Thanks Dave, if I need anything I'll let you know.
Ian, I think the previous owner (Soli) is an ok guy but he was unlucky with some age related faults and I consider he was not afforded the best level of repair by the various garages he has used. It started on his return journey to London after buying the car. The radiator failed and taking the quick option of filling it with cold water caused the head to crack.
Taking the top off the engine on a 944 turbo is just not the same as for example, a ford escort. Particularly if the car is 30 years old. A chain of problems followed and without the best possible ability to correctly diagnose, a process of replacement by elimination followed. That also did not work. Some parts were replaced with second hand parts that were also faulty. In the end, he threw too much money at the car without solving all the issues.
I had read about Jon Mitchell's expert knowledge and was impressed by his web site
www.jmgporsche.co.uk sufficiently to call him and ask if he could take on the job. He is simply a proper technicial engineer with a passion for all things Porsche and a vast experience of 944 turbo's in particular. I'm impressed by his professional approach and excellent customer service. It's just a little inconvenient that he is on the south coast but return flights to Southampton airport are only £75.00! Jon is also a technical advisor for both TIPEC and PGBOC.
You also mentioned the teledial wheels Ian. The '86 turbo cars are shod with 16" wheels of a different offset and are numerically rare. Fuch wheels were an option but I now like the teledials on this car.
The next seven days should reveal any hidden issues and I am getting ready for the return journey, looking forward to that! I think I have covered any of the 'while you are in there you may as well' type of repairs or maintenance items.
The car is dramatically different from my 911 of the same year, which adds to the ownership experience of them both.
Cheers, Keith :mechanic: