Routine Maintenence a MUST

[Sharkbit]

Just finished my third TB/WP replacement with success. I wanted to post this for anyone thinking of purchasing a 928 or new owners. Be positive about the past maintenance on the car and don't always believe what they tell you. Get a PPI if unsure of what to look for. My 1986 is my second 928 and I was told by the previous owner how up to date maintenance was, even had some records to prove it. I decided to go through everything after purchase I always do) and found several areas either needing attention or not properly done by previous mechanics. When replacing the TB (records show it was replaced about 5 years ago with very little mileage since) I found the tensioner had NEVER been rebuilt judging by the boot and O-ring, the idlers had never been replaced and in horrible shape, and the WP was rusted around the impeller and made a nice moan when turned by hand. I am glad I completed the work and avoided what could have been a horrible situation just waiting to happen.

[Mrmerlin]

cool glad shes running great

[Mark SF]

I bought mine last week with no evidence of TB changes. So it's going in for a PPI on Wednesday, and a full TB and water pump job - that's if the PPI tells me that the car is in decent enough shape to be worth spending anything on.

[Mrmerlin]

I suggest to use a new Laso WP,
no more rebuilds

[Sharkbit]

I agree. Only new WP's. I have heard too many horror stories, and have a member of my region who used a rebuilt and had it lock up while on a road trip. Also a firm believer of WYIT.

[SolReaver]

Way to go Sharkbit!

Routine maintinance IS a must and throwing a TB and WP job in there first thing is WELL worth the effort. You will probably find quite a few other things to take care of. The Normal "refresh" and inspection process to clear out the glaring bugs, gremlins, and other deferred maintinance items can turn into a long list and IMHO taking it a "chapter at a time" per Sharkskin (who has some excellent write ups BTW) is a sound course.

A PO that either doesn't know or misrepresents the state of maintinance on a 928 and PM work that is sub par? What are the chances of that happening on this model?? Sad but true: that is the state of most of the 928s that come up for sale. You made your choice and have the car. Not taking it personally and moving on with the task(s) at hand is the responsible and adult thing to do. In short...they All need work. The WYAIT can be a killer...BUT a man's gotta do what a man has gotta do.

In Defense of the PO...(yea, I am defending the PO, what of it?) They really might not have known about a lot of this stuff and might really have thought that the car was "good to go". It depends upon how mechanically inclined they were (are?). Even professional mechanics are a bit out of thier league when it comes to p-928s as is evident almost any time you run into a PM s work.

As to price....No seller wants to admit that the car needs several thousand dollars worth of work (and again, MOST of them do) and a bizzare state of denial sets in. By the time they actually decide to let thier beauty go (tough decision) they have thouroughly convinced themselves as to it's inflated worth. Since it hasn't broken down lately....what could possibly be wrong? It still LOOKS like a million and purrs like a lion so it is worth some decent dough. RIIIGHT??

OK then, check the Grounds (including the battery strap) CV's, all fluids, Suspension, clean the fusebox, etc....etc....start with the Suggested maintinace in the manual and checklist it ALL off with an eye to PPiing the vehicle.

Battle on brave soldier:

[Sharkbit]

Thanks. I own three Porsche's (928, 911, 944) and love them all, but the 928 is my favorite and my daily driver. There are many first time owners who look at these great cars the same as a Chevy when it comes to maintaining them. They all require TLC and devoted maintenance. With that come the rewards of one of the best autos to ever be produced. I just have never understood why someone would own a special car and not take special care of it..?? I guess since I have been rebuilding/restoring cars since I was 15 I have a different perspective than the average Joe, but don't all of us 928 owners/gear heads.. ?? Love the forum. It has helped many times with the little things.

[Danglerb]

The 928 is not a very forgiving car when it comes to PM. Porsche clearly expected the car to be maintained at something like a NASCAR level of PM, so its maybe a bit amazing the state many of them are driven around in.

Biggest lesson for me, the absolute nicest looking low mileage 928 I have seen, and I mean nice, as in showroom nice, with current service records etc. took a $7k service to bring it up to 100% daily driver reliability.

[Landseer]

Good advice, thanks.
Its pretty satisfying to be able to refresh these 25 year old cars for use as daily drivers.