Page 56 - KCRPCA Sept Oct 2018

MEMBER ADVENTURE
56
Sep / Oct 2018
EDWARD VAN MOURIK
Mission E. What makes the choice per- sonal, as to what car fills your garage, is probably what you can afford.
My 1985 Porsche 928 was a fluke, to say the least. I was looking for a nice 944 with a manual back in 2012, when fate intervened. On a sunny Saturday afternoon, I drove by a small car lot in Shawnee. Sitting in the corner was a black 928. It called to me. I took it home that day. Six years later, I’ve learned what to do to make a relationship with these Porsches work.
recommended to be replaced every 4 years or 30 to 40 thousand miles. I did not know when the last time mine was changed, so it was first on my to-do list.
The second issue, while your timing belt is removed, is to replace the water pump and rebuild the tensioner. I recommend Laso water pumps with a plastic impeller. I used the Porkens tensioner, as it replaces the stock one. It uses a modified Audi tensioner to keep things in line. It is a definite improvement.
Depending on the mileage or maintenance records, you might need to go further by replacing seals or even replacing the oil pump. The list of “while you are in there” can get long. When buttoning things back up, don’t forget to check your timing. The timing gears have a coating on them that looks like silver paint. You can find many web pages as to the step by step process. Maybe someone should start a website called “How to date a 928.”
The third issue is the Bosch fuel injection computer “LH” located on the passenger foot well. If it has not failed yet, it will. Change it. I found a guy in Arizona to completely replace the old electronic components. So, check that off the list.
A few things to keep the relationship improving are new oil and spark plugs.
A Rewarding Relationship
9T28 OWNERSHIP
he unapologetic Porsche invention The 928 community is pretty tight for the high-speed pursuit of per- and there are several known issues that sonal transportation evokes many I knew I needed to address. The first
models starting with the 901 to the new problem was the long timing belt. It is
Six years later, I’ve learned what
to do to make a relationship
with these Porsches work.
Photos by Edward Van Mourik, Kyle Yoder and Jim Rand
I’ll start by saying these cars are very unloved. The cost to maintain these cars can eat the same amount of money as a maintained 911. That being said, most owners did not keep their car maintenance schedules up to date. It was time to invest in this relationship.
I’ve been working on cars since high school, so I knew I could deal with the quirks of this 80’s superstar movie car. You may remember its graceful shape from Risky Business and Weird Science. My Porsche may be a child of the ‘80s, but it was time to bring its maintenance up to date.