One Month Anniversary

[NeedAJoker]

It has been one month since I bought my first Porsche and I am having a blast learning and getting the car all sorted. I won't go through the whole story but I bought the car at the Mecum auction in Seattle. Here is the link to the video of me buying it if anyone is interested.

1986 Porsche 3.2 Carrera - YouTube

Anyway, the car is at the mechanic today and I got a chance to stop by and go over some questions on a few items I have him addressing to get the car all squared away before I get a chance to learn how to start tackling some of these things myself.



Here is the list of my concerns to him and updates in red:

1) Full tune up, valves, spark plugs, filters, etcJust getting started here, but everything is looking great. Compression was 155-165 across the board, the spark plugs looked great, and he hasn't checked yet, but fully expects the valve guides to be in great shape due to the condition of the plugs. He drove the car and said he feels like it is running a little bit lean, and wants to replace the O2 sensor, and feels like we will get a nice boost in engine feel once he gets it right.

2) Front suspension squeak(without looking mech thought good chance it was sway bars)Still thinks sway bars, and maybe a little too much play in the wheel bearing both causing the squeak. I asked if the wheel bearings need to be replaced and he stated he would pull them and grease them up and they will be just fine.

3) Random ground wire on driver side engine bay just flopping around not attached. He seemed to know where they go.

4) Shifter bushings. I don't have another car to compare to so no clue if they are brand new or worn through.He had the same issue as me getting into 3rd a few times, but beyond that said it feels like a pretty standard 915. He is going to check/change the fluid and see if things smooth up a bit. Also still going to look at bushings.

5) A/C. Fully expecting him to tell me it is a big fix, in which case I will decide to keep or remove. If simple fix, then obviously will do it.He discovered I have an aftermarket dryer or something in my A/C system, probably an attempt at the owner who had it in Scottsdale, AZ trying desperately to make it better. The compressor is leaking and making some weird noises so he detached the belt and I don't think this is going to be something I am going to focus on fixing right now, or maybe ever.

6) Wheel Bearings. I have a semi-loud droning sound at less than 2 mph when accelerating and decelerating to a stop. I truly have no clue if it is wheel bearings but I am just guessing off my reading.He actually seemed to think that this issue is the brakes catching a little bit for some reason. We sat and spun the wheels there up on the lift and there wasn't any noise at all, so must be something when the weight of the car is on the suspension. Will be interested to hear what this is.

7) Hood Latch. The latch is really tough to close on the hood, to the point where it looks closed, then pops open(scary.) I tried to adjust the latch but it didn't really improve it.Totally forgot about this and didn't mention it.

8) Lastly I want him to look at the struts. I am pretty convinced they are warn, but right away he said they were probably OK based on a few pushes on the fenders. I told him I am budgeted for it, and if its on the edge I will probably go with replacements, so he said he would check.He said they look like they are likely the stock ones, but he showed me that they are not leaking anywhere, and in his opinion, not worth replacing them at this time. I did get a chance to see I do indeed have BOGE rear and fronts.



There are a few additional items that we are going to address as well on top of my above list:

1) He showed me a few of the fuel lines in the engine bay and there were a few small cracks on a couple of them, so he said he would feel comfortable changing them out, which we are going to go ahead and do.

2) My engine pad/firewall was missing, and he showed me an SC that he just did a replacement on with the engine in the car, and it looked great so I am going to have him do it. This is something that I am sure I could do myself but the one he did looked so good I would rather just not worry about it.

3)Oil Leaks- He showed me the few oil leaks we have. One is coming from the left side of the engine, and he showed me some areas around the spark plugs and such where there shouldn't be oil, and said some O-rings and maybe a gasket(?) would likely solve that one. There is also a small leak towards the top of the engine that he pointed out to me(not sure what that is) that he seemed confident he could fix. The last one was at the back of the engine under the fan shroud on the main pulley and he said that one is pretty much screwed without dropping the engine. He can see where someone tried to address the leak before with some sealant he saw down there. He thinks if he cleans that area really well, and applies a sort of epoxy I believe he said, there is a 50/50 chance it will help slow the leak a bit, and maybe stop it for a while.

4) Cat removal: I brought up the idea of replacing the Cat with a bypass or pre-muffler and he said he knows someone with a few used ones and he would see if we could get one at a good price so might go that route if we can.

I still kind of feel like the struts/shocks if original, would have to show me a decent benefit if replaced with new Bilstein's all around? He seemed to think it wouldn't be a big change, but I am feeling like he may just be trying to save me money. I guess maybe this is a project I can attack on my own over the 6 month winter when I am bored. If I take that much time, hopefully I can learn a few things and get it right.



Anyway, everything is looking good so far and I am seriously excited to get it back hopefully next Monday.

Cheers,

Kevin

[tmadden2]

I had that hood latched / not-really-latched problem until I tightened up the two little round black plastic stops on the corners. A few turns let the hood latch a little lower and it hasn't come up on me on the road since.

[JJ 911SC]

Kevin,

Great but I would hate to see the bill you are going to get.

After I got bad service from a local recommended PCA garage, I bought a scissors lift and never look back. It pay for it self in less than 2 years and the enjoyment of doing the work yourself (with the help of this board) is half the fun of owning and older Porsche.

Just in case you might not think you can do it, before getting mine, I never did any mechanics in my life and my first tap ever was to fix a broken exhaust stud when I backdate to SSIs.

[NYNick]

Kev,
This is a pretty comprehensive check up, and I applaud you and your mechanics for taking the time to go over everything right off the bat.
#1) very good….sounds accurate.
#2) Sounds like the sway bars…a couple of pennies worth of grease should do the trick
#3) Easy peasy
#4) Let's hope a fluid check does the trick….
#5) It can wait/who cares/depends where you live
#6) Doesn't sound like bearings. They wobble when pulling on the wheels on the lift, or make a noise when driving and steering hard to the left or the right. A drone isn't the correct sound. Again, let's hope for the brakes and a frozen caliper or something.
#7) NBD..(no big deal)
#8) Take his advice…for now. After you start jarring your fillings loose, or can see them leaking, do them then. Now is not the time.

#1) Do the fuel lines for sure
#2) Engine pad/firewall. Oh geez, go ahead. NBD for now.
#3) All oil leaks that can be repaired PROPERLY with gaskets etc. should be done. Epoxying is not a proper fix.
#4) CAT bypass is alway a good idea, as long as you're not in an environmentally nazi state.
#5) Again, leave the shocks, save the $. You will have more than enough time to spend money on your new baby in the future.

You're off to a good start! Don't be in a such a rush to spend your hard earned money. Take the time to buy the Wayne books and learn learn learn. This way your money will be put in the correct places.

Congratulations! You're officially a Porsche nut!

Nick