PPI - Are These Show Stoppers?

[Smoove1010]

Greetings to the forum from a newbie! My learning curve has been very steep this past few months as I've searched for my first 911. I did my pre-pre-purchase inspection on one this weekend, and took pics underneath of potential issues that jumped out at me. I'm looking for show-stoppers before I plunk down $$ for a real PPI (which I will insist on before buying.)
The first pic is of a rusty vent (part of the heat exchange system?) - can someone educate me as to what this is, and whether this looks like trouble? The second looks like a piece of the chassis was cut out to access bolts for a bushing bracket, and then patched - is this a sign of trouble or a common way to address rusty bolts? Thanks very much in advance for any guidance - this forum is a tremendous resource for those of us who are just finding out how much we really don't know...

[wildcat077]

First off,i would say that the heater vent flap unit is pretty rusty,although i can easily be removed,sandblasted and repainted and in the second picture it looks like you are blessed with the newer reinforced style sway bar brackets/mounts ...

At first glance it looks like the car was exposed to rough environments and i would look it over carefully for any more signs of corrosion !

Cheers !
Phil

[steely]

Welcome Smoove!

+1 I agree Phil nailed it.

I just (last yr) made a small project of blasting/powder coating my heater flapper boxes. Not a showstopper - cheaper to recycle than purchase - only affects cabin temp.

The cars sometimes had their rear sway bar mount welds snap. Newer ones are welded on and are much better. And you got'em already.

Show us a pic of the car when you get a chance. - oops I mis-read your post - good luck with your search!

[Jerome74911S]

The above replies are correct. However, does the heater valve actually work? If it does, this not something for immediate concern. It's cosmetic if it works. Anyway, I bought new valves because mine were stuck - and they didn't look as bad as yours. Check them out; it's no big deal.

[Smoove1010]

Did not think to check to see if the valves worked (wasn't entirely sure at that point what they were...) - will ask that the tech who does the PPI checks for me. If I choose to buy this 911, a heater box recon might be project #1.

The rest of the underside was corrosion-free - this was the one rusty bit that caught my eye, the main reason for my taking a picture.

Thanks for the great input. Between the forums and "A Used Porsche Story" the learning curve continues....

[timchar]

How's it look around the battery? Tim

[jimtweet]

mine were just as bad man,...

before...



sand blasted and new bushings, and greased, and painted

[nineball]

call bill at :: R U D T N E R S * R A C I N G * G R O U P ::

he is a really nice guy. when i was searching a few years back i had a ppi done there and passed on the car thanks to the inspection a few states away from me. bill and i had a good 2 hour conversation about the car after the inspection and he called me a few months later with another car he had found for sale. i had mine by then but it was a nice thing to have happen.

fwiw i paid $419 and tax 3 years ago for a full ppi including a leakdown that revealed a 60% loss in #1, rust and a host of other items the seller did not tell me about over the phone. bill saved me from buying someone else's headache.

[dshepp806]

I'd check that car over VERY carefully for rust.

BEST!

Doyle