new 928s owner

[PC-85-928S]

hello,
I bought my first Porsche, a 1985 928S with 80,000 miles.
It had been sitting several years due to a leaking fuel tank.
I just got it back from the shop on Monday, after replacing the broken fuel line (tank to pump), fuel pump, fuel filter, ignition, fuel pump, and fuel injection relays.
They also replaced the water pump, the timming belt, a timing belt roller, the power steering, alternator, air pump, and air conditioning belts. The brakes were bled, the headlamps and wipers replaced, and new front rotors and pads, and the coolant was flushed.
With all that done I have put apx 200 miles on it, going very easy. I have to bring it back to have the timing belt tensioned after apx 2500 miles.

In the morning when I start it, it runs very rough. It is very jerky, and the idle is inconsistant. After it warms up it runs good. The idle is a little rough at stop lights as well.

I have not done a tune up yet. Will this cure the rough idle, or should I be checking the vacuum lines?

Are those kits with all new vacuum lines worth 125.00?

Thanks,

[dcrasta]

Yes the vacuum line kit is worth it. It has hard plastic OEM style lines and the proper elbows etc.

How does it shift? If its jerky have you checked the vacuum line going to the pressure modulator?

I would suggest using a mighty vac or gauge to test all the vacuum lines. (this allows u to check the diaphrams also for leaks).

85/86 have a wierd intake, with 10 rubber boots connecting the different chambers. My boots had several splits on the 'under'side of the boots, so visual inspection they didn't appear to be damaged, but they were. I also suggest replacing any bad hose clamps with porsche clamps, as they are narrower than 'generic' hose clamps.

When the car is idling, if you listen carefully sometimes u can 'hear' vacuum leaks. But yes I would check all the vacuum lines and hoses including breather lines. Vacuum leaks can cause real funky idle conditions especially when cold.

Good luck!

[PC-85-928S]

I should have stated it is an automatic, and sometimes it does shift hard, even chirping the tires. My mechanic mentioned the torque tube causing this.

[MPDano]

Wow, you got mega work done by your mechanic. Can I ask what you paid for all that work?

Welcome to the Club!

[PC-85-928S]

$2174.00

[PC-85-928S]

I should have done the front brakes myself, that was 475.00
but they were very rusted, and i wanted the car to be driveable when I picked it up.

[Maleficio]

Congrats. The standard entry protocol into 928 forums is to post pics of your new car.

For the rough idle, I'm not sure because mine is a Jetronic system, but I keep reading a lot of posts about the warm-up regulator on your model.

I would begin with two tanks with Amsoil Performance Improver (fuel injection cleaner). This stuff put me way ahead of schedule on waking mine up. There are other good injector cleaners out there, and I tried a couple of them on the 928, but Amsoil PI is the only one that made any sort of difference.

You should do some of the things I've done lately that have helped rejuvenate the electrical system. First: replace the ground strap from the engine to the chassis. Don't just clean it, replace it. This strap is prone to internal corrosion due to being unsheathed and positioned very close to the exhaust down-pipe. Do the same for the ground strap from battery to chassis. Just replace it.

Then go into your electrical control panel, remove all your fuses (make note of where they go with a photo), spray all the slots with WD40 and then scrub them with a wire brush. Replace with brand new fuses.

WD40 has been the key element lately in getting my electrics working better.

You said your brakes were bled. Why did they not flush and fill the brake system? For your own safety, replace your brake fluid.

I cleaned my engine a few times over the last month. The cleaner it is, the easier it is to see what you're doing in there, and the easier it is to see problems like leaks or broken things.

My favorite engine degreaser is Gunk "Foamy". The Foamy cleaner is absolutely stellar. My engine is looking great now, and Foamy is the only product that would penetrate that 28 year old grime.

Have a look at the aluminum components on the front of the engine that were heavily oxidized, and now shiny. I cleaned with Gunk Foamy, then conditioned the metal parts with WD40 and a wire brush and rag. I don't like my engine looking like a tractor engine from 1928. WD40 helped out a bunch after I got it all cleaned up.

[PC-85-928S]

nice real nice
my mistake the brake system was flushed and replaced with ATE BLUE DOT 4

[Maleficio]

Originally Posted by PC-85-928S

nice real nice
my mistake the brake system was flushed and replaced with ATE BLUE DOT 4

Good to hear. Enjoy your new 928.

[PC-85-928S]

after you apply that gunk foamy, do you wipe it off with a rag?
I wouldn't think using a hose would be a good idea under this hood

[Maleficio]

Originally Posted by PC-85-928S

after you apply that gunk foamy, do you wipe it off with a rag?
I wouldn't think using a hose would be a good idea under this hood

Go to a manual car wash. Shut off the car, and let the engine cool with the hood up for a while before you spray it on. You can spend this cooling time cleaning your wheels. You spray it on, let it sit for ten or fifteen minutes, then hose it off with a high-pressure sprayer.

If you feel nervous about wetting your engine, then don't do it. I have never had any problems, only clean engines.

[lfausty]

Huge work done, sweet to be you! -- pic of car please ext color/ int.

definately getting all the fpanel contacts contacting the best they can be works miracles as well all the ground points. green wire (ign wire) at distrib to pass side fire wall old/brittle replaced?

Malefico wawhoaa soooo bright/shiny gotto turn the brightness down on me screen , lol

[PC-85-928S]

[PC-85-928S]

[PC-85-928S]

[MPDano]

Very nice. I love those S3's

[Maleficio]

Looks awesome! So what all doesn't work in the interior?

[PC-85-928S]

here is my list of issues:
1) when first starting in the morning it is like a bucking bronco.
lots of hesitation, some sputtering, gets going eventually, then runs smooth on highway.
2)timing belt light comes on, I was hoping that would stop after bringing it back in 2500 miles for re tensioning.
3) low coolant light occasionally, even though level and operating temp are fine.
4) Tail lamp warning light, even though they are working. I read a post about making sure bulbs are the same wattage
5)gas gauge occasionally quits. I think the float may be faulty, since it was sitting for so long. hopefully it will get better on it's own
6)rear wiper goes moves, but them wont move back. Quick inspection looks like the nub under the arm worn.
7)oil pressure and temp gauge flutter occasionally.
8)odometer was working but now looks as though it stopped, weird

Cosmetic issues
1)small cracks on dash pod and dash board
2)needs touch up and good detailing
3)air box cover cracked

that mostly covers it, any help very appreciated

[PC-85-928S]

i changed the plugs, wires, rotors, distributors, and intake rubber seals myself.
The caps showed black scoring on them, and made the biggest difference after being replaced. The idle smoothed out!
I found great prices from this web site
Mercedes Benz Parts, Volkswagen Parts, BMW Parts, Volvo Parts, VW Parts - Low Prices - Free Shipping

[Danglerb]

Clean all the electrical grounds, clean and reseat all the connections to the instrument cluster, clean all the sensor contacts. Odometer may need a gear replaced that is known to go bad.

Rear wiper often has alignment issues.

I would not wait 2500 miles to have the timing belt light resolve itself. Tell your mechanic about it, let it be his responsibility on how to proceed.

What mechanic/shop do you use?