Service advice on low mileage 987S
Discussion
My 987S is coming up to twelve years old, so is due a major service this year. Mileage is just about to pass 26k.
I have always taken it back to the OPC, and with fixed price servicing and owners club discount it hasn't ever been much more expensive than local specialists.
This time they have advised timing belt and plugs in addition to the service and brake fluid change. Is this necessary on a car that is doing about 2k miles a year, about 50% long trips and 50% town driving?
I have always taken it back to the OPC, and with fixed price servicing and owners club discount it hasn't ever been much more expensive than local specialists.
This time they have advised timing belt and plugs in addition to the service and brake fluid change. Is this necessary on a car that is doing about 2k miles a year, about 50% long trips and 50% town driving?
I believe the belt should be changed every 6 years no matter what the mileage, so your car must have had this done once before. Personally I would have it done again to be on the safe side. As for plugs that is questionable and you probably wouldn't notice any difference if they were changed for new.
W1TAK said:
I believe the belt should be changed every 6 years no matter what the mileage, so your car must have had this done once before. Personally I would have it done again to be on the safe side. As for plugs that is questionable and you probably wouldn't notice any difference if they were changed for new.
Thanks. That is very much in line with what I was thinking. kingston12 said:
My 987S is coming up to twelve years old, so is due a major service this year. Mileage is just about to pass 26k.
I have always taken it back to the OPC, and with fixed price servicing and owners club discount it hasn't ever been much more expensive than local specialists.
This time they have advised timing belt and plugs in addition to the service and brake fluid change. Is this necessary on a car that is doing about 2k miles a year, about 50% long trips and 50% town driving?
Serpentine belt gets changed every 60K miles (?) and if there is a change based on age I'm not aware of it. This doesn't mean there isn't one only that with my usage I've never had to change one due to age. There probably is. Porsche considers tires past their replace by date after 6 years of age. Why not a (mostly) rubber serpentine belt?I have always taken it back to the OPC, and with fixed price servicing and owners club discount it hasn't ever been much more expensive than local specialists.
This time they have advised timing belt and plugs in addition to the service and brake fluid change. Is this necessary on a car that is doing about 2k miles a year, about 50% long trips and 50% town driving?
Plugs can have a change interval based on miles or time. The problem with plugs is over time combustion gases work in between the plug and head threads. These gases result in acids forming and over time the corrosion that arises at the plug/head thread interface can damage the plug and head threads.
(You can see this combustion gas sign by looking at the old plugs. The threads will be discolored starting at the tip end of the plug and possibly extending all the way up to the threaded portion of the spark plug.)
Since the plug can easily be removed and replaced which renews the thread the concern is not so much with the plugs but the head plug threads. Damage one of these and one could be looking at a new head if a thread repair is unable to save the head.
Brake fluid is due to be flushed/bleed every 2 years regardless of miles. The fluid attracts moisture and since the brake fluid reservoir is open to atmosphere this process goes on continuously as the reservoir heats up and cools down and thus "breathes".
While I have never noticed a change in braking after a brake (and clutch) fluid flush/bleed I have noticed a real improvement in clutch feel/action and shifting. Before this while I always adhered to the 2 year brake fluid flush/bleed (well, except the time I let it go 2.5+ years) I didn't really believe it all that necessary. But after my experience the last time I'm a believer. Git 'er done! Every 2 years! And be sure if the car is equipped with a manual the clutch hydraulic system is flushed/bled at the same time.
Rockster said:
Serpentine belt gets changed every 60K miles (?) and if there is a change based on age I'm not aware of it. This doesn't mean there isn't one only that with my usage I've never had to change one due to age. There probably is. Porsche considers tires past their replace by date after 6 years of age. Why not a (mostly) rubber serpentine belt?
Page 15 of my Guarantee and Maintenance booklet put the drive (serpentine) belt under the category of "Additional maintenance every 90,000km (60,000 mls), but no later than every 6 years".gsewell said:
Page 15 of my Guarantee and Maintenance booklet put the drive (serpentine) belt under the category of "Additional maintenance every 90,000km (60,000 mls), but no later than every 6 years".
Well, there you are. Every 60K miles or 6 years. I replace the one on my 2002 Boxster every 60K miles which is every 3 years...ooid said:
How is your coolant? when was the last time it was bleed? I would seriously recommend cooling system check (water pump+ fan resistors which usually fail and the condition of coolant.) These engines do really need decent cooling, it's a major important factor imho.
I had a new water pump three years ago, so I guess it was done then. I'll have to check.I don't think that is part of any of the service schedules. Would you have that done each time?
V800MJH said:
I would definitely replace all that is due. Belt, plugs and brake fluid.
That is what I have decided to do. I am not having the Tyre Weld replaced (OPC want £65, it is £9 on Amazon), but apart from that, I'll have it all done.V800MJH said:
May I ask what the forum discount you mention is? Porsche GB club? Do you actually get much discount at a dealer on services?
Cheers
PCGB gives a 20% discount on parts and labour at the OPC, but doesn't include the service itself as the 987 has now moved onto their fixed price schedule.Cheers
I'll save about £130 from the list prices when I have all of the work done. It makes some of the prices less painful (e.g. £215 to replace six spark plugs!)
It seems as though it pays for the membership and a bit more if no work needs doing, so worth having for me. If significant work was required, I probably wouldn't use the OPC unless the discounted price was somewhere close to a specialist.
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