23Feb2011
996TT engine work
Had a freind drop off his 996TT today for some long overdue engine work. Last year we started throwing cam actuator codes on the 2nd bank, and when replacing an actuator, I found a piece of metal shaving stuck to it. Not good. The light has persisted, so we are going to drop the motor and open it up and see what is going on with the variocam system. We also had some radiators to replace (passenger and center) as …
21Feb2011
Boxster/996 Waterpumps
This problem has been popping up on a very regular basis on the Boxster and 996 engines. So much, that I think I am going to start recommending waterpump replacement at about the 80k mile or 10 year mark as that is about when they seem to be failing. Failure can be leakage from the bearing weep hole, and if that is let go for more than a few days, the bearing and impeller are going to explode. Not a pretty sight. We …
11Feb2011
997 C4S Muffler Modifications
We finally got some semi warm weather (almost hit 40 today!), so I took the opportunity after lunch to run out and pull some mufflers for a buddy that we are going to modify 🙂 The OEM (Non-PSE) mufflers are just too mild, so we are going to have to fix that. Got the unit open after chopping the door pull free from the ice. Up in the air and ready to pull the mufflers. Passenger side can stuck up …
17Jan2011
993TT Clutch Change
Sunday Stephen and I tackled a clutch job that he needed to get done for a mutual freind. His initial plan was to do it on jackstands, and when he asked me to help, I just laughed at him. After the last fiasco of trying to bench press a tranny into a 996, I wasn’t going to fall for that again (you know the saying, “fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice….oh hell, nobody fools me twice”). Instead, …
03Jan2011
Pre Purchase Inspection
I am always preaching to people that you do not purchase a used car without having a qualified shop perform a pre purchase inspection to check for potential issues a new owner might be faced with. I helped out an old freind in Colorado who had found this car for a client. The intended purpose would be a Driver’s Education car. A nice little example of a 964, with about 140k miles on it. Standard engine bay with a K&N …
21Dec2010
Axle Week
When it rains it pours. One of my favorite “clean” jobs are replacing axle joints or boots. There is nothing better than getting absolutely covered in grease, and take everything you touch with you, lol. A freind of mine noticed he had a couple of torn axle boots on the rear of his 993 that needed attention. It is very important to replace these boots if you notice them ripped at all, as they no only help to keep the …
12Dec2010
996 Continued
After looking into a coolant light issue, we found the coolant tank was pretty much empty. The tanks are prone to cracking in the 996’s, usually along the backside or bottom near the level sensor. They aren’t a ton of fun to get out, not difficult, but it takes some manipulation to get it angled just right to come out. When you replace the tank you want to also install an updated radiator cap (black vs. the original blue cap). …
10Dec2010
996 Maintenance
Had a freind bring by his 996 for some winter maintenance. This was actually the Evolution motorsports prototype car for their supercharger kit they developed with VF Engineering. First thing to do was to replace the ignition switch. The 996 and boxster are notorious for having bad ignition switches. It can rear it’s head in many different ways. 1. Key switch that is difficult to turn or seems to hang up 2. Key that rotates way more than it should …
10Dec2010
Project 997TT Steering Wheel Completion
When we installed the 2010 GT3RS steering wheel in the project 997TT, we couldn’t get the horn working. I couldn’t even activate the horn via durametrics to test the horn, so we knew something was off. After a ton of research, we finally figured out that the electronic control module for the steering column also needed to be changed due to installing a later steering wheel in an earlier 997. Nobody had the answer, so it took awhile to figure …
08Dec2010
More trim work and finished shifters
Been doing some painting over the last couple of days on the front grills on the M. I sanded everything down and recoated with 2 coats of black trim primer and then finished it with 2 coats of black chip guard. The slightly textured look helped to hide any imperfections in the original chrome grill, as well as gives a more resiliant barrier to chipping. I also removed the center hood grill as it was starting to look gray. Out …