1981 Porsche 928 problems
The Porsche 928 is a grand touring car with a 2+2 seating layout manufactured by Porsche AG of Germany from 1978 to 1995. Initially conceived to address changes in the automotive market, it represented Porsche's first fully in-house design for a production vehicle and was intended to potentially replace the Porsche 911 as the company's flagship model. The 928 aimed to blend the performance and handling characteristics of a sports car with the comfort, spaciousness, and ride quality of a luxury car. Porsche executives believed that the 928 would have broader appeal compared to the compact, somewhat outdated, and slow-selling air-cooled 911. Notably, it was Porsche's inaugural production model powered by a V8 engine located at the front, and it achieved remarkable top speeds, earning recognition upon its 1978 release by winning the European Car of the Year award. The Autocar described it as a "super car" in 1980.
Conception
In the late 1960s, Porsche had solidified its reputation as a manufacturer of high-performance sports cars. Amidst the 1970s oil crisis, there were discussions among executives, including owner Ferdinand Porsche, regarding the potential addition of a more fuel-efficient luxury touring car to the company's lineup. Managing director Ernst Fuhrmann advocated for the development of this new model, expressing concerns about the 911, Porsche's flagship model at the time, nearing its performance limits. Fuhrmann believed that expanding into grand touring cars with conventional engines could be essential for the company's future, contrasting with the unconventional sports cars like the 911. The declining sales of the 911 in the mid-1970s suggested a possible downturn in its market appeal. Fuhrmann envisioned the new range-topping grand tourer as a blend of sports coupé and luxury sedan, distinguishing it from the 911 with its more utilitarian interior and pure sports car performance. In the view to please the very important USA market, it switched to front-engined, V8 power and a more spacious interior that included two real child seats (rather than the dog seats in the 911). The goal was to create a model that could compete with offerings from Mercedes-Benz and BMW while also appealing to the American market, which was Porsche's primary market at the time.
Ordered by Ferdinand Porsche to develop a production-feasible concept for the new model, Fuhrmann commenced a design study in 1971, resulting in the creation of the 928. This model marked Porsche's first clean-sheet design for its own model. Previous Porsche models had been iterations or collaborations: the 356 bore similarities to the Volkswagen Beetle, the 911 evolved from the 356, the 914 was a joint venture aimed at replacing the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia and 912, and the 924 stemmed from a discontinued Volkswagen and Audi project.
Various drivetrain layouts were considered during early development, including rear- and mid-engine configurations, but many were dismissed due to technical and regulatory challenges. Issues with emissions and noise control, similar to those experienced with the 911, arose from cramming the engine, transmission, catalytic converter(s), and exhaust into a small rear engine bay. After determining that the mid-engine layout lacked sufficient space in the passenger compartment, Porsche opted for a front-engine, rear-wheel drive configuration.
Porsche engineers sought a large-displacement engine for the 928, and prototype units were initially equipped with a 5-liter V8 engine producing 300 PS (220 kW; 300 hp). There were discussions about utilizing a 4.6-liter 90-degree V10 engine with 88 mm bore spacing, which was a derivative of the Audi 5-cylinder engine (also used in the Lamborghini Gallardo) and based on the Volkswagen EA827 unit. However, this proposal faced objections from the Porsche board due to concerns that it might lead to rumors of a new 911 model with a front-mounted Volkswagen-based engine. Additionally, it is speculated that the board aimed to maintain some separation from the Volkswagen Group.
The resulting all-alloy M28 engine incorporated several distinctive features. Its bore spacing was 122 mm, indicating the use of thick, all-aluminum cylinder barrels without steel liners. The water jackets were notably large, hinting at the engine's potential for racing applications. To maintain a low hood line, the engine prioritized airflow, resulting in the placement of spark plugs at the top of the head. The four-bolt bearings were substantial and received oil via grooves in the block's bottom surface. They were supported by a large one-piece structure forming a lower block, with the cast aluminum oil pan bolted onto this component.
The oil and water pumps were driven by a timing belt. In 1985, DOHC engines introduced a hybrid timing system where the timing belt operated only the exhaust camshafts, while the intake camshafts were driven via an internally-mounted simplex roller chain from the exhaust camshaft. This approach simplified the timing belt layout, requiring fewer components and leading to easier and less costly maintenance. This timing system was later adopted by Porsche 944 and also by Audi and Volkswagen in their belt-driven DOHC engines.
The first two running prototypes of Porsche's M28 V8 initially utilized a single four-barrel carburetor for initial testing. However, the production cars ultimately employed the planned Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection system. As concerns over fuel prices and availability during the 1970s oil crisis grew within the company, discussions emerged regarding the feasibility of smaller engines to improve fuel economy. There was a proposal for the development of a 3.3 L 182 PS (134 kW; 180 hp) powerplant, suggested by Fuhrmann, but this was met with resistance from company engineers. Eventually, both sides reached a consensus on a 4.5 L, SOHC per bank 16-valve V8 engine producing 240 PS (180 kW; 240 hp) (219 hp (163 kW) in North America). This engine was considered to strike an acceptable balance between performance and fuel efficiency.
By 1973, essential development was finished and a prototype was built and under testing. At this moment, Arab-Israeli war broke out and brought the threat of energy crisis. Sales of large and thirsty cars plunged. It was a big hit to both 928 and Porsche. The project was put into low gear and production postponed until 1977.
The finished car made its debut at the 1977 Geneva Motor Show and was subsequently released for sale later that year as a 1978 model. Despite earning early acclaim for its comfort, power, and futuristic design, sales were initially sluggish. The base prices of the 928 were considerably higher than the previous range-topping 911 model, and the shift to a front-engined, water-cooled design unsettled some traditional Porsche enthusiasts.
Following the departure of Fuhrmann, Peter Schutz, his successor, opted to continue selling both models concurrently, believing that the 911 still had a place in the company's lineup. However, legislative restrictions against rear-engined vehicles never materialized. Although the 928 didn't achieve the sales targets envisioned by Fuhrmann, it garnered a devoted following and enjoyed an 18-year production run.
Social links
Common 1981 Porsche 928 problems
Based on complaints from owners of the Porsche 928 1981, several common problems have been reported:
- Electrical Gremlins: The Porsche 928 is known to have electrical issues, especially if the car is not driven regularly. Symptoms include intermittent hard starts, rough idle, poor performance, and bad gauge readings. Proper maintenance, including cleaning ground points, ground straps, and sensor connectors, is crucial to avoid these problems.
- Timing Belt and Water Pump Service: The timing belt in the Porsche 928 requires regular replacement every 30,000 miles to prevent mechanical engine damage. Neglecting to replace the timing belt can lead to costly repairs, as it powers both the oil and water pumps. Additionally, the later S4 version of the 928 had both a timing chain and a timing belt, adding complexity to maintenance.
- Air Conditioning Issues: Due to the use of outlawed R12 refrigerant in older models, many Porsche 928s may have non-operational HVAC systems. Upgrading the system to accept R134a refrigerant can be expensive, leading to air conditioning problems in these cars.
- Power Steering Leaks: Power steering racks and hoses in the Porsche 928 are prone to leaks. While fixing leaks in hoses may not be too expensive, replacing the power steering rack is a more involved and costly job. Temporary solutions like stop-leak products may provide short-term relief, but eventual replacement is necessary.
- Rust and Body Panel Fitment: Rust is not a common issue in the Porsche 928 due to its aluminum construction. However, if extensive rust is present, it may indicate severe past damage. Proper care is essential to maintain the body's integrity and paint quality over time.
These common problems highlight the importance of regular maintenance and prompt attention to issues in the Porsche 928 1981 to ensure the longevity and performance of this classic car.
Are Porsche 928 reliable?
If properly maintained by someone who understood the car, second-hand 928s should have no significant issues. Many reliability complaints about the 928 were brought on by well-meaning but ignorant technicians.
Why did the 928 fail?
“It wasn't a sports car and was never meant to be a sports car. It was a GT – heavier, not as nimble as the 911 and built to carry the family on weekend getaways.” In the late 1960s, Porsche engineers believed they had pushed the rear-engine 911 as far as it could go, with slumping sales reinforcing this idea.
What is the top speed of 1981 Porsche 928?
At 146 mph (235 km/h) US model top speed, Porsche boldly claims the 928S to be "the fastest street legal production car sold in the US".
What is the fuel consumption of the Porsche 928?
Porsche 928 Fuel Consumption
It has an estimated fuel consumption starting from 14.7L/100km for Coupe /PULP for the latest year the model was manufactured.
1981 Porsche 928 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Porsche 928 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Electrical system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1981 Porsche 928 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1981 Porsche 928 complaints
The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1981 Porsche 928.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-06-01
- Fire: 1
- VIN: WPOJA0925BS
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: CONSUMER PURCHASED POWER FORCE BATTERY MAY 2000, IN JUNE THE BATTERY EXPLODED CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR DAMAGES BUT WAS DENIED. NLM
1981 Porsche 928 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1981 Porsche 928.
- Manufacturer: PORSCHE CARS N.A. INC.
- Components: SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER
- Summary: FRONT SHOCK ABSORBERS ON SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE IMPROPERLY WELDED MOUNTING EYES. THE SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNTING COULD SEPARATE AND CAUSE THE SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE IF VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ON ROUGH ROADS FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.
- Remedy: THE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBERS ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES WILL BE CHECKED AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1981 Porsche 928 problems:
928 Reliability Myths and Truths - Rennlist - Porsche Discussion ...
Dec 21, 2009 ... 1) Reliability problems with a 928 are almost always due to deferred maintainence. If they are maintained proerly, they are utterly reliable.
Porsche 928: Common Issues | Rennlist
Thrust Bearing Failure. One of the most common issues Porsche 928 owners report is failure of the engine thrust bearing in automatic transmission equipped cars.
**MOST Common 928 Issues AND Fixes** - Page 3 - Pelican Parts ...
Oct 3, 2011 ... **MOST Common 928 Issues AND Fixes**. rjm65 ... Porsche 928 electrical short tip! ... It is a common problem and you must remove the fuse to the ...
Cold Start Valve - 928 Owners Club Forum
Jan 13, 2021 ... "Difficulty starting engine only when cold" BTW, it starts with, " This is one the most common problems with the K-Jet system". 1. Control ...
1981 928S AT Transmission Problem - Pelican Parts Forums
Apr 29, 2009 ... Hi there, I am writing in hope that someone can help me find a solution to a transmission problem I have on my 1981 928S.
Other years of Porsche 928
Are you having problems with your 1981 Porsche 928?
Leave your review of 1981 Porsche 928