Over the next couple of weeks I plan to share some information on a couple of useful DIY enhancements I've discovered for my 964 Targa, along with some requests for help on four current issues which I still need to resolve.
In this email, I thought I'd give some basic descriptions so I can get a feel for the level of interest in learning more about my DIY fixes and for the information on the issues which I need to provide to help potential samaritans understand the exact problem I'm encountering.
Fix 1: Aware that my roof has a tendency to leak in the rain, and having researched what role damaged seals might have in the level of wind roar from the roof at speed, I started to read up on using silicone sealant for repairs to damaged rubber seals. However, I came across details of a product recently launched in the UK called 'Sugru'. More details can be found here: https://sugru.com/. I'm not going to push a commercial product at anyone, but I found it very easy to use in shaping new silicone rubber that bonds extremely well to the existing but damaged sections of my roof seals. The product is inexpensive, comes in multiple colours (including black) and is widely available from one of the leading nationwide UK DIY stores. I'll post some photos of the repaired sections of my roof seals in a further post.
Fix 2: During my research on wind roar, I also came across a post from a US Targa owner who reckoned he had reduced the noise from his roof at speed by using a 5mm-think cardon fibre rod in the centre of his targa roof frame, parallel to the sides of the roof, as a brace. His aim was to ensure the frame remained at tension to help prevent the lift that's otherwise exerted on the targa roof by the airflow passing over the outside of the roof when travelling at speed. I found it easy to find a UK supplier of standard length / diameter carbon fibre rods and, having purchased one (10mm diameter, 1m length), to cut it to the specifications which our American friend had recommended (1/8th of an inch longer than the measurement between the inside of the front and rear sections of the targa frame close to the central hinge). It was easiest to put the brace in place with the roof off the car and I used some thin rubber (from a cycle inner tube) to help ensure the carbon rod didn't slip and damage the crackle finish on the targa frame. The result ... no wind noise at all even at the max. speeds I've travelled thus far (up to 100mph)! Again, I'll post some photos in another post.
Issue 1: I've owned my car for 12 years and it's always had a problem with a misfire / stalling after a period driving in the rain. Various suggestions have been made by mechanics over the years, and expensive components replaced, always without resolving the problem. I've felt we were onto something with the suggestion that it might be an issue with the HT leads. Indeed, one Porsche specialist, with Bosch electrical expertise as one of its claims, reckoned the problem was caused by poor routing of HT leads. Later, when this hadn't worked, they replaced one lead altogether (at a cost of £120 for the lead). However, driving down a wet autoroute en route to Le Mans this year, it quickly became apparent that the misfire and stalling remain a big issue. The problem seems worse with the amount of rainfall on the road. Running in the tyre tracks of cars in front, and keeping the revs high, both clearly reduced the propensity of the car to start misfiring. If the car stalled and came to a standstill, a short wait (to allow damp electrics to dry out with the engine warmth, perhaps?) was all it took before the engine would run smoothly again.
Issue 2: If my engine has been running hot (for example, in the queues at the Eurotunnel terminal), the car's ignition refuses to re-start the car after stopping the engine. The ignition lights some on, but turning the key gives absolutely nothing. No starter motor turning over, no clicks, just nothing. Again, simply waiting (for the engine to cool, it seems) leads to the problem going away. Then the car starts first turn of the key again, with an immediate 'fire-up'. I have an aftermarket alarm / immobiliser and I wonder if this struggles in a hot engine bay. Otherwise, it could be another component that doesn't like the heat. I read somewhere recently that the switch to raise the spoiler at any speed had been added by Porsche to allow owners to address oil leak issues in the early models caused by the engine running hot. Maybe, raising the spoiler will prevent the engine bay from getting so hot that this issue becomes a problem.
Issue 3: I have 2 pretty good quality Bridgestone SO2 tyres on the rear axle, but I really need to replace the fronts. However, I've scoured the websites for new SO2 tyres for my Cup 17" wheels without success. I'm tempted to replace all 4 tyres with some new sticky rubber (Yokohamas or Michelins, maybe), but I could do without the expense given the other issues with the car. Is it possible to still buy new SO2s anywhere, or do I have to simply bite the bullet?
Issue 4: It was an MOT advisory issue last year that the front springs were starting to corrode. The next MOT is due in September, so I'm starting to think about what needs to be done on this. Again, I've read somewhere recently that this is becoming a recurrent issue with the 964, but what does it mean in terms of the remedial work required and what are my options should I need to keep the cost down?
Sorry for the long message. All thoughts and helpful suggestions would be gratefully received.
Paul
In this email, I thought I'd give some basic descriptions so I can get a feel for the level of interest in learning more about my DIY fixes and for the information on the issues which I need to provide to help potential samaritans understand the exact problem I'm encountering.
Fix 1: Aware that my roof has a tendency to leak in the rain, and having researched what role damaged seals might have in the level of wind roar from the roof at speed, I started to read up on using silicone sealant for repairs to damaged rubber seals. However, I came across details of a product recently launched in the UK called 'Sugru'. More details can be found here: https://sugru.com/. I'm not going to push a commercial product at anyone, but I found it very easy to use in shaping new silicone rubber that bonds extremely well to the existing but damaged sections of my roof seals. The product is inexpensive, comes in multiple colours (including black) and is widely available from one of the leading nationwide UK DIY stores. I'll post some photos of the repaired sections of my roof seals in a further post.
Fix 2: During my research on wind roar, I also came across a post from a US Targa owner who reckoned he had reduced the noise from his roof at speed by using a 5mm-think cardon fibre rod in the centre of his targa roof frame, parallel to the sides of the roof, as a brace. His aim was to ensure the frame remained at tension to help prevent the lift that's otherwise exerted on the targa roof by the airflow passing over the outside of the roof when travelling at speed. I found it easy to find a UK supplier of standard length / diameter carbon fibre rods and, having purchased one (10mm diameter, 1m length), to cut it to the specifications which our American friend had recommended (1/8th of an inch longer than the measurement between the inside of the front and rear sections of the targa frame close to the central hinge). It was easiest to put the brace in place with the roof off the car and I used some thin rubber (from a cycle inner tube) to help ensure the carbon rod didn't slip and damage the crackle finish on the targa frame. The result ... no wind noise at all even at the max. speeds I've travelled thus far (up to 100mph)! Again, I'll post some photos in another post.
Issue 1: I've owned my car for 12 years and it's always had a problem with a misfire / stalling after a period driving in the rain. Various suggestions have been made by mechanics over the years, and expensive components replaced, always without resolving the problem. I've felt we were onto something with the suggestion that it might be an issue with the HT leads. Indeed, one Porsche specialist, with Bosch electrical expertise as one of its claims, reckoned the problem was caused by poor routing of HT leads. Later, when this hadn't worked, they replaced one lead altogether (at a cost of £120 for the lead). However, driving down a wet autoroute en route to Le Mans this year, it quickly became apparent that the misfire and stalling remain a big issue. The problem seems worse with the amount of rainfall on the road. Running in the tyre tracks of cars in front, and keeping the revs high, both clearly reduced the propensity of the car to start misfiring. If the car stalled and came to a standstill, a short wait (to allow damp electrics to dry out with the engine warmth, perhaps?) was all it took before the engine would run smoothly again.
Issue 2: If my engine has been running hot (for example, in the queues at the Eurotunnel terminal), the car's ignition refuses to re-start the car after stopping the engine. The ignition lights some on, but turning the key gives absolutely nothing. No starter motor turning over, no clicks, just nothing. Again, simply waiting (for the engine to cool, it seems) leads to the problem going away. Then the car starts first turn of the key again, with an immediate 'fire-up'. I have an aftermarket alarm / immobiliser and I wonder if this struggles in a hot engine bay. Otherwise, it could be another component that doesn't like the heat. I read somewhere recently that the switch to raise the spoiler at any speed had been added by Porsche to allow owners to address oil leak issues in the early models caused by the engine running hot. Maybe, raising the spoiler will prevent the engine bay from getting so hot that this issue becomes a problem.
Issue 3: I have 2 pretty good quality Bridgestone SO2 tyres on the rear axle, but I really need to replace the fronts. However, I've scoured the websites for new SO2 tyres for my Cup 17" wheels without success. I'm tempted to replace all 4 tyres with some new sticky rubber (Yokohamas or Michelins, maybe), but I could do without the expense given the other issues with the car. Is it possible to still buy new SO2s anywhere, or do I have to simply bite the bullet?
Issue 4: It was an MOT advisory issue last year that the front springs were starting to corrode. The next MOT is due in September, so I'm starting to think about what needs to be done on this. Again, I've read somewhere recently that this is becoming a recurrent issue with the 964, but what does it mean in terms of the remedial work required and what are my options should I need to keep the cost down?
Sorry for the long message. All thoughts and helpful suggestions would be gratefully received.
Paul
