924Board.org

[nguyenaq]

I heard that Porsche built these cars to last, but with age, old parts will wear and tear and breakdown. what are the main breakdowns or problems you 924 owners experience and how difficult it is to obtain parts to replace them?and the expense? I will be doing a preventive maintenance for my car soon and I realize that this alone will not keep my car sound. What parts should I consider replacing with new ones?
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1988 924S

[gohim]

Just keep the "front of Engine Service" up to date, regular oil changes with a "Porsche" branded or other German made oil filter, good quality motor oil, and and the correct anti-freeze in the cooling system (no phosphate, no silicone compound, I like the VW brand stuff myself).

The front wheel bearings are inexpensive 911 parts, but they are small in size. You need to use a good quality grease (I use Valvoline Synthetic, and make sure that they are not too loose (which will destroy the tiny outer bearings very quickly. On the 924S, the rear wheel bearings are sealed, no regular service is necessary or recommended. I have read that you can carefully peel/remove the seals and replace the grease in VW magazine articles that show how to replace the wheel bearings on VWs, but the grease is not normally replaced during the service live of the bearings, like it can be with conventional wheel bearings.

Like on any other car, watch for any new leaks and repair immediately.

Enjoy the car.

[Joes924Racer]

na belt tensioners ive went thru a few. I keep getting used ones
for like a buck. Napa carries them though for like 43.00.
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1979 porsche 924 Na
1980 porsche Turbo 931GT Replica
Have u ever driven a turbo.

[Smoothie]

You want us to tell you what's going to break before it breaks? No problem doing that, but what fun would it be? Most of the fun is in wondering what's going to go next - and tempting fate with each new turn of the key.

But seriously, Gohim's covered the main issue. A timing belt failure or failure of anything it's attached to would make for a bunch of fun you don't want to have. -And if he weren't having a senior moment, he'd have remembered to tell you to carry a spare of every relay and a bunch of fuses.
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"..it's made in Germany. You know the Germans always make good stuff."


'82 924T, US version, dark green metallic, 5 speed Audi 016G gearbox

[Roger]

Gohim is correct about the belts. I cant remember from your previous posts but I think you are due. If the belt goes then it will bend a few valves and the repair will be 2k-3k.

These cars are usually behind on their schedualed maintiance. Spend some time getting it up to date.

Some other items

DME Relay
TPS
Battery Tray
Rear Hatch Seal
Electrical Wiring
Ballance Shaft Belts
Odometer
Water Pump
Thermostat
Radiator Fans
A/C
Motor Mounts
Rubber Centered Clutch Plate
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1981 924 NA

Some people are like Slinkies. Not really good for anything, but you
still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

[gohim]

Hey Smoothie I'm only 47, not quite a "senior" yet.

Yeah, I forgot to mention that I carry a replacement for practically every relay in the car, in the cargo compartment of the 924, and the 914. I have started to accumulate a spare set of relays for the 924S, and two weeks ago, I bought a complete fuse panel with relays for the spare relays to carry in the VW Jetta that I bought last month.

Funny thing is, since I got prepared, I haven't had a single relay failure while on the road.

[D Hook]

If you haven't bought a Haynes yet, you may want to consider that. I know for the earlier 924's, Haynes has a chapter in the front of the book that tells you the recommended service intervals. I suppose you'd have to pick up a book for the 944 instead, since your car shares drive train parts with the 944 instead of the earlier cars. But it's all in there. It's a good guide, I would think. Gohim pretty much covered the major topics though in his earlier post. Good luck! You'll enjoy the car more if you keep it up.

[1982Porsche924]

[leadfoot]

Electrical or Cooling...haven't had any fuel related issue yet (fingers crossed)
Electrical suggestions...
Heavy duty wet cell battery. First dry cell died after three weeks.
Clean definalety but may as well replace all ground connections, and if you have the patience and time start rewiring the whole car, with a thicker guage wire.
Most common problem was bad grounds and it seemed like every time i got in my car on of my gauges would be jumping around intermittantly, and as soon as this starts happening the other gauges get really jealous and start their own party, soon every ones drunk but you....
Make sure connection to alternator and starter are well insulated as there is alot of heat from the exhaust manifold and i had the worst episode with my alternator being reco'd as well as my starter due to shorting out form heat errosion...actually i lie the starter was twice, the second time because the first idiot didn't do it properly the first time.
The alternator return charge wire should have a heavy duty gauge and spade connector on its own connection terminal. This should have a locking mechanism so the terminal cannot separate, this has caused my battery voltage drop to the point where my cars lights decided to go off whilst driving home...and the only person that flashed me was another 911 driver.
Door lights working intermittantly, the contacts on the oxidise as the are aluminium like many of the other parts on the car, and this is fixed by using sand paper on them.
Stupid electric antenna motor...
The horn ground connection on the steering column, under the dash...
The rear wiper motor contacts...
Power windows...
Electric mirrors...
In fact i should probably stop now.... but guaranteed you'll know the car inside out when your done rewiring the car.
Leadfoot

[gwsg]

924's, ya gotta love 'em!
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My 80 924 loves me.