Advice on 89 964

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Hi everyone, I've been looking at this 89 964 C4 and had PPI done in a Porsche dealership. Just wondering from the report attached and email conversion below. How much work does it require to fix it to a daily driver?

If i decide to get the car. Is it more cost efficient to have the engine rebuilt and tranny completely? If this is the case, how much would it cost? Is there anything else I would need?

How much does it worth as it's without fixing anything?

Please advise, thanks.

James

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Hi mechanic,

I didn't get a reply from you whether if the car show signs of rust (ie paint bubble) so I figure to send you an email to follow up.

I also have a few more questions about the report.

Can you describe what you mean by the following:

"Steering wheel fluid is contaminated" - is it leaking? Or something leaked in? Please elaborate more.

"Intermittent starting issue"?

"Engine smoke on 'full load'" - what do you mean by full load?

"A/C is weak" - is it cold or not cold? Is it the fan or the air coming out is weak?

"Front differential is humming on mild load" - please elaborate what does this mean and does it leads to future problems?

What is "DME Fault For 24- H02S fault" the DME is the computer or the connector? Is the computer not working properly? what is H02S?

Thanks and will wait for your reply.

James

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Hi James

-The power steering fluid is very dark; this may incredibly dirty from use or it could be the incorrect fluid, the technician recommends a fluid flush.

-The intermittent starting issue means that there was a long crank on a couple of start-ups, this would require diagnosis to identify what the issue is.

-After the inspection we perform a road test in different driving styles, when the vehicle was at high rpm there was blue smoke from engine.

-The A/C is operational just bot blowing very cold.

-The differential is humming when at half throttle and when the technician was travelling uphill, this could be a future differential failure or another issue, it would have to be monitored/diagnosed to be sure but in my experience with humming differentials they are typically rebuilt or replaced when noises are present.

-The DME is the engine control module (the main brain if you will) The computer is working fine but there are faults in the system, this is how we knew the light for the engine light was removed at one point or another.

I hope this is helpful.

- Porsche mechanic.

[Newsboy]

You don't say what the mileage is, or whether you have the car histories from previous owners.
The differential problem, and a possible top end rebuild alone could cost you an easy 10K. Along with other problems,paint, etc... it could cost much more. So unless this car is selling for 20k or less, I would pass it up.

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Originally Posted by Newsboy

You don't say what the mileage is, or whether you have the car histories from previous owners.
The differential problem, and a possible top end rebuild alone could cost you an easy 10K. Along with other problems,paint, etc... it could cost much more. So unless this car is selling for 20k or less, I would pass it up.

Thanks Newsboy for your reply. Sorry about that. I forgot to mention the car has 111k miles on it and the Carfax shows nothing found. Was a UT car and now in Canada. Only odometer recorded on the Carfax was when the car was in UT with 39k miles on it. No other odometer mileages was recorded in the Carfax report.

What else do I need to look out for? Am I opening up a can of worms here?

I'm new to this any other advise are welcome, thanks guys.

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Another thing is if the price is right, I'll have be driving the car back to my town as it's without fixing anything for 12 hrs on the highway. Can the car survive the drive home?

[JSny]

Agree with Paperboy.

Will you be doing the work yourself? Paying a shop to fix everything will be significant. If you are doing the work yourself, you have come to the right place. So many Pelicans willing to help with much experience.

You mentioned nearly every system on the car needing help. Some of vehicles systems need to be solid for it to be worth the risk, unless the price is really low. Rebuilding the upper end can be $10-$15k. Blue smoke from the engine at high rpm could indicate piston ring oil blow-by. A cylinder pressure leak down test is in order. Total engine rebuild is around $20k. Ask them if they checked condition of the head studs. They will need pull the valve covers to check them. Common on these to have one or two studs broken. They should do this as part of PPI.

What is the idle oil pressure when cold and when hot (temp gage is at 8:30 ish)? When driving the oil pressure should increase significantly. My oil pressure is nearly pegged high, with med or high load.

Pulling the check engine bulb indicates a disregard for the vehicle. What are they asking for the car?

[bbturbo]

First off, really hard to predict a price on a car not seen in person. You can shoot in the dark, but you do not see many 964s in running condition sell for under 25k, especially if its a coupe. Rarely do these transmissions have issues, so you probably will not need to do a rebuild, unless it was abused and is currently acting up. It is hard to estimate whether the car can be driven home or not without seeing it. In this current shape, I would pay the money to have it shipped, because in the big picture, it's better than a break down and stranded/paying an uneducated mechanic to work on it. However, if you must drive it, I am sure it will get there with it burning excessive oil. I would worry more about the diff than anything.

The hydraulic system probably has not been flushed in the 2 year recommended time period, so there could be some oxidation in the system, requiring new parts down the line.

Since it was a UT car, I would check everywhere for rust, especially around windshield.

In my opinion, I would try and get the car for as cheap as possible (duh) since there is plenty of issues. I doubt it will need any bottom end work, as most of the time only 964s only need top ends if it is still running and driving. Most of the big parts are probably even still in tolerance, as well, so a reconditioning and reseal/rings would probably suffice, along with other "while you are in there items". I was fairly certain the 964s did not have the same head stud issues as the prior cars. When you tear the engine down, it is a great time for upgrades and putting in better components for longevity. Don't let the work needed scare you off, if you get it for a good price. 964s are great cars, once sorted.

If you are doing most of the work (even if you aren't), I would pick up a copy of the 964 Enthusiast's Companion book by Adrian Streather. It is worth its weight in gold and will teach you plenty about the car. I am currently going through the engine rebuild process with my 964, so if you have any questions, ask away. Many of us on here can get you an answer from experience and save you some money/time.

[mikedsilva]

It says that the check engine light bulb was removed!!!!!!!!!!!!