Questions after looking at 964's

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

I am looking at some 964 C4's for my wife to drive in the winter. The 1995 993 C4 is a bit out of the price range we are willing to spend. The vehicle in question is a convertable. I have looked at a couple (the first one was not even worth turning on) and have a question:

The fan on the drivers side of the motor, is this fan supposed to make alot of noise? I'm of the impression that this fan should be as quiet as the one in my '83.

In the vehicle I looked at most recently I heard a slight tapping in the low range on cylinder bank 123. The owner does not know the last time the valves were adjusted, he has had it for 4 years, 40K miles (car has less than 80K). Is this the fuel injection or am I suspecting something more sinister?

The driver tended to shift prior to 3K, well prior to when the Wife and I tend to shift on ours. I could hardly hear the motor reving to a good note.

The motor was louder than our '83. We have removed the soundproofing in back, but this one was even louder. Stock muffler.

The vehicle appears to be using between 1 and 1.5 quarts of oil in 3K miles (this scared me as I don't see dripping).

The car is a semi-daily driver.

[AFJuvat]

The fan can be a little noisier - more of a whooshing air sound rather than mechanical noise.

964s are a bit louder - IMO they sound better than a stock 911

1 - 1.5 quarts in 3K miles is perfectly acceptable. Standard is 1.5 liters in 1000km (1.5 quarts in 600 miles)

Definitely get a PPI -

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

PPI is a given before I pull anything. But, I've got a couple of cars lined up to look at so it's still time for questions.

Fan, heater fan, was definately mechanical. It also badly needs new shocks in back. The front sits at the proper position but the back end is lower.

I was a bit worried with the dirt on the bottom of the motor. Mine started this right before I noticed the head studs were breaking. Of course, mine is the 3.0.

One other note I forgot, the fiberglass/plastic panels on the back bottom of the car are pulling/shrinking and seem ready to fall off. Cosmetically, I don't care that much, but is this a warning sign of something else?

I crawled around and did not see any rust. The maintenance records for the last several years are available as is the mechanic. I'm just a bit worried about the unidentified noise from the motor.

Ah well, looking at another one tomorrow or thursday. Several grand cheaper and its not a Cabriolet, two pluses to me... The car also appeared cleaner in the photos, but who knows what that really means.

Thank you!

[911Urge]

There should have been a valve adjustment at around 60k miles and 60k is usually the expensive service interval most 964 owners dont soon forget. This may be the metallic tapping you hear. Mine has a similar tapping and Im due for a valve adjustment in the next 5k miles.

My rear blower sound is noticeable, not mechanical but more whooshing blowing with a high speed electrical motor sound. Make sure the heater blower resistor connected in the blower tube has been replaced. There was a recall on that part ($20) that could lead to engine fires.

My 964 is louder than most with a sport exhaust. Sounds nice to me but at cruising speeds on the freeway and the windows up its not loud.

Overall it sounds as though the car has not been "well" maintained. What year is it and whats the price range?

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

it is a '90 C4 and the price is a bit high for this model. I'm looking at the limited options on the marketplace and this one came up... I know the seller is motivated but I'm a little concerned about her. I'm looking at a '91 C4 soon.

Thanks, I appreciate all information!!

[drisin80]

the rear blower sound is really pretty quiet before the bearings start to go. this is a very common problem on these cars. at first it will become more noisy, and progress untill it sounds like a rabid squirrel has been caught in the engine (ask me how i know). there is a good diy in the tech articles, and for about 250 bucks, and an relatively simple 1.5- hours worth of work the blower motor can be replaced.--- tom