New 928 Owner with questions

928Newbie · 08-02-2007, 05:36 AM

Hi Everybody,

Okay I never owned a Porshe before so forgive me if I sound like a moron.

I'm hoping somebody can answer a few questions or give me some ideas on a few things.

The car I found was a 78 928 Euro, I paid $2600 for it. It has been stored inside since 1993. I got it running but it appears it has a few issues.

It has a smell of antifreeze on top of the engine when warm, there is no visible leak, I tightened the myriad of hoses but it still smells of that sweet antifreeze, is there a particular hose that often leaks or gasket or whatever thats a known problem with this engine?

The rear hatch won't stay closed, the latch mechanism does not appear to work properly, it catches but will pop up when I close the drivers door or it will pull open if I lift up on the hatch, any ideas on how to adjust this so it locks?
Or what part needs to be replaced?.

The last question is when I drive the car, it sounds like one of the tires is shaped like a D. When I hit the brake it even gets worse. This heavy pulsation is very disturbing. I can't tell what wheel as it seems like it is coming from the back but the right front wheel is like 500 degrees after a 2 minute drive.

I have already ordered a new front wheel caliper as it is obviously sticking but what is causing this pulsation sensation? Could the rotor be warped?

I have only driven the car 5 miles so far.

So far I really like the car, the parts prices however are outrageous.

Thanks for any help or suggestions on what I should check/replace on a 71k mile 928 thats been sitting since 1993.

psychII · 08-02-2007, 06:43 AM

Congratulations on your find! A '78 Euro for $2600 is not bad.

I am a relative newb myself, so the following are just opinions/suggestions.

If you are driving on the same tires that have been sitting on the car since '93, you need to get them off before driving more. My guess is, that is part of the pulsation you referred to, and there are safety issues with tires that old.

As far as the coolant smell, could be the o-rings around the thermostat. If you have a small flashlight, look into the "valley" (the area under the intake plenum) and you may see a puddle. There may also be a coolant hose that runs under there somewhere.

You mentioned expensive parts and known trouble areas. Yes, parts are expensive. But if you do your own work, you will save a ton in labor costs. The only real trouble areas are the crispy rubber, seals, vacuum lines, hoses on a 29 year old car. Change them now. The Achilles Heal on these cars is the timing belt. Change it now along with the other WYIT stuff before driving.

Plan on spending 3-5K (or more if you pay someone else) getting her back up to snuff and you should have a reliable car.

Post some pics!

Hope this helps. Others will chime in shortly...

Danglerb · 08-02-2007, 10:14 AM

Welcome and congratulations on your car.

Stop driving it. Pardon the abrupt tone, but I want to put down a few points quickly, and let the forum go over details and more friendly stuff leisurely later on.

Its not safe and you may be doing damage that will be very costly to repair.

Old gas can quickly foul up your fuel injection controller, the WUR, and it won't be fun. Drain the old gas and replace the fuel filter.

Gas under high pressure in 30 year old rubber hoses sets cars on fire.

Coolant has anticorrosive additives that last for a couple years or so, then the coolant turns acid and starts eating aluminum, like your heads. NAPA sells PH test strip kits, don't just drain and dump the old coolant, check it.

Before starting the motor some oil should have been shot down each spark plug hole, a few drops to lubricate the rings.

You need to get one of the local 928 guys to look over your car with you and get you started on the right foot.

Best thing to start with would be to complete your user information in the user control panel of the forum, put in your rough location, I'm SoCal, and in your sig put some details on your car.

Taking a wild guess on the hatch, the tongue on top goes down in a flexible sleeve the often breaks on old cars and gets tossed. This link talks about a repair, and the rubber piece, but yours like mine may be gone.
http://members.rennlist.com/pirtle/zbody_hatch_fix.txt

rich · rich's Garage

The wheel heating problem your discribing is most likely a stuck brake caliper or a wheel bearing or both. I agree, stop driving the car and spend a couple of bucks now to save thousands later.

Nice purchase

surfdog4 · 08-02-2007, 12:22 PM

I have been going through a similar inventory on my recently acquired '81...I have been happy to find that 928 international (928intl.com) has many used parts..i wouldn't use them for everything, but for some things it can be a substantial cost savings.

928Newbie · 08-09-2007, 10:28 AM

Wow..thanks for all the help and links to sites with better prices than my local dealer, ordered new timing belt, thermostat, brake rotors and caliper. I also got the hatch fixed with a small shim behind the rubber. The green shark should be roadworthy in a few weeks.
Thanks for all the help.

rich · rich's Garage

Green? Got any pics?...

928Newbie · 08-10-2007, 03:31 AM

I'll take some pictures this weekend while I'm waiting on the FedEx truck to arrive with all my parts. Okay all you diehard collectors, don't read any further as you won't like whats coming. I had the green shark painted Lime Gold Pearl Coarse Metallic. It was the original oak green and to me it was just plain boring, Good God, am I crazy you ask, well, I never intended to restore this car back to concours condition as my budget won't allow it. I just wanted a toy to drive and have fun with that I could still drive to work and go get groceries with. I know that will really fry a few of you but this car is the only vehicle I've ever owned where the parts are worth 10 times the cost of the vehicle completed and running. So the depreciation can't get much lower so why not make it how I want it.
It's still 99% original but I added a wing, S4 badging, bumper guards, and dare I say it... I want to tint the rear windows as there is just way too much glass back there for me. Maybe I'll go with that gradient mirrored green tinted window tint. Any comments...be gentle!

Danglerb · 08-10-2007, 08:35 AM

Hey its YOUR car, what others think, pfff.

Most of the paint noise is from resprays that didn't turn out well, or in some cases didn't start out well either.

Want to make a splash start talking about replacing the least remarkable part of the 928, with a nice reliable power plant like a Chevy, then the natives get restless.

BTW the tint takes some getting used to, and state laws may vary, but it sure cuts down on the green house effect.

curt_924 · 08-14-2007, 04:54 AM

Congrats on the car!
Had some similar issues with my 79 down the road.. and yes they are expensive to repair. Used parts will make the car more affordable..
In regards to the rear hatch.. I'm not sure if you solved the issue yet.. but I found that as teh rubber in the receptacle cracked and fell out (lower in the body) the rear hatch would not stay closed. If this is the case.. you can spend 80-100 bucks for a used replacement or *possibly* go to home depot.. go to the plumbing section and get a 6" by 6" section of brown rubber (about 1/8" thick) cut it to fit in a "u" section in the receptacle and glue it down. Will hold teh hatch in place very nicely.

-curt
79' 928
80' 924 needing a home

Fabio421 · 08-14-2007, 07:37 AM

Welcome to the board. That paint description sounds interesting. I would love to see pictures of that. Don't worry about what everybody else likes. We can't even agree on what we like

. The easiest way to update the looks of a 928 is to update the wheels. The original wheels make the car look its age. When you update the wheels, the car looks very modern.

Danglerb · 08-14-2007, 11:52 AM

Nobody sells a replacement rubber bit for the lock receiver? Ouch, looks like only the whole lower section is available and its NLA for pre 84 (manual release).

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/PartsLookup/search.cgi?command=show_page&Catalog_Name=928_USA_83_86_KATALOG&Illustration=803-05&Line_Item=6

928 512 055 40 DECK DECKELSCHLOSS-, Lower part -83 no longer available

928-512-055-20-OEM Lid lock, lower part 84- 1 $109.25

Rixter · 08-14-2007, 11:59 AM

Roger Tyson at 928srus should have a replacement for the lower receiver
www.************

and I'll hold my tongue about your painting over a green shark

Danglerb · 08-14-2007, 12:23 PM

Most of the usual places have the whole receiver new for about $110, what I lament is the lack of the rubber part being sold separately for like $20 or something.

Here is a link to a picture of the receiver. I am talking about just the light colored part.
http://www.mailordercentral.com/928intl/prodinfo.asp?number=928%20512%20055%2020

Anybody know if the newer part works in older cars? Looks like it should.

OTOH whats the point in wasting any concern over less than $1k repairs?