Window / Door Frame Refurb

The black window / door frame surrounds are another 993 weak point. Id go so far as to say most cars that have not had this attended to will have issues by now.

The frame surround is some kind of anodised metal, and is prone to blistering, cracking and general corrosion. I don't think it's a problem, it just doesn't look pretty so I have had both doors stripped and refurbished by Pete at Langley Autocraft (who also did my windscreen surround a few months ago)

Blistered inside of door frame on passenger side

Paint peeling from top of passenger door

Extreme close up of drivers side door (hardly any corrosion on this side, but in for a penny etc etc.....)

The door is stripped, the frames removed, blasted then repainted and reassembled. As usual from Pete, a superb finish.

Trickle Charger

Now the new battery is in, I wanted to find a trickle charger that would keep it topped up. I use it so infrequently that even the tiny drain that the alarm places on the battery results in the very real risk that it will be dead when i want to use it.

I don't have any access to power, so the only option is to use a solar powered trickle charger. These sit on the dash and send a tiny electrical current back via the cigar lighter to the battery.

I bought it without considering the fact that the cigar lighter would need to be permanant rather than ignition switched live. So in factory guise, there's no way of making the trickle charger perform. I found a workaround.

Wire with 7.5A in-line fuse

I found a strip of wire with an in-line fuse, and cut the ends of. Then crimped a spade connector at each end.

Spade connector on each end

I pulled the cigar lighter fuse from the fuse box, then found a perm live feed from one of the empty DME relay sockets. The one I used is a perm live for a car with a tiptronic gearbox.

Then jsut use the in line fuse to bridge from the perm live DME output into the space left empty from the cigar lighter fuse = a perm live cigar lighter which is still fused just in case.....

Works Perfectly.....

New Battery and Boot Cleanup

Time for a new battery.

It's a chance to take the spare wheel out - something I have never done before - along with all the tool kit bits and pieces Porsche gave you in 1997 to help change it.

It's nicely packed in the wheel cavity:

Carpet out to reveal the tools

Toolkit has some of the parts you need - but I have my doubts as to whether they would be sufficient to change the tyre on the side of the road. Toolkit, compressor that plugs into lighter socket to inflate tyre, plastic ground sheet and plastic bag containing plastic gloves. Nice to have the complete set.

Great opportunity to clear all the dust out from the boot once everything's removed

With the battery out, you have a great opportunity to get up close to all of the weird brown factory sealant that Porsche seemingly haphazardly painted everywhere. I think it really adds to that hand-built feel of the 993. Despite appearances, this is exactly how it should look. Here are a few shots of the sealant up close. Smooth and perfect = worry about your cars past. Messy and bodged looking = don't worry.

Good opportunity to look inspect one of the factory stickers that should be present under the front wing. Paint code sticker should look like this:

I opted for a Bosch S5 battery to replace the Varta one that was in there. Remember to reconnect the breather tube. Here it is all put back together....

Finally - boot carpet back in place. complete with saggy front pocket

Brooklands

Took the car to a Porsche outing at Brooklands Museum.

Able to take the cars out onto the old historic banked part of the circuit for a big group shot.
Marvellous

Screen Rust and Bonnet Seals

One of the notorious rust points on the 993 occurs around the front and rear windscreens. Often the root cause of this is careless screen replacement where the galvanising is chipped or scraped leading to water ingress and subsequently, rust.

I didn't take a 'before' photo of mine - so here's one off the interweb showing severe corrosion.

My car had tiny bubbles of corrosion starting to appear around the wiper stalks in front of the front screen. I had the windscreen removed and the entire area fully repaired by Langley Autocraft (highly recommended - Pete the owner is the PCGB bodyshop panel expert and has a superb 993 and 996). The ned result is superb.  A true, mirror like finish. They guy's a genius with a spray can.

No bubbles anymore

993 windscreens are notoriously problematic to remove and replace and require an expert with previous experience! Very often, the screen can squeak as it moves slightly in the scuttle which is annoying.

I had the screen replaced with a lining of teflon tape which ensures a squeak free result.

At the same time, I had the small rubber seals replaced around the edges of the screen and the leading edge of the bonnet.  Close-ups below.

Rubber Seals replaced

Underneath

I was lucky enough to go to Porsche Byfleet for a 993 day where owners could get under the cars with a mechanic and do a thorough inspection. (OPC Byfleet are a great bunch - highly recommended - especially for pre '98 Porsche)

The 993 has two plastic undertrays which protect engine and gearbox. They are held on with only a few screws / clips and are very quick and easy to remove. With the undertrays in place, it's almost impossible to see if there are any oil leaks - any drips collect on the tray - not under the car on the drive / street so no oil on the pavement doesn't necessarily mean no oil leaking!

Plastic Undertrays in place

Once the undertrays are off, you can inspect the engine and gearbox properly to see what's going on. Typical 993 areas where oil can weep is from the cam covers, chain covers and gearbox seal. It is very common for these areas to show signs of leaking. Damp is nothing to worry about - worth changing when having other work done but not essential. Major leaks = engine out = big bill.

Undertrays removed - engine and gearbox guts exposed

It was great to get the car up on a ramp and have a good look underneath. Not often you see 3 993's in a row at an OPC these days...

Keys

The C16 UK cars were fitted with Thatcham approved alarms / immobilisers by a company called Hamilton and Palmer. They supplied either the PA 1000 or PA 2000 alarm - I'm not sure what the difference is.
All 3 of my 993's have had the PA 1000. Hamilton & Palmer are extremely helpful when it comes to matters concerning the alarm and are a good place to start if you encounter any issues.

The original key fobs have a raised button and an indented button for lock / unlock along with a tiny red light that's activated when either of the buttons are pressed.

I have two spare fobs - both of which were supplied by Hamilton & Palmer. The new design is slightly smaller and has no light - however I still like to use the original despite the fact that it's starting to look a little tatty.

Additionally, all Hamilton & Palmer alarmed cars were originally supplied with a red 'Master Key' which allows you to program new fobs. It's common for cars to change hands without this red master, so it's a real bonus if you have one!

Keys for my 993