1985 928 s4

[924Buff]

I have just had an inquiry about a 1985 928 S4 that someone got from his brother. His comment was the shop he took it to had it running and it just died. My question is are these interference motors? The car had been sitting for a couple of years and I am a little concerned that proper attention was not paid to the timing belts.

Thanks for your replies.

Tom Cooper

[Jon B.]

One, either the shop is wrong or there is a typo. The 928 S4 was available from '87-91. They are all interference engines. The US spec 32v '85-86 928 S was also interference. So, regardless of what the car actually is, if it's got a 32v engine it is an interference engine.

[924Buff]

Thanks that's what I thought, but just could not find a way to confirm it.

Tom

[dcrasta]

Just died ? Thats not very descriptive.

Did the timing belt break?

There is an inspection hole over each cam gear.

[MPDano]

Interference Motor and it just died? I'd be scared of it too. Follow dcrasta and see if the belt is ok or remove the top TB Covers and see. If the belt even has a hint of slippage or looks bad, I would run very very fast.

If the TB looks ok, then do a Compression test on each Cylinder and post. If the seller won't let you do this, then walk away.

[dcrasta]

You could also turn it over by hand using the crank bolt, take out the plugs and you can usually tell if you got a problem. Bent valve is not a deal breaker if you have the patience to remove the heads , inspect for piston damage, and replace the bent valves. Usually you can end up with 2 or 4 cylinders that have a problem, it could be something else (before we jump to conclusions and another parted out car!)

[Danglerb]

Originally Posted by 924Buff

I have just had an inquiry about a 1985 928 S4 that someone got from his brother. His comment was the shop he took it to had it running and it just died. My question is are these interference motors? The car had been sitting for a couple of years and I am a little concerned that proper attention was not paid to the timing belts.

Thanks for your replies.

Tom Cooper

More detail and accuracy plz.

Is this about a transaction or fixing a car already owned?

All 85+ are interference motors, so belt is first thing to check.

BTW the belts are a symptom, rarely the cause.

[924Buff]

There has been a slight misunderstanding, the inquiry I got was from an individual who already owns this 928. He was wanting to know if I had any information about where to get a rebuild or used fuel distributor. The shop he took it to replaced the fuel pump, got the car running and then it "just died". I agree that it's not very descriptive, but that's all the information I had.

Since it sat for a couple of years, I am afraid that the shop didn't have any real knowledge of Porsche cars and didn't even consider the timing belts. I have indicated to the owner that he may have a problem with the timing belts, and that should be check before he goes any further. I want to know what the fuel pressure is and if there is any spark before he starts trying to find a fuel distributor.

Don't know where the idea that he was thinking about parting it out came from.

Tom

[MPDano]

What? Fuel Distributor on a 85? Post pics and the engine number and we'll tell you what you really got. Way too many inconsistent info going on here.

[Danglerb]

Like Leo said, 85 isn't an S4, neither has a fuel distributor, and generally speaking a fuel distributor won't make it just die. Taking a 928 to a shop that doesn't know the 928 well OTOH can make them just die and/or your wallet.

Your friend needs to "nerd up" and come online with real details and pictures and what might also help is some idea of location so somebody local might give him a hand.

[924Buff]

I'll direct him to this thread. I have already told him about the board and the rennlist. I am not sure where he got my name. I just got an e-mail out of the blue. The location is Lincoln, Nebraska, so I don't think there is much local help around.

Tom