First time in 20+ years

[peppy]

I broke down and finally took my targa to a mechanic.

I have been having an issue with not starting like it used too (extended crank times and more than one attempt). I had put a new starter on, did a tune up, adjusted valves, new coil, Italian tune up, positive cable end, new battery ground and a new battery.
The car never left me stranded, but I was getting tired of it not starting like it should. I took it yesterday 1.5 hour drive to a very reputable Porsche shop. I got a call today that the car has no power and is the worst shifting 911 he has driven. I thought the car ran strong and shifted fine (I can shift it with one finger). Ignorance is bliss!
I know it needs a ring gear and a clutch while they are in there, but the numbers scare the crap out of me. Starting at 5k and they said it can turn into 10k quick.

I'm thinking of cutting my losses and selling the car before it has a mechanics lien against it!

[pmax]

Originally Posted by peppy

I got a call today that the car has no power ...

Not much of a diagnosis is it ?

[ahh911]

Peppy,

Think financially.

Pay the analysis.

Tow it home.

Multiply the tow by 2.

That's the worst case situation



What's the disassembly status?

[john walker's workshop]

Bail

[icarp]

sounds like the shop is less than helpful
run away

[fanaudical]

Yep - Sounds like you need a different mechanic.

[PeteKz]

Peppy, you're not giving us much info to work with. Need details.

[86 911]

Definitely tow it home and/or get a second opinion. $10k is a ton of cash. For perspective, $10k is covering my complete engine rebuild (complete tear down and not just top end) with some performance upgrades and I still have change left over. Of course I’m doing the rebuild myself, sourcing good used parts where I can, etc, and it is taking a long time, but $10k can go a long way if spent productively on these cars. As others have mentioned, can you give us more details?

Now, a few years back I had a very high end but recommended shop in the Los Angeles area take a look at my car. Quoted me $1k just to drop the engine. I towed my car straight out of there. Then again, I clearly wasn’t their target clientele. Took it to another lesser known but reputable shop and they got me on the road for a couple hundred dollars. There are options my friend.

[peppy]

More details. The car needs a new ring gear because it is missing teeth. Sometimes the engine stops at a point with no teeth and the starter just spins. I take a wrench and turn the engine a few degrees and the starter will engage. I am having to turn the car over for 10 or so seconds to start sometimes and sometimes it will fire right up. Doesn't seem to matter if the engine is hot or cold. Short trips are the worst. It will crank fine drive it a mile or so and cut it off, then it doesn't want to start. I drove the car 1.5 hrs there and it ran great mix of highway and I95 into Richmond.

I think the advice to bail is what I need to do.

After more though on his no power comment I'm thinking he drove a different car. I don't think my butt dyno is that far out of calibration.

[peppy]

Originally Posted by ahh911

Peppy,

Think financially.

Pay the analysis.

Tow it home.

Multiply the tow by 2.

That's the worst case situation



What's the disassembly status?

He had only test driven the car when he called me, so I don't think he has taken anything apart.

[ant7]

Run Away!!!
Seriously, take the advice, get your car back, and take a bit of time to decide what to do, in the meantime, see if any of the guys on here are near to you, and let them give you an honest opinion.
Ant.

[86 911]

Sounds like you may have a CIS issue too. Can you get access to a pressure test kit to confirm you’re getting the proper fuel pressures? After knowing those values, I’d drop the engine and replace that ring gear/clutch plus possible CIS components if needed while you’re in there. A leak down test would be easy while you’ve got stuff out. Just in the event you want to do some diagnostics at home.

[nickelplated5s]

It all comes down to if you want to keep the car. Most of us, myself included, have more money into the things than they are worth. Things break hence maintenance.

[Mark Salvetti]

Originally Posted by 86 911

Sounds like you may have a CIS issue too.

I’m assuming it is the 1988 in his signature, so no CIS.

Start following this thread. Might see soemthing there that will help: http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/1164578-dead-carrera-3-2-a.html

Mark

[pmax]

Upselling is par for the course. I can tell you about .... never mind.

However, about the $5K quote, I assume it includes clutch and ring gear replacement ... keep in mind these are retail prices and the good folks at the shops do have families to feed.




Time to drop the engine ?

[proporsche]

just take it home asap..an absolute fishy diagnostics just from driving--
Ivan

[EC900]

I agree with others, not enough info being given to get a forum diagnosis. You say you drove it in and they say it’s a no start/get started and now it shifts terrible for them. Hmmmm.

But definitely get another garage opinion, pay the service fee and flatbed if you have to just out of that ‘reputable shop” that seems to want to rebuild-as-they-go. Could be they don’t want any warranty issues so they’ll replace everything they deem questionable.
They may be reputable and qualified but maybe they’re are used to no-quibble big spenders. Garage bays look like a spa? Lots of clean classic cars inside?
If you paid up and they gave your a detailed inspection report, shop around for estimates and options.
Shopping will add up in estimate and inspection fees too….like a PPI that could be at 1hr of shop rate.

[PeteKz]

Peppy, based on all the other comments here, you have your answer.

I advise you NOT to keep driving it until you get the ring gear replaced. If it's missing teeth, the starter pinion accelerates in the gap between the teeth and then bangs into the next tooth, eventually breaking it, as well as the teeth on the pinion. Therefore, I advise you to replace the starter pinion too, even though you just put in a new starter.

[nickelplated5s]

Originally Posted by EC900

I
They may be reputable and qualified but maybe they’re are used to no-quibble big spenders. Garage bays look like a spa? Lots of clean classic cars inside?

Been there, done that. I don't give negative reviews but, with permission, will give good ones.

I sort of half to laugh. 20 years and that's it? I've got 41 +/- and all I'm missing is a new front harness. Granted, a lot of things have come and gone but by choice. Bite the bullet and keep it or dump it per JW.

[peppy]

I hope to hear back from the shop on Monday, and am hoping there is better news(like some idea why its hard to start sometimes).
Thanks for all the replies and suggestions.