Got my "free" 2002 986

[LoremPullum]

Hi-

I recently came into a "free" 2002 986, 111K miles. I say "free" of course because it needs work to pass California smog check, and certainly some TLC. Seems to drive OK though, and it sure is fun! My last car like this was a 1970 Spitfire. This one seems much more fun, though the engine is not nearly as accessible.

Lots to do - the front bumper needs replacing, 1 headlight seems broken, CEL on. Brake rotor feels warped, fluids should all be refreshed, lots of paint nicks, and then there's the seats... Good thing the color matches my duct tape.




















also: any idea what this is, and where it should attach?

[The Radium King]

welcome. that is the drain that attaches to the battery.

[RedBluff]

Excellent deal...hope you're better to it than everyone else has been.

[Anker]

Like a previously mistreated dog, it will reward you in spades for some TLC!

[L1ttleBastard]

Watching this build thread!

Welcome to the club

[dghii]

The price is right! Its got an updated top as well. Look on eBay for used seats and get them shipped to you in pieces (to save shipping costs). Used front bumper and the car will look very presentable.

Change fluids, get brakes squared away and drive the thing!

[LoremPullum]

I'm making slow but steady progress. My mechanic still has not been able to fix the codes so I can get the vehicle smog-certified.

I replaced the too-far-gone front headlights, and discovered that the right-side headlight bracket & socket connector were held together with bits of tape. I'll need a new one of those... Replaced the CD holder with a shelf, removed the ash-tray, fixed the roof retract mechanism, replaced the fuel-fill sensor (seems to have helped making filling easier), added many plastic fasteners to the trunk & hood carpets, replaced all the hood / trunk struts, and on and on.

I'm thinking I may need to head to an official Porsche dealer to sort out the smog certificate issues. I've attached an OBD report, in case anyone has any suggestions.

[LoremPullum]

Some updates. I installed new headlights -- old ones refused my re-finishing efforts. Lots of cleaning, and replacing all the fasteners that hold down the carpets in the trunk and hood. New trunk / hood struts, and I replaced the fuel-fill sensor/valve. Fill-ups seem a bit better now. Fixed the roof retract mechanism so I can drive top-down (California!).

My mechanic has been unable to fix the smog codes so far -- 10 days of fiddling. I may need to take it to the dealer (?).



diagnostic report:

[Brian in Tucson]

Well done, Loren. Keep at the cels, eventually they work out.

[BrakeExpert]

Nice score, there's not a person in here who wouldn't have taken that car to be fixed and restored to its former glory. Glad it was fixed and not parted