[jeff968]

So, I'm considering a looonnnggg driving trip next year, to Georgia for the 2011 Porsche parade. My car is running fine but I don't want to have an issue on the way down or back. My car has 45K miles on it. Full timing belt job was just done. I'm not going to do the pinion bearing or the cam tensioners as preventive maintenance but what would you do? Every hose? Every belt? What has "gone" on you that you would make sure is working well before you went on a trip. What would you replace as preventive maintenance? Kind/Nice responses please [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img] Thanks

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[banditsc]

You should be good to go except for the HCV if you haven't changed it yet. If you have any issues down here, I'd be glad to help.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

definitely coolant hoses, heater control valve, and accessory belts if more than 5 years old

brake hoses and clutch hoses (master and slave are also a good idea) if more than 5 years old - highly recommend stainless ones

definitely a hydraulic system flush if more than 2 years old

battery replacement if more than 3 years old

carefully inspect the starter cables at the starter - be aware that you cannot see them to determine if you have the common shrinkage problem without pulling back the large jacket on them

clean the grounds and battery contacts

oil change

pack an extra DME relay

that's about it

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[banditsc]

I guess I'm more adventurous... [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif[/img]

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

lol - i'm just keeping in mind that it is a VERY old car, and probably has way too many original components - on top of that, a breakdown can spoil a vacation in a hurry - that's why i trailer the car for those kinds of hauls

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[chudson]

Hey flash - I'm still driving around on ALL my OE hoses and we (import repair guys) just never see hose failures the way the domestics once did. I wasn't even planning to swap them before Hershey trip next year. I know replacement is always safer than not, but what has been the coolant hose track record for the Porsche brand? Lots of failures or few?

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[jeff968]

"Hey flash - I'm still driving around on ALL my OE hoses and we (import repair guys) just never see hose failures the way the domestics once did. I wasn't even planning to swap them before Hershey trip next year. I know replacement is always safer than not, but what has been the coolant hose track record for the Porsche brand? Lots of failures or few?
"

Well, I've own 968s for 14 years and have never had a failure. That said, they have gotten 1 year older every year and i don't want to lose one on the trip.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

hose are warrantied for 5 years max - that should say something

i have seen plenty of 968 coolant hoses fail - one of them blew up on the dyno - what a mess

personally i have had a heater control valve, and an attached hose fail (2 separate incidents) - this on a car that was always garaged and warm and dry

hoses are cheap and easy to change - is it really worth the risk?

as for the hydraulics, there are countless clutch hose failures on this board alone - brake hoses are no better, fail from the inside, and cannot be seen as to condition from the outside - these are also cheap and easy to change, and if you install teflon lined stainless, will never need changing again

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[968Syncro]

Jeff, not a comprehensive suggestion, but here are the things that I've experienced.

Had 2 tows for breakdowns since I've owned the car:
- Fuel pump (had the car a few days, no idea what the problem was, towed to dealer for diagnosis/repair)
- HCV (towed home and replaced it).

Other failures that caused limping home (no tow): little blue radiator drain plug failed, steering rack/hose, lower radiator hose, bad battery. I should add that the lower radiator hose failed by softening and losing shape. The result was it came in contact with the power steering pump belt and the belt wore a hole into the hose. Maybe it got some oil or fluid on it that caused it to soften and sag.

I know it may sound extreme to have this many failures in about 4.5 years, but I use this car all the time, it is my daily driver, let my wife/kids take it, and certainly wasn't one of the low mileage pristine examples when I bought it. It certainly can't represent the typical 968.

I might suggest getting the AAA plan with the 200 miles free towing, the premium plan, just a few $ extra, can be a great stress reliever.

Roland

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[chudson]

Settles it for me - a hoseing I will go! I've just been spoiled by the Toyota product. Nothing but T trucks in my small fleet for decades and NEVER a failed hose. One is a 93 I purchased new and now has 325,000 miles (and still used daily) but Flash and Jeff are correct - this truck never leaves town and I don't plan to drive it to Hershey either!!!

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[jeff968]

Thanks for all the suggestions!!! [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[biotechee]

Stop at my house along the way, leave Minty with me, and take my Jetta. That way, you won't add all those horrible miles to that lovely car! Heck, you can keep my Jetta and I'll keep Minty.

That's how nice of a guy I am!

[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[968Z]

+1 on the blue plasic radiator drain plug. $3.00 part, but can lead to disasterous results. (Mine failed recently).

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[94SilverCab]

Fuel Filter
Clutch Inspection Port
Caster Blocks

Stop at RS Barn on the way out and let them give it a quick check. Max/Pete will find more in 10 minutes than this forum can suggest in 2 pages.

Jay

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

lol - that's one way to avoid a breakdown - a simple 2 step process

step 1. stop by the barn and have them look at it and find all sorts of stuff to deal with

step 2. call rental agency and get a car and be on your way, leaving the 968 behind

the good news is that the car will be set right

the bad news is that you will be showing polaroids of your car at the event

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[rhudeboye]

My lower radiator hose developed a huge bubble over time, I noticed it while changing oil. I then ordered a hose from Pelican and installed it over a weekend. FFWD a year. I take my car to Pete and he tells me that the power steering pump belt has almost cut completely through the hose. "you gotta trim them down" said Pete, " they come with a lot of excess".

So I've been through 2 hoses in the 5 year Ive owned the car. I would strongly recommend the SS clutch line.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[sbdrivingdotcom]

What is a polaroid? lol

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

it's something you get from too much seat time on polar route flights

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[rhudeboye]

No, it's what Eskimos get when they sit on the ice too long.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[968gene]

I've just been spoiled by the Toyota product. Nothing but T trucks in my small fleet for decades and NEVER a failed hose. One is a 93 I purchased new and now has 325,000 miles (and still used daily)

Hey Cliff, Trailer the 968 behind the bullet proof Toyota truck!

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.