Screwed?

mickey356 · 06-25-2009, 12:52 PM

I just picked up a 83 SC today right at the place that did the PPI. Long story short on the way home the tach starts jumping all over and the sun roof won't open (motor's working but it doesn't move. I get it home and now it won't turn over. Alternator? Anyway, what are my options? I called the guy to tell him but I was sooo pissed I told him I didn't want to get into it and I'll call later when I calmed down. BTW when I drove the car on Sunday everything worked perfectly.

mickey356 · 06-25-2009, 06:47 PM

Man, 48 looks and no one says a thing? I didn't mean to scare you all away. To get everyone up to speed - After calming down, jumping the car and driving it over to my buddies repair shop the tach worked normally. I actually went back to check if it would start an hour later and the car seems to running fine, though I haven't checked to sunroof again, don't want to push it until I have alternate transport arranged. However, driving it back I noticed simultaniousy the oil light and the brake light would come on occasionally. Not thinking it was necessary earlier to check the oil because it was just in for a PPI at 11am. I checked and it was almost bone dry!!! I put 3 qts in to get me to my buddies shop tomorrow and I do an oil & filter change just to put my mind at ease.
I think the problem may have been the cig lighter. I immediately plugged in my phone charger and it wasn't to snug a fit. So maybe that had something to do with the electricals? The phone got wicked hot so I unplugged it but maybe I upset something? The car starts right up now no problem and the tach works fine. I'm afraid to plug my charger in, again, until I have back up transport.
I'm just a little miffed at the place that did the PPI. The car was fine sunday (and according to the owner when he dropped it off). The shop that did it said it checked out fine (except a few other minors things). Now the scary electrical gremlin and a seemingly broken sunroof belt. What should I do?

infadel_aviator · 06-25-2009, 08:33 PM

my intuition says they didn't do much, if any kind of PPI.. anyone else thinking that?

spuggy · 06-25-2009, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickey356

The phone got wicked hot

That and the bouncing tach likely indicate an issue with voltage regulation. Measure the voltage with the engine running and look for battery acid bubbling out if it's 18V...

If it didn't do it the next day, sounds like it might be an intermittent problem.

bwall · 06-25-2009, 08:58 PM

hmmm.. .. . Mechanics aren't all knowing gods but they shouldn't have missed so many items. One or two; o.k. that can happen. but all that?

did you check the oil when it was warm or cold?

who picked out the PPI mechanic? You or the seller?

domimax · 06-26-2009, 05:33 AM

At the end of the day you bought a 26 year old USED CAR. Am sure you bought it with no warranty implied or expressed.

Sounds like all these issues are pretty minor. Get them fixed and enjoy the ride.

mickey356 · 06-26-2009, 05:34 AM

Thanks. I didn't think I was being unreasonable with my expectations. I guess a rookie mistake was me agreeing to take it to the PO's mechanic. I suggested another place and the PO wasn't against it but he said that he felt comfortable with the place that had done the work.
I spoke with the shop this morning after I put 7 qts of oil in my car!!!!! I said "I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU DIDN'T CHECK THE OIL!!! Auto Repair 101 isn't it?" Anyway, they offered me a partial discount and (not to be an ass) I told them it wasn't about money, it was a principal thing. I told the service writer it would be unfair of me to not allow them to make it right so I suggested he speak with the owner of the shop and have him call me and we'd go from there.
I am just sick about what damage may have occured to my car by driving it with almost no oil. The pressure seemed OK and the engine temp guage never got past 3/4 up so hopefully nothing too bad happened back there.
I'll be going over the entire car later today at my buddies. I have ZERO confidence in the car at this point but hopefully a thorough PERSONAL inspection will set my mind at ease.
Ya know I read it a couple times while doing my research "A PPI is only as good as the shop doing it." Man, ain't it the truth.
Thanks again. I'm sure you'll be hearing alot from me in the future. Got lots of ?'s and can't wait to start learning more and more about the nuances of these cars. I can't stop staring at it!!!!

gsjohnson · 06-26-2009, 07:10 AM

I question the importance of plugging in a cell phone charger immediately in a 26 year old enthusist's type car. What's your priority here?

Gogar · 06-26-2009, 07:42 AM

+1 check the voltage at the battery with the car OFF, IDLING, and at a higher RPM and post your findings.

These cars are pretty picky about battery health, alternator, and voltage regulator stuff.

GregB7S4 · 06-26-2009, 09:57 AM

Hopefully nothing is wrong with the engine. I would do a leak down test just in case. If there is a major problem you may have some recourse with the PPI shop.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsjohnson

I question the importance of plugging in a cell phone charger immediately in a 26 year old enthusist's type car. What's your priority here?

^What a stupid comment^

mike monde · 10:50 AM

A PPI is a most but also I have found that you need to be very specific with most shops about what you want checked. I know with one of my Carrera's it passed a PPI w/o checking the valve guildes because I didnt specify...big mistake and I paid dearly soon after.
Although the issues you mention should have been spotted IMO by most "expert" wrenches.
Doing a PPI with the former owners mechanic does not always make sense for obvious reasons. If the former owner stills uses that wrench unfortunatley he isnt going to seek issues to possible hurt the deal.
All said, heres my advice...crack open a cold one and take a deep breath. Top off the oil, clean it up and sit back and start enjoying the car. Unless you can or want to return it, nothing you can do about it now.
Find a reputable shop and take it in for a leak down, compression test or anything else you may be concerned about (I live outside Philly and can recommend some shops). Be prepared, even with a great PPI there is something in there that will need to be addressed soon or later. (Welcome to the club)
Once sorted...drive it like you stole it and start smiling!

MikeD930 · MikeD930's Garage

Did you check the oil level with the engine running and warmed up fully? This is important! If you didn't then you may have overfilled it!

mike monde · 06-26-2009, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Did you check the oil level with the engine running and warmed up fully? This is important! If you didn't then you may have overfilled it!

Good question. knowing how to properly check the oil in these cars is very important.

mickey356 · 06-26-2009, 11:13 AM

Thanks again all. The cell phone thing was because I HAD to charge my phone. I was using its GPS trying to find the shop and I was expecting a possible call from my wife who was in NYC. I'm am not a "Talk and Drive" guy.

Yes, I was aware of how to check the oil (engine warm, at idle on level ground). After I put 7 qts in it showed on the stick between top and bottom lines. And miraculously the oil level guage started working again. I'm not completely unfamiliar with these cars but I don't want to even hint at the idea that I know what the hell is going on.

Mike, good advice. I just wanted to be sure the car was where it was supposed to be (fluid wise, etc....) I've got it up and running and will search out the electrical problem. I ordered a VR in anticipation of needing one. (just in case) But for now it all systems go and I am enjoying the car.

I have to compression test numbers from 2300 miles ago and they're all good. However, I have no idea how much or hard the car was driven with low oil levels. I guess another one couldn't hurt.

I'm all good with knowing what may come down the road. It's a 26 year old USED car and I know it. It could be anything on any day. I don't fault the PO for any of this. I was pissed at the shop for not doing a thourough job. Why bother taking to a "Professional" if they don't do a professional job? And if the reason is so not to upset the customers chances of selling the car, how about the person buying the car? The PO doesn't have a Porsche anymore so he won't be giving the shop anymore biz. I DO have a Porsche now and I WONT be giving that shop any biz. The shop owner just lost business.

As always thanks for the input.

gsjohnson · 06-26-2009, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregB7S4

Hopefully nothing is wrong with the engine. I would do a leak down test just in case. If there is a major problem you may have some recourse with the PPI shop.

^What a stupid comment^

Okay, we know what kind of enthusist you are, but I'll refrain from the name calling. And you really think that he has any recourse with the PPI shop?

GregB7S4 · 06-26-2009, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsjohnson

Okay, we know what kind of enthusist you are, but I'll refrain from the name calling. And you really think that he has any recourse with the PPI shop?

What is your problem? A new Porsche owner is looking for some help here and the most you can offer is to deride him for plugging his phone charger into the cig lighter? You are obviously the ultimate hardcore Porsche enthusiast....and a tool.

rjrandalls · 06-27-2009, 07:05 AM

Yeah. I had a very worthwhile (sarcastic) PPI on a 1983 SC in the Chicago area that was "clear".

Turned out to have 3 broken head studs, underwent top end rebuild, had non-working front brakes (repairs totally about $5500), and had significant electrical problems (I fixed). They did "discover" the poorly working sunroof and the less than perfect paint touchups. Thank you Captain Obvious!

Luckily I bought the car at a significant "below market" cost ($12000, 97000 miles), so the purchase and repairs, bringing the car to "good" condition, still made it a pretty good deal for a car otherwise still in very good shape.

You really do "get what you pay for".

gsjohnson · 07:18 AM

Greg,
So name calling is the extent of your ability to enter into an intelligent conversation? Look it, current cell phone chargers were not designed to plug into 26 year old cigarette lighters and have been known to create problems. If I'm a true car enthusiast, I'm not plugging in Cell phones, Navi units and assorted other gadgets, especially when I'm trying to learn the oddities and idiosyncrasies of a new enthusiast/collector car that I just purchased. I'm serious about my driving and if you have ever attended any high performance driving instructional type classes, this is rule 1. I want to learn my new car inside and out, and the distraction of other gadgets prevents you from experiencing the nuances of your vehicle at a level it deserves. You might as well have a cup of coffee in your hand while trying to shift. I don't know about you, but I can't enjoy the entire experience with other distractions of life's other so called conveniences. Maybe I'm ole school and the only one here who has this opinion. But, you go ahead and have a great day with your driving experience.

mickey356 · 06-27-2009, 06:25 PM

gsjohnson,
You are entitled to your opinion. And there is no need for me to defend plugging in a cell phone charger as it's obvious that there isn't ANY reason in your mind to ever do such a thing.
I will ask this: where is it written into law that a 1983 911SC is an entusiasts car? For that matter when did I say I was an enthusiast? I've had a number of cars over the years and I've enjoyed them all. I currently road race Spec 125 go karts, and I've been a fan of exotic cars of all makes and models since I was a kid. I've been around enough to know there are "Car guys" and there "Enthusiasts". I prefer Car guys, which based on my definition you are not. So with that said I will go ahead and enjoy my driving experience right after I stop by the coffee shop for a cup to go.

Zeke · 06-28-2009, 07:56 AM

Aw, guys, the damn lighter socket is not the right size for our chargers to start with. So, if anyone knows anything.... make it count.

I got lost after he said he put 3 qts. in, then an oil and filter change, and then 7 qts. more. I think the proper sequence in telling a story is essential.