Just had my PPI done - Any thoughts
 

Well, I think I'll be picking up my first Porsche tomorrow! It's an '86 Cabriolet with 149k miles. It's a lot of miles, but the car is in great shape. I wanted to share with you guys what the compression and leak-down test results were and get your feedback.

The compression for all six were between 165-170lbs. The leak-down test were all between 5-10%. The mechanic said all these were very good and said the car was in great mechanical shape. Very minimal oil leakage anywhere.

There are a few minor things such as foglight bulbs being out, cnvt top has two leaks (notorious spots), and one of the contacts in the electical switches for the passenger seats needs to be cleaned.

Otherwise, everything seems to be in overall good shape. Would love any feedback on the numbers provided above.

Thanks in Advance!
JL

Wow, with the compression readings all between 165 and 170, that's very little variation. It sounds like a nice engine. Little things like electrical connections just keep you entertained. As long as teh body is good and the color is what you want it sounds really nice.

JL:

Sounds good. Read this thread:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/69423-leak-down-test.html

With that milage, and those results, top end work must of been done, any records?? Some early 3.2s had valve guide problems which was most likely corrected on the car you are looking at.

Congrats, and have fun.

JL,

Did the mechanic pull the valve covers and check for broken head studs and valve guide wear?

The compression numbers could be higher and should be if a top-end job had already been done, although the uniformity is good. Mayby that engine didn't get the orange elastomer valve stem seals.

Thanks guys for the feedback. I kind of knew that it was a positive note when the mechanic kept saying how good the numbers were. It/he was a great mechanic.....let me stand at his side during the whole inpsection (got under the car and all). I know with insurance these days, that's rare, but I sure appreciated the openess.

I have service records for the last three years, but unfortunately, nothing prior. The seller has done nothing to the motor other than valve adjustments and normal maintenance. This was one of the big ??'s as to where all the history went, but that's exactly why I insisted on getting it checked out. The car is in such good shape that I had to take the chance and go for it.

Thanks Again!
Jesse

Jesse, just curious but who did your PPI?

Price?

-Wayne