924Board.org

[Haven]

Hi everyone,

First post, new to the forum. It's a wealth of information and I'm glad it's here.

I'm a sucker for 80's imports, though I've never really had the means in the past to start a collection. I've especially always wanted a Porsche, particularly a 924. I know they're not the fastest or most sought after, but something about them has kept me intrigued since seeing them in my teens in the 80's. ....Nostalgia I guess.

Anyway, I love the lines and look of the 924 and now that I'm a little older, I decided it was time to get one.

I recently purchased a 1987 924S Auto (I know .. i know ) but this deal was too hard to pass up and it didn't cost me much ( I basically sold a $100 domain name for enough money to buy it.. ) ... and I may eventually convert it to manual if I don't wind up giving it to my wife and buying another when the fever really sets in.

Still, I love the car and I'm happy with it's condition.







However, being the noob I am, once the car was delivered, I drove it around for a couple of days, (about 100 miles). I then started to really research this forum and found out that that was a big no no.

Still, the car ran fine those two days . It started right up, no weird engines noises, not much vibration, shifted excellent, and accelerated great. The PO drove the car about 8k miles over the last year in it's current condition. Nevertheless, the car is parked now and will be towed to a local Porsche specialist in the near future for a full FOES. Thanks for saving my arse on that one 924Board!

I did get a lot of records with the car, (new motor mounts, new radiator, new exhaust, new tires, new hood/hatch struts, new distributor/rotor/wires)..but not everything I wish I had. According to my records the last time the timing/balance belts were replaced were around 69k miles. The car now has 104k miles. BUT the car sat in storage for years after that belt replacement..So, It looks as if it's high time to have it done again.

From what I've read in the other posts, it's going to cost around $1500 to have this done? Is there anything else that you would address with the same urgency as the FOES?

I plan on pecking away at replacing parts on the car over the next few years, a lot of it myself, so I'm glad this forum is around so that I can refer back to it.

Thanks again for saving me with the FOES and I look forward to learning more about this car and about the other 924 owners out there.

Scott
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1987 Porsche 924S Auto

[RedChar]

Welcome to the noob club! Just picked my '87 5spd (sorry, had to mention that, no shame in an auto with that deal!) a few weeks ago and starting to plug away at it now as well.
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'87 924s - Haven't come up with a good nickname
'07 - MINI Cooper, base
'85 - Mercedes 300td LeMons veggie oil car - The Frau

[Haven]

Thanks for the welcome RedChar!
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1987 Porsche 924S Auto

[bcblase]

Haven and RedChar -

Since the 924S has the 944 engine (2.5L) - your best resource for working on these cars is Clark's Garage:

www.clarks-garage.com

This website has almost every important service description or detailed troubleshooting procedure for the most common repair and maintenance tasks for these cars.

Most 924S owners have downloaded every procedure in PDF and have them on their computer or printed out in a big binder.

Welcome to the club!

Brad
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1987 Porsche 924S - track toy
1986 Mercedes 190E 2.3-16v - autocross
2007 F-150 5.4L Lariat Supercrew - tow beast
1994 Volvo 850 Race Wagon - 24 Hours of Lemons Car
2001 BMW 325xi - daily driver

[RedChar]

Yes, Clark's Garage is amazing, I replaced the left hand motor mount using his directions yesterday, made the job that much simpler.
_________________
'87 924s - Haven't come up with a good nickname
'07 - MINI Cooper, base
'85 - Mercedes 300td LeMons veggie oil car - The Frau

[Haven]

Thanks for the tip. Started printing out my own binder this eve.

Been calling around to local specialist shops in Knoxville, TN to see who sounds the most competent and reasonable for the FOES. Got a couple of "huh?" answers.. Found one that knew exactly what I was talking about. Quoted $850 to do the belts, more if water pump, etc.

I'd like to have the tool and do this myself the next go'round.
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1987 Porsche 924S Auto

[bcblase]

The belts are not too hard to replace, but you need to take your time,
follow the procedures, and USE THE CORRECT TOOLS...

944 engine tool kit - $130
http://www.arnnworx.com/catalog/


'nuff said.
_________________
1987 Porsche 924S - track toy
1986 Mercedes 190E 2.3-16v - autocross
2007 F-150 5.4L Lariat Supercrew - tow beast
1994 Volvo 850 Race Wagon - 24 Hours of Lemons Car
2001 BMW 325xi - daily driver

[Haven]

Another couple of questions:

Since I'm just going to let a shop do the FOES this time around, does anyone know of any shops in the Knoxville, TN area that they can recommend? I feel good about 1 shop I talked to, but any suggestions would be great.

Also, I am going to have to let the car sit for approximately 1 month before I have the 2k that I am going to set aside for what's needed and anything else that may pop up when it goes to the shop.

Since I'm not starting the car, what's the best thing to do for it while it sits? This thing started right up every time before I parked it a week ago, and I've read I shouldn't let the battery die to avoid damaging the DME relay etc? Any suggestions about that or about parking it for extended periods of time?

Thanks for all the help so far.
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1987 Porsche 924S Auto

[bcblase]

Mine sits in the garage most of the winter since it's a dedicated track car now... but I still put a cover on it.

Unhook the neg terminal of the battery and turn the wheels every few weeks to keep the tires from flat spotting, but one month is not that long to really worry about it.

Is it going to be stored inside or outside?
_________________
1987 Porsche 924S - track toy
1986 Mercedes 190E 2.3-16v - autocross
2007 F-150 5.4L Lariat Supercrew - tow beast
1994 Volvo 850 Race Wagon - 24 Hours of Lemons Car
2001 BMW 325xi - daily driver

[Haven]

It's in a detached garage. No climate control, but safe from the elements.

Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it.
_________________
1987 Porsche 924S Auto

[bcblase]

I kept mine outside last winter on the driveway with a cover on it, and it was fine.

Other than the 3 feet of snow that accumulated on it and compressed the springs a bit, it was fine.






When I stored it on the grass, the mice would try to find a way in.
_________________
1987 Porsche 924S - track toy
1986 Mercedes 190E 2.3-16v - autocross
2007 F-150 5.4L Lariat Supercrew - tow beast
1994 Volvo 850 Race Wagon - 24 Hours of Lemons Car
2001 BMW 325xi - daily driver

[Haven]

Well, finally saved up the green and towed the car to the shop early this morning for the FOES. I also noticed while messing around under the hood that I have a power steering leak, so I am having them address that too. Hoping it's not the rack and can be fixed with a new hose or clamp.

Otherwise, just sitting waiting for the phone to ring and hoping that It all goes well.
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1987 Porsche 924S Auto

[RedChar]

Good luck! Don't drink too much coffee waiting for the phone call, you don't want to get too anxious!*



*I have done this...
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'87 924s - Haven't come up with a good nickname
'07 - MINI Cooper, base
'85 - Mercedes 300td LeMons veggie oil car - The Frau

[Rasta Monsta]

Leaking PS fluid = control arm and sway bar bushing destruction. . .please inspect.
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Toofah King Bad

• WeiBe (1987 924S 2.5t) - 931 S3

[John_AZ]