964 Fish Story Paranoia

[rbogh901]

So I'm going over a '90 964 and while it's not perfect, it's good, and the prices are getting attractive. I'm looking for a bit of a knock around anyway so that it will be used, (more than her Highness, the Queen of the garage). But here's the deal, condensation inside the driver's side taillight lens and water damage in the headliner covering the sunroof.

Am I paranoid? No other obvious sign of going deep six. Do the 964 sunroofs commonly leak? Do the taillight lenses leak? Can this happen in a good old fashioned rain storm? Will the Dodgers win the pennant? Any and all responses, accurate or otherwise, appreciated and duly noted.

[kurquhart]

Yes, both of those areas can leak, unfortunately.

The sunroof drains are likely clogged, e.g. from leaf debris. Search and you can find DIY instructions.

The tail lights can easily crack, and there are vent lines off the back that can become clogged or disconnected.

The other common leak point is around the A-pillar. Lift up the driver's side floor mat and I have a hunch you will find that the foam is soaking wet.

To me, it just sounds like the car was parked outside more than in a garage.

[rbogh901]

Well, that is exactly what I'll do. Check under the carpet. But I didn't see any cracks in the taillight lens.

This stuff makes me kinda wonder. I was looking at a Honda minivan a few months ago and the taillight had enough water sloshing around in it you could have kept your gold fish in there. Seems like that is just a bit over tha' limit. The dealer didn't have much to say, and who can blame him? It's hard to have a snappy response to a taillight 3/4 full of water.

[aigel]

Check VIN and make sure it has not resided in any flood territory.

This would be enough for me to walk, even if it has not been in a flood. Obviously it has been in the rain a lot - that usually doesn't happen to a pampered Sunday driver.

Plenty to cars to choose from these days - I'd move on.

George

[Newsboy]

Take the car to an independent Porsche shop for a PPI. This should be your determining factor in purchasing. The two problems you mentioned are not serious.

[rbogh901]

Even if a vehicle isn't registered somewhere recently flooded it could have been there just in time to be involved I guess. The PPI certainly makes sense but apparently both sunroof leaks and water inside the taillight lenses are common.

Is there any way easy way to know if the clutch has been replaced?

[dad911]

lenses fill/ condensate all the time. Not a big deal, I drilled tiny drain holes. It has happened on my 964, and BMW 528.

PPI the car.

[rbogh901]

Encouraging to hear that others feel that these problems are not uncommon. Maybe the roof leaks are not too hard to address. Unfortunately the headliner has started to sag around the sunroof. One thing leads to another.

Some folks say the lenses fill when the seal is not good. Then they say the seal is difficult when a car has taken damage. You can make it look good but you can't restore the tolerances to achieve the seal. Either way, water makes you wonder. Just like buying a house. But houses don't get parked in Texas during hurricanes.