but if oil is dripping on the ground you may want to factor in the cost or effort to reseal the biggest problem areas. My $.02.

[chris129]

Thanks Tom, Greg

Just to clarify, the picture isn't that of the car I'm looking at - it's one from another thread I just used to highlight the area. I'm trying to organise for it to be inspected.

I ordered four books to read: both of Wayne's books and the service manual (bentley) and also the Zimmerman book. Looking forward to getting stuck into em.

[sancho]

Have the car inspected and if it works out and you buy it, you do need to show us some pictures.
we loooove pictures

good luck.

sancho