Suggest Mechanic for New 944 Owner? (T-Belt Service Needed)

[phoenix_iii]

Need to do the T-belt, and associated goodies (Water pump, I assume some other pulleys, etc).

Can I get recommendations in a technician to go see? Or a trusted memeber I can pay? =)

Plymouth Meeting/Philadelphia area is fine.

[thekidd]

I know of a place in Hatboro called Dinardo aUto service. They are a foreign auto shop, focuses mainly on european cars. Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lambo, BMW, Audi, Mercedies, Jaguar, etc... There are always a few Porshes in their lot. I bought my 924S there a while ago and are a great group of guys and their labor chage is $65, pretty darn good compared to Porsche shops that are $100+ now. Their number is 215-443-5335, give them a call and see whats up. There is another European shop, dont know the name, but they are in Holland near 2nd street pike and almshouse road

[phoenix_iii]

Thank you for posting. If you see my other threads, I have the car scheduled for service... THERE. How fortunate I liked the guys there... dropping off the car tomorrow

[thekidd]

HAHA, thats cool, think you will be happy with the out come. I just may have to go and check your car out if I have the chance. I have the tools for the job, just not the knowledge to actually have helped you out with it, nor a 944 at the time Where in the Philadelphia area are you? A few of my neighbors have purchashed 944's, and i have seen about 3-4 on a usual basis, so if I could get ahold of them, we should all go out for a nice long run if the weather holds out, or definetly in the spring time. Congradulations on the purchase!!!

[phoenix_iii]

I am currently in Blue Bell, PA. Work in Horsham, PA (right down the street from the place). Will still be working in Horsham, but moving to ~400 Fairmount Ave in Philadelphia.

=)

[thekidd]

ok, cool. Hopefully we'll be riding together soon. Enjoy the new ride! Im looking for a new 944, and one of your posts you said Dinardo has some in their lot. What yaer and condition are they in? If you could take a quick look for me that would be great!! And keep an eye out for ones on sale if you can? Thanks, Steve.

[phoenix_iii]

Stay away from Dinardo Foreign Motors if you have a 944...


I have stories (that happened to me) if you need them. =(

[thekidd]

What about them? Im taking my car in for inspection. I thought that they had a good reputation. Do you have a blue 944 with the yellow konis? I saw one there a few weeks ago with some pelican parst stickers in the back, you know the ones they give you when you order something. I called and they said it was in there for servicing.
Also, do you know any junk yards with 944's in them?

[phoenix_iii]

They were nice to me.... gladly took my money, charging me full shop time (max by the book) for everything.


Impropertly installed...

* Oil Pressure Sender. Gave me the car with the gauge fully pegged at 5+. I had to bring it back to get the wires switched
* They 'Lost' one of my door handles when I needed to have something done with the locks. They told me I never gave it to them. Then they found a few weeks later thinking it was my original 'one', because I had to buy new locks and door handles to get installed. Didn't install the plastic guards on the one side, or apologize
* Told me my squeaking in the back right was fine/ride it out. The wheel bearing froze, and took the wheel hub with it. This was AFTER I had them install new calipers and pads and rotors on all four corners
* Installed 3 of 4 brake lines, saying they couldn't get one off. Came back a week later and wanted to know what I did because it came right off. ?
* Disconnected my air conditioning power line and told me that my compressor was leaking and that's why I didn't have AC. Found out later (thanks RS Barn) that there was a bolt missing in the AC compressor. Took 20 min to install, a pita, hooked power back up, and my AC blows COLD for 3 weeks now. Topped off the R134A after hooking up compressor (AC worked originally when I got the car, then stopped after Tbelts), also left a bolt missing in my power steering pump... which can be dangerous if the belt comes off...
* INCORRECTLY INSTALLED LOWER BALANCE SHAFT PULLY AND TOLD ME MY TRANNY WAS GOING, TERRIBLE VIBRATION ONLY AT 4000 RPM... WTF. RS barn cleared it up. Great to drive now.
* Door Handles that were installed = the locks are clean on the inside, I can use 'any' key to open them, wtf. Didn't install tumbler pins?
* Door handle on driver side, the roll pin fell out (I told them to use a bolt, they said they knew how to use the roll pins just fine).


I don't even want to think about any more stuff...

Didn't bleed the clutch when bleed the brakes (black fluid + new fluid mixed now), cracked my tranny housing I think when taking out a stripped drain bolt (no need just use fluid extractor you jerks). =(

[thekidd]

Oh dham! I figured that they knew what they were doing. No wonder there are 2 944's that have been sitting there for a long time (white '84 w/ blown head gasket trying to sell it, and am early red 944 that has been there when i Bought my 924S from them almost 3 years ago)
How is your car doing now? Stiil troubled? Where do you take it now? Seems that you and me are the only ones in the area that are on PP. Hmmmmm. Im wondering what they are going to say about my car. My rotors are about 1.5mm wider than the replacement measurements here on PP18.5 mm replacement width, and I need a blower motor for my defroster to pass inspection. It blew the other night, yellow smoke all in the interior, stinky stuff.

[phoenix_iii]

RS Barn. 968workaholic on rennlist. Contact him and tell him what you need, I am sure he would be happy for your to swing by. They do all 944/951/968 (front end typically) work. Made my car sing, very happy. =) They have a local place across the street that does inspection, I'm thinking of going there.

[thekidd]

OK sounds good. Are they 2 people, or is one a shop?

[phoenix_iii]

RS Barn = shop name. 968workaholic = person who helped me out. a lot. =) and is still offering to help with my climate control.

[thekidd]

ok, great. i sent him a message on rennlist, and ill look up the shop. Is that the one in Newtown? know their labor charge by hand? Thanks a bunch.

[crashmy911]

Try Bob Fox in Ambler pa