Awakening an 85 928s

[VW928]

I just bought a 928s from my neighbor who was moving. He has stored it for 7 years and we towed it to my driveway. Before I turn that key any suggestions. I was planning on checking timingbelt tension and timing, spraying wd40 in the cylinders and changing out fuel. Other thoughts? Here are some pic's of the car I scored for $1,500. Thanks

[Danglerb]

Why was it parked for 7 years?

I'd say your on the right track, get rid of all the old fuel. I would drain the old fuel, flush the lines, drop the tank and clean it, and replace all the old rubber and hoses and fuel filter. This includes replacing the rubber fuel injection lines up front, which means you might as well pull the intake and replace all the hoses and seals there as well.

I wouldn't use WD40, its more solvent than oil. I like Marvel Mystery oil, and I would put maybe half a teaspoon down each sparkplug hole and let it set a few days, or while you replace the fuel injection hoses.

Coolant, oil, transmission, brake fluid, etc. all need to go, but I would test the coolant for PH and specific gravity, as well as pressure check the system before draining.

Good luck with it, be sure to keep us in the loop.

[Landseer]

VW,
You've done the right thing so far in being cautious.
Fantastic find and deal, BTW. Get as much history from you neighbor as possible.

Gas (per Dangler).

Timing belt + water pump + tensioner rebuild. Just do it.

Motor mounts (originals collapse, putting front lower edge of cooling fan very close to lower radiator shroud / putting much strain on driveline. Use solid aftermarket replacements for $70)

If automatic, release flexplate tension.

Fuel lines. Be wary. There are two flex lines in particular in the front of engine intakes that can solidify, crack and fail. Don't wait long to change these.

Something similar happened to us with an 86 two weeks ago, almost identical to yours. Was on its way to being a donation car. Ours had sat a year behind since being parked behind the porsche dealer, and had gone 14,000 miles in the last 10 years. The timing belt light reportedly was on when it was last driven. We elected to not even turn the engine over until replacing timing belt.

Had it flatbedded to my garage. Charged the battery so we could check electrical. While sitting inside listening to radio, my wife "touched" the starter for a split second. Moved the timing belt about two inches, very little. 5 minutes later there was a pool of antifreeze under the car. These waterpumps fail very quickly after sitting. (nearly the same thing happened to my 84, also, during a 15 mile drive from the owner to me)

On disassembly, timing belt was somewhat less flexible than new. I think it stretched and took a little bit of a set, especially the section subjected to the tensioner. Timing belts should be replaced at the low end of 40 -60K miles, or 4 years regardless of miles. Interference motor, as you surely know. It appears that the water pump is nearly "new" from mileage perspective. Could still clearly read the markings on the timing belt, too. Antifreeze looked perfect. But the WP failed and the belt was tight but I didn't trust it at all.


Be very patient. Like Xmas morning, should you partake.

[MarkRobinson]

Yes, I agree: I'd do the t-belt & WP before I start it up: if the belt has seen time/miles before it was parked, it *could* break on cranking: that'd suck. It's kinda easy to do, you don't need the manuals, just follow the directions off this site (do a search).

Remove the tin cover under the right side of the rear bumper cover to expose the blue fuel pump & silver (aluminum) fuel filter: you can drain from here, you'll want a new FF anyway.

Mark

[mdarney]

Change the fuel,, change the oil and see if it starts. Then post back here with the results and we'll go from there.

[Landseer]

Should he tape the sound of the valves as they contact the pistons, too?

[Danglerb]

Originally Posted by Landseer

Should he tape the sound of the valves as they contact the pistons, too?

Best to catch it all on video so they don't miss the fuel injection fire.

Good chance nothing happens other than the few minutes of clatter as the lifters pump up, but if he plans to keep the car everything suggested still needs to be done soon, why take the chance?

[Normy]

That looks like it has H4 headlights. Nice score! Good luck.

N

[mdarney]

So, is it running yet?

[VW928]

Thanks for all the insight and advice. I have about a week to work on it now (I have a break from the house renovation while someone else hangs the drywall) Today I took off the upper timing belt covers, rotated the engine around a few times. The timing marks all line up and are spot-on. I checked the tension with my tensionmeter and it looks good, coming in at about 75% of the window on the tighter side of things.
PO said the timing belt tension light was coming on and he didn't want to do another timing belt so the car was parked. He'd done a timing belt within the last 30,000 and it looks to be in good shape, no cracking and all printing still very legable. Anyone know how many things the timing belt light indicates? High, Low and Service interval? Anyone want to weigh in on what the car may be worth if it starts and runs out fine? It has 166,000 mi. and factory service records indicate a new transmission and torque tube. Thanks for all support so far and I'm back at it in the morning-can't wait!

[Britwrench]

At Porsche training, during discussions, we were told that any 928 that stood for three years or more needs a timing belt before attempting to start. Their reasoning was that the belt took a "set" and rotating the engine could cause problems. Anyway, why would you even risk it?

[Danglerb]

Apparently about 1 person in a 100 can resist seeing if it starts. I couldn't with mine.

[lizard928s]

throw a new belt on before cranking it for sure.

[porken]

WYAIT - upgrade!


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[VW928]

I worked on the 928 again today. I put everything back together fixed a few apparent vacuum leaks, drained the fuel, new fuel filter and cranked it. No sputtering to life. I hit it with some starting fluid (felt pretty antithetical but I did it.) It ran on starting fluid but apparently wasn't getting it's own fuel. Sprayed in more starting fluid then cranked it and got it to run on the starting fluid but nothing more...Then I smelled plastic burning...FIRE! Sheez the ether pooled in the intake tube then a backfire must have lit it. I blew it out and tossed the melting plastic tube onto the ground. Jeez, Jeez, Jeez. But admittedly I got lucky.

[VW928]

I tested current across the fuel pump relay. Good. Checked fuel pump fuse. Good. Removed fuel pump and couldn't blow air through it. I reattached it to tank line. removed leads and hooked it straight to a battery and nothing flows. It does twitch when connected and disconnected from battery but no flow. Thoughts anyone?

[Danglerb]

Reverse the leads and see if the crud in it will be ejected.

Ether is fun. I used to soak a tennis ball, set it on fire, and play catch with it at night. By the time my friends and I were done none of us had eyebrows, or hair on our arms.

[VW928]

It Runs!!! Powerful and smooth. Crux: Fuel pump devoured the decomposed hose that connects the fuel tank to pump. I put in an aux. high flow filter in front of the new pump ($300) and fuel pressure jumped right up and it started right up.

[Landseer]

Awesome. Congrats. Be safe, it will be a beast.