Hello All

[strath44]

Hey all, just bought my first Porsche and been guided in your direction. Looking through the previous threads everyone seems very helpful, hoping that in time can return some help!

Anyway about the car its a 1984 944 in Slate Grey(?), Black logo interior, 125K (miles), manual box and the alloys are called Fuch's I think. I was originally after a 924(s) and was just about to give up looking as I'm a bit indecisive and was taking ages, plus travelling overseas for a few months soon. Anyway the said car turned up at a good price needeing some tlc, with some service history too. So here I am.

Mechanically its good, pulls and handles well & starts fine etc. However the body work needs some attention mainly to the sills, no rot but a fair few patches of surface rust not helped by the huge amount of salt the Scottish roads are seeing at the moment. Theres no rust above the height of the door sills but the wings and bonnet need a bit of tlc.

Driven the car quite a lot already and a few probs have come to light: the Sunroof won't lock (removed it and the little prongs won't lock back in place, you hear the motor turning but won't lock them, tried using manual technique but still doesn't work). Folded the mirrors in for the garage and the passenger one isn't working anymore. The pop-up light switch is away - new one coming, also car needs oil change etc. If its of any interest will get some pics once I thoroughly clean it!

[TCMdocs944]

Welcome Strath!


Congrats on the purchase....you will come to love and hate her like any good girlfriend!

Let me be the first to say...check those timing belts! :-)

[UconnTim97]

Welcome to the board.

Feel free to post pics of your car, they are always welcome here.

[ronin]

take care of it and it will be much more love and no hate

[ae1969]

Welcome to the board.... and have fun!

[will944]

Yup...take the right care of it (maintenance etc) and you will find it's a blast to drive and pretty reliable.

Congrats on th e purchase and welcome

[Sabyre]

Ahhhh!!! 1984. The best year.

Gratz on the car. Welcome!

[justin]

Welcome to the board!

[VINMAN]

Welcome aboard!

[FLA944]

Welcome to the board!

Please do those belts NOW! I recommend as you will be in there anyway do the waterpump and oil cooler seals as well. Never trust the Previous Owner and what they say about the maintenance, especially about the belts- they lie like thieves.

We love pics!

Rick

[TheCooler]

What up g.

[Z-man]

Congrats on the car purchase!

I want commend you for not asking if you can turbo your car in your first post here.

Regarding your sunroof, Click here for some help.
On later model 944's, the plastic gears that drive the system tend to brake and cause problems. Not exactly sure if you're gears are as fragile.

Like said above: get the timing belt replaced, as well as all seals/gaskets/belts and the H2O pump. The money you invest now on maintenance is likely far less than the cost of repairs you can incur if you don't pay attention NOW to the car's needs!

Have fun and enjoy the ride!
-Z-man.

[bigyagi]

hi strath, good to see another scotsman on here ! there is another guy recently on here from edinburgh. i'm from falkirk, but for last 7 years living in canada. very nice purchase, very gallus in fact !! you have come to the right place, as there are many knowledgeable people on here, and give great advice and tips. welcome !!
regards. bob.

[fast924S]

Hey man, Arent Porsches made from Galvanized metal and dont rust????

[UconnTim97]

Originally posted by fast924S
Hey man, Arent Porsches made from Galvanized metal and dont rust????

I've heard that before too. I always thought they would only rust if body repair was done poorly, and around the battery box.

[strath44]

I didn't see many 944's in the uk under £2k that didn't have a few blisters of rust. As I mentioned none of the rust is above the edge of the doors and seems to have been started by stone chips and scrapes which haven't been treated properly. I think the other prob is mine has had skirts/trim on the sides at some point and this has been removed without filling the screw holes also mud has been obviously trapped between the trim and bodywork not helping matters. It is incredible the amount of salt/grit that are on the roads here; everything green for about 3 or 4 feet at the road verge is dead and as I washed my work car today there was just a river of milky salt water on the drive! What I wanted to ask was I plan to change the oil at the weekend...is there any additives etc that should or shouldn't be used with the car ie injector cleaner, oil flush etc?

[UconnTim97]

There are plenty of differing opinions on the type of oil you should use. A search of the board will help you there. I currently use Castrol GTX and have no problems with it.
I've heard good things about Chevron Techron as a fuel additive.

[fast924S]

Mobile one Full synthetic oil, I use it in everything I have and I haven never had a problem, and it keeps everything very clean

[TCMdocs944]

The consensus (and obie wan Juvat) says "thou shalt not put additives in thine oil system" - ends up clogging some of the very important smaller holes.

As far as oil goes - the older cars were supposedly engineered with castrolGTX in mind (best at the time) but mobil one is now recommended by the factory for all P-cars.

I, unfortunately, have leaks. Therefore I run GTX right now.
When leak free, I will switch to M1 as I have heard that it can worsen small leaks.


If you want to "treat" the system AFjuvat recommends a ATF/oil flush (I think 50/50 ratio). Drain oil, put both in, run for a while then drain and fill with fresh oil and filter. Do a search and you will find exact proceedure.


Good luck

[Sabyre]

galvanized zinc-coated. They can rust.