07-23-2017, 09:51 AM
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Greenville, S.C.
Posts: 2,670
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Zen and the Art of 986 Maintenance
Are you the type to fix your 986 yourself when it needs something done or is it something for the Indy or dealer to deal with?
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07-23-2017, 10:24 AM
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 2,498
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at 133K miles, My car has never been to a professional mechanic for repair or maintenance outside of wheel alignment. Not saying I won't do it at some point but with all the great resources online, I've been able to tackle all the typical repairs.
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07-23-2017, 10:40 AM
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#3
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Custom User Title Here
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Ft. Leonard Wood
Posts: 6,164
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In my world, letting another man service your car is akin to letting another man service your wife. 
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07-23-2017, 11:04 AM
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#4
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I am No. 1348
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Tampa/FL
Posts: 340
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Not having a lift and some of the special tools kind of prohibits me from doing major work. I had my Indy do the major engine work for the RMS, IMS, and AOS. Also, too much at stake to screw it up not having don this before.
With that said, I've done all the other maintenance on the vehicle; brakes, rotors, fluids, filters, electrical, lights, etc. All my previous cars have been taken to the dealer and worked on under warranty. I enjoy getting my hands dirty again with the Box.
__________________
Current: 2004 Boxster S 550 Spyder Anniversary Edition (BSSE)
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07-23-2017, 11:05 AM
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#5
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still plays with cars...
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Baden, ON, Canada
Posts: 1,088
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Charles, how can I possibly post seriously after that analogy?!
__________________
Six speed 2000 Boxster S
Arctic Silver on Metropol Blue | LN Dual Row IMSR | Arctic Silver console, spoiler frame & bumperettes | Crios mod | Technobrace | RoboTop module & modified convertible top relay for one-touch roof operation
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07-23-2017, 11:20 AM
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#6
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Custom User Title Here
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Ft. Leonard Wood
Posts: 6,164
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BoxsterSteve
Charles, how can I possibly post seriously after that analogy?!
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All in jest! Time, tools and expensive equipment can seriously limit the amount of work some can do.
Personally, I've only visited a mechanic once for the RMS on my old Neon years ago. I could have done it, but is was my daily driver beater car and I was working overtime, so needed it done quickly and I simply didn't have the time.
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07-23-2017, 11:22 AM
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#7
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WALDMEISTER
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Germany
Posts: 1,370
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Quote:
Originally Posted by particlewave
In my world, letting another man service your car is akin to letting another man service your wife. |
oh...we have a slightly different saying here....letting another man DRIVE your car is akin ... you know the rest.
Some goes for pens
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Original Owner | PORSCHE Boxster 2.7L (MY01) | Seal Gray
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07-23-2017, 02:59 PM
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Northville, MI
Posts: 249
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Quote:
Originally Posted by particlewave
In my world, letting another man service your car is akin to letting another man service your wife. |
I love that and agree 100000% as long as you're not a in a swinger club or something, lol
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07-23-2017, 04:21 PM
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Denver
Posts: 866
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It depends on skills, time, and tools available.
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5280 Cruising @High Altitude
Seal Gray & K&N Filter
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07-23-2017, 04:28 PM
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: St. Charles, IL
Posts: 39
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Have not had to do much at all on either of the 986s i've owned but I try to do as much as I can myself.
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Guards Red Boxster S, born in Germany May 2004. LN spin on filter, litronics, roll bar mesh, wind deflector. Pioneer AVH-4200 hu, rear shelf box with speakers installed. 36k miles.
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07-23-2017, 06:57 PM
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#11
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Multi-Boxer Driver
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Orange Park, FL
Posts: 1,422
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Aside from bodywork  , I've done everything myself.
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-Chris
2004 Porsche Boxster 2.7 (gone  )
2004 Porsche 911 C4S Cab
1991 Porsche 911 C2 Targa 3.6
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R
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07-23-2017, 11:48 PM
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 419
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Aside from having Flat-6 completely rebuild my engine and install an IMS Solution, I do all my own work. Except mounting/balancing tires and alignments...
I love the wife analogy! LOL
__________________
2001 Boxster S - Speed Yellow, Black Leather, Tiptronic, Jake Raby rebuilt 3.2 with IMS Solution
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07-24-2017, 03:32 PM
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BIGJake111
Are you the type to fix your 986 yourself when it needs something done or is it something for the Indy or dealer to deal with?
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I have a great Indy shop nearby. Mostly alignments, track inspection prior to events. I do most of what I can myself. Oil changes, gearbox oil change, radiator changed, plugs, filters, lights, belt and pulleys, brakes and rotors, top covering and top components and more all DIY.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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07-24-2017, 05:02 PM
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#14
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still plays with cars...
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Baden, ON, Canada
Posts: 1,088
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cheese
I have a great Indy shop nearby. I do most of what I can myself. Oil changes, gearbox oil change, radiator changed, plugs, filters, lights, belt and pulleys, brakes and rotors, top covering and top components and more all DIY.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Same page here...
I've done most of that list myself.
I have my Indy do what I'm not comfortable (IMS retrofit) or what would take me a whole lot longer than he can do (CV boots on my S).
He also matches or beats dealer price on most parts and saves me the hour+ drive one way.
__________________
Six speed 2000 Boxster S
Arctic Silver on Metropol Blue | LN Dual Row IMSR | Arctic Silver console, spoiler frame & bumperettes | Crios mod | Technobrace | RoboTop module & modified convertible top relay for one-touch roof operation
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07-25-2017, 06:56 AM
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#15
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On the slippery slope
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Austin and Palm Springs
Posts: 3,797
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ciao
It depends on skills, time, and tools available.
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That would apply to Charles's analogy as well 
__________________
2004 Boxster S 6 speed - DRL relay hack, Polaris AutoTop DIY
2004 996 Targa Tip
Instructor - San Diego region
2014 Porsche Performance Driving School
2020 BMW X3, 2013 Ram 1500, 2016 Cmax, 2004 F-150 "Big Red"
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07-25-2017, 07:12 AM
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#16
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 1,631
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I'll do some easy things myself - , install a new battery, clean radiator ducts and radiators, replace horns, brake pads and rotors, install Ben006 short shifter, replace gas cap, install rear speaker kit, add OBC stalk with PDwight cables, but I have my Indy do all the heavy jobs, and anything that requires removal of the engine covers, putting the car on a lift or safely disposing of hazardous waste like oil or brake fluid.
I even did my ignition switch replacement once, and the one I put in only lasted 7 months. When that failed I was at my Indy and the mechanic replaced it in about 15 minutes without taking out any ducts or vents. So I don't think I'll ever do that myself again!
Re the title of this thread, I tried to read "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance." I got about halfway through it and lost interest, but I would say that I have a similar attitude about maintaining my Boxster, even if I don't do everything myself.
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07-25-2017, 08:40 AM
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#17
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 114
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I've had my car for a little more than a month, and I've done some minor things myself (2DIN stereo, O2 sensor, water pump and ignition switch). I'm happy to give bigger jobs a shot - it's not my primary car so having it on jack stands in the garage for several days isn't an issue - the biggest roadblock for me is my sad (but improving) tool collection.
I figure that buying new tools to get a job done will typically cost less than taking it into a shop, so as long as I enjoy doing the work, why not?
__________________
'99 986 Ocean Blue Metallic
'87 924S, winter beater
'17 VW Golf Sportwagen, for when I need extra seats
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07-25-2017, 10:28 AM
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#18
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Sanford NC
Posts: 2,567
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Common/easy I do. Things that need a rack or special tools I often take to non-Porsche specializing places (O2 sensors for an example). Porsche specialized things I find the best indie or in desperation a dealer. In 5 years, 2 trips to the dealer, one to an indie, two to muffler shops, rest me.
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07-26-2017, 03:23 AM
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#19
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Detroit
Posts: 211
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BIGJake111
Are you the type to fix your 986 yourself when it needs something done or is it something for the Indy or dealer to deal with?
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There is nothing short of some programming that can't be done with patience and following the myriad of online guides.
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07-26-2017, 03:36 AM
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#20
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Luckyed
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Florida
Posts: 253
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I am not one of those guys that can use a tool with proficiency the first time, although I have a brother that is practically a Macgyver and can seemingly fix anything.
Whereas I am not totally helpless, I am relegated to simple projects that I can't screw up too badly.
Front trunk strut replacement, battery replacement, convertible top module replacement, oil changes.....easy stuff.
Although late last year a buddy helped me swap out the defective 3 stalk control for a 4 stalk with OBC activation. But that is pretty much it.
I paid my Indy to replace my water pump/belt a couple years ago.
__________________
2001 Base 2.7 - Arctic Silver - 5 speed - Comfort Top -
3-4 Stalk OBC Upgrade - Double DIN Head Unit
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Molly
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2004 Porsche Boxster S
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2001 Porsche 986 Base
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