need help diagnosing problem with my 944
 

Hello all,
I recently purchased an old 1985 944 and I'm having a lot of trouble getting it to run. When I try to start it runs for a couple of seconds and then exhaust comes out of the intake and it dies. I checked the timing and it looks fine (if the timing marks left by the previous owner are accurate), the sparks plugs are working fine, I checked the fuel lines the other day and I don't think there are any blockages, but I'm still gonna run some seafoam through them just to be sure. My injectors look fine (I still need to test them to make sure but I think they are alright). I'm not really sure what's wrong with it, I don't have the MAF hooked up but I don't think that's the problem. If anyone could help me with what the potential problem might be and where I should go from here that would be greatly appreciated.

The MAF is called the AFM or Air Flow Meter in these cars, and it needs to be hooked up for it to start.

Also what year and model is the car as there are 85/1 round dash cars and 85/2 oval dash cars.

Maybe take a look at clarks-garage.com to get oriented. Lots of good troubleshooting info there.

Best of luck,
John

Clark's Garage Home Page...JRC this is the link mention by jjffries.good luck solving your probleme.:D

Definitely a good resource there.

Also you might try a squirt bottle of fuel or some starting fluid, see if it'll stay running longer with added fuel. The appearance of the injectors does not tell you much, they are often sticky or plugged with old fuel.

It's real easy to test the injectors. Visual inspection doesn't tell you anything. Pull the fuel manifold off with injectors attached. Put a clear plastic glass under each injector. pull off the electric connectors on each. Get a 9v battery with wires attached to each terminal. Solder small alligator clips to the ends of the wires. Put the jumper wire on the DME relay so the fuel pump runs and then touch the alligator clips briefly to the connector of each injector and observe the spray pattern into the plastic glass. If they don't look good I recommend sending them out to a rebuild facility like Witch hunter in Duval, WA. He ususally does a complete clean and rebuilt for about $100 a set. Well worth the money. You're probably ready for new injector seals and orfice hat at this point, anyway. He does it all.

Exhaust should never come out of the intake. Your timing is suspect.

When I bought my 85.2, I had the same issue with the exhaust coming back through the throttle body. I found that the wrong starter was installed and it was spinning the engine backwards. It was a starter from a 924 a d while it was nearly identical physically to the 944's, its gearing was wrong and sounds the engine backwards. I installed a new correct starter and it fired right up. I would double check the stamped number on the starter and ensure it starter with 944. You just never know with buying a used car that doesn't run and I never thought in a million years that would be the issue.

With the wrong starter it would not start and run for a few seconds. Backfiring through the intake could be fuel related as well as timing, lots of basic testing is needed to get a handle on this.

Check the spark plug wires to make sure they are in the correct firing order.

I belive its the round dash

Hook up the afm/maf...
 

Car will start but not run with afm/maf unhooked. plug in and put on intake.

I would say the timing belt slipped. Open it up and check the marks on the rotor to camshaft. This will entail a lot more than just moving ANYTHING. (Clark's Garage) Needs to be done according to Porsche specks. The cam/timing/balance shaft belt/belts is the lifeline of these engines. I've gone through a lot of what you are saying. Give me the engine specs. I have created a lot of diagnostic LED circuits to test injectors and DME relay jumper. Mine was actually a new faulty Ignition Control Module that not all 944's have, only the "S". But it set me back 2 months of fighting with it. Make sure your getting good parts. Good luck my friend.