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Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Baltimore MD
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New to this forum, reviving '88 928s4

Greetings everyone,
I bought a 1988 928s4 in July of 1997. Drove it until 2003 when it began to miss and become unreliable. Previous owner had done some damage, had Circuit City install aftermarket remote door unlock/theft alarm, to do this they cut the factory wiring to plumb that crap in. Central door unlock doesn't work and other gremlins crept in until it wouldn't start. I couldn't find a mechanic I trusted to work on the car. Had it towed to a mechanic who worked on MB, he kept it 1.5 months and couldn't fix it. It's been sitting for the last 10 yrs and I've finally decided to start the revival process and would love to know where to start. It's got to be repainted, all weather seals need replacing, kids tried to break off the rear windshield wiper and it defeated them, but is ruined nonetheless. I already know that I'll sink 3-4 times as much money to get it running than book value has it, but it's that important to me to have it drivable again.

Old 02-16-2013, 08:05 PM
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Hi. Welcome....good luck with your revival. I know not of the newer models, but the guys will all begin to chime in soon....keep us posted as you progress.
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Ron
1978 5sp (#30) project-Wreckscue, 1979 5sp Euro Project
1982 5sp resto project, 1985 Auto S3
1984 Parts car (the fire car) 1987 s4 (parts, or maybe project)
(Yes, I now have 4 project Sharks)
Old 02-16-2013, 08:39 PM
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Go to 928gt.com and print of the fuse/relay chart for your car. Replace all of your fuses and clean the contacts with a Dremel tool to ensure a good connection. Clean ALL of your ground connections (there are many), clean your positive battery terminals, replace your battery ground strap, and check/clean your 14 pin connector in the engine bay.

I would recommend pulling the tank to thoroughly clean it of any varnished fuel; there will be varnished fuel. You will need a new fuel pump and filter. While that is on the way, I would remove the sending unit and take it apart to clean it of any varnished fuel so that the float can operate as it should again. Replace the gasket of course.

If it were my car, I would replace all 8 fuel injectors after the preceding work was completed. Change the oil, put gas in it, and try to start it up. I wouldn't be surprised if it had started after that work were completed, though it will not be nearly ready for the road again by this point. Hearing it breath for just a moment should provide just the motivation that WILL be needed to make it road worthy again.

Maintenance I'd recommend after your first start:
Timing belt, water pump, PKensioner
New cam gears, oil pump gear, etc.
Intake refresh per Dwayne's writeup
New caps, wires, plugs
All new drive belts

Probable other maintenance needs:
Steering rack
Motor mounts
Oil pan gasket
Old 02-16-2013, 09:00 PM
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Doc,
I congratulate you on your decision to get the car running again.

I deduce by your comments that you do not personally wrench on your own cars?

I would recommend that first, you need to decide what, if any, part of the "re-animation" of this car, you personally will be doing. If you are supplying the cash only, I applaud that decision. Personally, I would not take that route, but I appreciate folks that can and do.

The car will need a new timing belt. A timing belt failure in a 32 valve version of the 928 such as yours is disastrous and very expensive. A new water pump would be a good idea also as a "While You're At It"(WYAIT) kind of thing. All fluids will need to be changed. That aftermarket alarm system that so aptly disabled the car will need to be removed. All the grounds in the car will need to be cleaned. The fuel pump(s) will probably need to be replaced since they do not sit well without periodic use.

These are just the things that pop to me immediately.

If you are not going to wrench on it yourself, there ARE good 928 mechanics on your side of the country. USE ONLY A 928 MECHANIC!!! A Porsche mechanic is not good enough. A Porsche mechanic is not necessarily a 928 mechanic. USE A 928 MECHANIC!!!!

Folk on this forum in your area will recommend who you should use for this project. Talk to the mechanics, interview them, and decide which you want to use.

Remember: it's your car and your money.
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Grand Prix White 1994 GTS AT (The GTS)
Black 1989 GT (The GT) and Cobalt Blue 1989 S4 AT (The Blue Car) 1986 Euro AT
Indishrot 1984 Euro S AT (The Stepson) and Black Metallic 1984 Euro S 5 speed (The Schwartz)
Old 02-16-2013, 09:04 PM
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Welcome Doc, Contact Jim Doerr (jadz928) 928 Classics He might have a spot open for your restoration or at least get you rolling again. He does excellent work and he's right next door in Richmond, VA. 77tony

Last edited by 77tony; 02-16-2013 at 09:26 PM..
Old 02-16-2013, 09:16 PM
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Welcome to the group. Very good idea to get into the loop with some of the local guys and decide on a good 928 mechanic even if it means a few hours on a trailer.
Old 02-17-2013, 12:40 AM
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Great on all the advice given here Doc. P.S. I was at Doc (gun fighter) Holiday's grave in Glenwood Springs, Co., last year. A nice little hike to cemetery. Someone left a few playing cards and spent shells on his stone! Good luck with your car.
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Old 02-17-2013, 04:34 AM
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928: Serial Enabler
 
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One guy in NOVA that can help is Kevin L., (KLVA on Rennlist).

Good person, knowledgeable, occasionally does some work on other's cars, tied in with the group of guys from your general area that puts on the Frenzy near Dulles every year. He, Jim Doerr and I did the electrical exorcism on Charles Payne's black S4 one afternoon.

He can also point you towards parts, best practices, etc. Rennlist is also a good place to join due to the extensive archives and participation by guys with 90+ MY S-4. If there is somebody up that way they trust to work on the mechanicals of the cars, they will know. Paint too.

Jim (Jadz 928) from Richmond is also on Pelican a lot, he may have additional ideas for you.

Last edited by Landseer; 02-17-2013 at 07:40 AM..
Old 02-17-2013, 05:36 AM
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Old 02-17-2013, 05:53 AM
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Doc, is your S4 an auto? And yes pics would be appreciated greatly. One of your kid arm wrestling the rear wiper too.
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Old 02-17-2013, 04:00 PM
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Doc,
Great talking with you today. I enjoyed your enthusiam to get your car running well again!

I referred Doc onto Fraggle who will take good care of his 928, I'm sure.

Tony, thanks for the referral. Just sticking with the OBs, but I'll always do what I can to get someone connected.
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Old 02-18-2013, 05:02 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jadz928 View Post
Doc,
Great talking with you today. I enjoyed your enthusiam to get your car running well again!

I referred Doc onto Fraggle who will take good care of his 928, I'm sure.

Tony, thanks for the referral. Just sticking with the OBs, but I'll always do what I can to get someone connected.
Sounds great Jim. I knew you would steer Doc in the right direction if not taking on the work yourself. T
Old 02-18-2013, 05:30 PM
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Jim,
Good referral and a good move on DocHoliday's part to take the time to listen.
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John Curry (Drift King) 928OC member
Grand Prix White 1994 GTS AT (The GTS)
Black 1989 GT (The GT) and Cobalt Blue 1989 S4 AT (The Blue Car) 1986 Euro AT
Indishrot 1984 Euro S AT (The Stepson) and Black Metallic 1984 Euro S 5 speed (The Schwartz)
Old 02-18-2013, 09:47 PM
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Old 02-18-2013, 10:52 PM
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needs new tires. Again.
 
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I'm here! Talking to Doc off list to get a revival plan together. From this thread it sounds like there's a lot of debugging and inspecting to do before we even get started with the mechanicals. I've got a good portion of the wiring diagrams memorized after the long work with my '87. Looking forward to the project.
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Old 02-19-2013, 03:15 PM
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Thanks to everyone for all the valuable tips and good thoughts. I had no illusion that this would be a cakewalk by any stretch, but I needen't tell anyone here that the 928 is worth it at any price, at least it is to me. I called Jim Doerr and he referred me to Mike "Fraggle" and we're trying to schedule a time so he can come and view the remains.
To " the Fixer" I misspoke...the kids who tried to break off the rear wiper were NOT mine. They were neighborhood urchins who are fortunate that I was no where near when this happened....this kind of vandalism is hazardous to their health. Pics are forthcoming for the "faithless" amongst us.
Old 02-21-2013, 09:20 PM
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needs new tires. Again.
 
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I'm looking forward to helping given my hard won lessons on my '87. We'll get this car revived and running awesome.
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Old 02-22-2013, 05:03 PM
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928: Serial Enabler
 
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Fraggle!

Dammmmn.



Jadz, you guys are dust'n off the big guns on this one!

Car is in good hands.





Last edited by Landseer; 02-22-2013 at 05:25 PM..
Old 02-22-2013, 05:21 PM
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needs new tires. Again.
 
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Whoa a picture of me!
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Old 02-26-2013, 07:38 AM
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With your name on your shirt, no less!

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Ron
1978 5sp (#30) project-Wreckscue, 1979 5sp Euro Project
1982 5sp resto project, 1985 Auto S3
1984 Parts car (the fire car) 1987 s4 (parts, or maybe project)
(Yes, I now have 4 project Sharks)
Old 02-26-2013, 12:29 PM
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