924Board.org

[Greenie]

Here's my Story:

Acquired an '87 924s from relatives. This is one of those true "one little old lady owned cars. It has 38,000 miles only, but has been shut up in the garage for the last 3-4 years.
In great shape, but has a very rough idle. Runs great out in the open on the drive home (I think she missed being driven!!!)
. So far I have:
1. Filled up with Premium adding IsoHeat to pull moisture out from sitting and added fuel injector cleaner (Techron).
2. Checked plugs, they look clean/good
3. Air filter looks clean (after I cleaned out a little mouse nest in there)
I plan to take to german mechanic here and have him give it the once-over, but wondered if there was anything the experts here could help me out with. I have heard alot about engine mounts causing poor idles.

What would you all suggest for a car with that few miles, but has been sitting for so long inside??

The paint is oxidizing as well, anybody have any luck buffing out these era paint jobs. I'd love to make this thing look cherry again.

Thanks in advance for all your help........Greenie

[gohim]

Stop driving the car immediately.

You need to take the car to an EXPERIENCED 944/924S Porsche Mechanic and have the "front of engine" service (timing and balance shaft belts, water pump, front of engine oil seals, rollers, and pulleys replaced) to avoid severe engine damage due to belt failure.

This critical service must be performed every 30K miles or three years (which ever comes first). The cost will probably be between $1500-$2500. Some people say that the service is not critical, and does not need to be done that often. But there have been numerous documented belt failures before 40K miles, and this suggests this 30K miles is the best time to have the service done.

Rough idle that smoothes out as engine speed is advanced off of idle is a classic sign of bad engine mounts.

Detailing the paint (by heavy buffing) can often restore the finish shine, but should not be done all the time, as a large amount of paint is remove each time, and can result in the paint finish coat being removed to the point that the primer coat is exposed (paint finish ruined).

[jts924s]

Ok this is off topic but why can't Porsche distribute a timing belt with a longer service life. I just replaced a belt on my Subaru at 5 years and 60K because I was in there anyway to replace the oil pump seal. The actual service interval on the timing belt is 105K and I believe it; that belt looks good-as-new. Maybe back in the mid-eighties 30K was a reasonable service life, but I think belts are made a lot better now.

I know someone is going to say that a $20 belt (and $500+ in labor) is better that a engine rebuild, but I bet all of you would pay a little extra for a belt that had a 60K or 100K service life.
_________________
'87 924S, now in better hands. Have a look.

[Sleykin]

As Gohim said ... get your belts done now!
As to the paint ... I had very good luck with Zymol. It is not a wonderful wax but it is a wonderful cleaner without the need to do serious buffing. After you have it lookin good with the Zymol put a good carnauba wax on it. For the black trim stuff use Back to black. Makes the spolier and bumper pads look new.
What is your idle RPM? Should be around 900 - 950. If it is below that you need to make some adjustments to re-center the idle stabilizer circuit.
I would get the belts done first and if it still idles rough look into that then.
_________________
Glenn Neff
Medford, OR
87' 924S

[Greenie]

Taking it in to German Autowerks in North Seattle Friday (Tomorrow). He suggested doing the belts, all fluids, and tune-up. He essentially said he wanted to treat it as 90k type service since it is 17 years old. The quoted price seemed reasonable.
$650 for 90k service (All fluids and Tune up)
$350 for Belts/Rollers

FYI....the idle is only around 850, so likely a little low. Although after the engine steam clean from detailing below, I have to admit it seems a little smoother at idle. Maybe my imagination, maybe it cleaned a little gunk off from all that sitting around for years in the garage. Don't know....

Any comments?????

As to paint, I had it fully detailed and I must say it came out better than I would have thought. The oxidation came out nicely and they restored all the black/trim. Looking great.

[gohim]

Are you sure that you got those prices right?

Seems like a lot of money to change engine oil, and the spark plugs.

$650 to change fluids? What fluid are they going to replace? Engine oil and filter, coolant, power steering fluid, transmission oil? The car has electronic fuel ignition and injection. The only thing you can do is replace the plugs. Timing is not adjustable, so what is in a Tune up?

$350 to do the belts and rollers? The "front of engine" service is flat rated at 8 hours. The cost of the timing belt, and the balance shaft belt will be between $50 and $150 (depending on where you buy them). If you go aftermarket, a belt and roller kit will cost you $150-$200 (from a Porsche Dealer $250-$300). That does not include the front of engine oil seals (aftermarket kit $65-$95), and the water pump (new, between $150 aftermarket, and $200-$300 from one of the Porsche Dealers that discounts).

[Lizard]

as Gohim said DONT EVEN TURN THE ENGINE OVER, take the key and basically forget you have it until that timing belt/waterpump has been done!

as far as the timing belt/waterpump and tune up you will be looking after all is said and done $2000 + USD, also keep in mind that you need to make sure the shop has the FACTORY timing belt tensioning tool for the belt!
_________________
3 928s,