My first 944

[Eli K]

Hi all!

Just bought my first 944, it's an 84 with 160K, rebuilt engine (at around 120K) and replaced clutch (at around the same time).

The car is rough inside. The original owner took out the seats and put in cloth racers, which are now all torn and stained. As far as I know it needs new motor mounts (obviously), have to do the timing belt and water pump, and a bunch of other smaller things.

How many folks here work on their cars? Planning to take the car to the shop this week to do the timing belt, water pump, and the motor mount, all that for close to 2K.
Curious if there is someone in D.C. area who'd like to make some cash, while letting me watch and assist. Any takers???

Thanks
-Siberian

[will944]

Congrats on your purchase! Any pics??

I'm sure there are some people around who may be willing to help you out. The belt job is pretty simple with the proper tools.

Good Luck

[ernestedward]

Siberian-
Whereabouts do you live in fairfax? I can't help you with any of the maintenance (i'm just learning myself) but I'm over in falls church..so if you see a metallic brown 944 you'll know who it is.
What are some of the "smaller things" you have to do. I had to do a little work on mine when i first got it running and it was pretty intuitive, but nothing like the water pump and t-belt..what shop are you taking it to? I take mine to a great shop down in lorton that works exclusively on audis and porsches...they do GREAT work, and they really baby the cars.

[Eli K]

Thanks all for a warm welcome. I haven't had a chance to really enjoy the car yet, as I'm being cautious and waiting to change belts, etc before taking it on the road. I am sure it will be a blast.
I'm taking my car to Intersport, an independent porsche shop in tysons corner, they were recommended to me by a friend. Let me know more details about the place in Lorton I'm at ikarchov@hotmail.com

[bryanthompson]

Originally posted by ernestedward
Siberian-
Whereabouts do you live in fairfax? I can't ..so if you see a metallic brown 944 you'll know who it is.

Do you have a pic of your car? There aren't too many brown 944s out there... I've only see one other than my own.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Congratulations and welcome to the world of Porsche 944 ownership! It's not a car, it's truly an obsession (as no doubt you'll find out). There are a LOT of do-it-yourself type people that are excellent 944 wrenchers out there. There's likewise a well-developed network of Internet-based resources for you. You've already found this one, I'd also suggest Clark's Garage and Rennlist, to name just a couple.

The world of 944 owners is pretty small, but we're all similar enough to help each other out. Virtually any 944 owner in your area is bound to know something of use to you.

As an observation:
If you're mechanically competent and willing to TAKE YOUR TIME with the repairs (i.e. NOT do it under a deadline) you can easily do all those repairs for the price of parts and basic hand tools (exception: H2O pump thermostat will require snap-ring pliers, a flywheel lock is highly recommended (although there's ways around that too), and a belt tensioner of some sort is also recommended (although some people do it "by feel" and are quite good with it).

I'm just about to tackle this job myself as well: my recommendation would be to (since you're in there) change all the rollers and front engine seals also.

Motor mounts I haven't actually done, and I've read that they're a bit of a PITA, but they're a fairly common repair item on these cars. There's pretty good documentation available on doing them to the point where (again) if you have tools, time, parts and resources (like a garage), you shouldn't have much problem - I wouldn't sweat doing it, and I don't even have the garage! Best of luck with it!

[Brando]

Standard offer: Pay my airfare, give me a place to sleep and feed me, i'll be more than happy to help with repairs

Motor mounts are cake if you've got a floorjack and a breaker bar (not for breaking). Timing belt, water pump and roller, i'm new to that one, but instructions are easy to follow. Any of those other "while we're in here" things usually take hours and become the money pits.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I SERIOUSLY would recommend the seals though.

[Taz's Master]

I just got an '87 924s for parts that has a black interior (the 924s has the early 944 interior). Other than the dash the interior is in pretty good shape. If there are things you need/want, let me know. Cloth seats by the way.

[Eli K]

Here she is...after a bit of clean up.

[ernestedward]

Here's mine:





the rest of the pics are at http://ned.jonx.com/pics

there are some "before" ones with the rollcage in and before i cleaned it up, and some large "after" ones.

[SlowToady]

Congratulations! You're going to love your car. I know I sure love mine. Treat her right, and don't skimp on maintence. Porsche's don't make for cheap mistresses, but they're worth the money.

I haven't done motor mounts yet (but I probably will..) but I just did the T-belt and such today, and I've had more trouble getting my pants on in the morning. I know, I know..but really, it's NOT that bad. Porsche says 6 hours, but I doubt it...we were under that (or well, ok, WOULD have been, but I forgot a part(!)). If you're patient and fairly competent with a box wrench and ratchet, you can get away with doing it yourself.

Congratulations.

[Don 944 LA]

Originally posted by FR Wilk
Are you parked with your wheels turned or is your steering wheel upside down?

Good Eye !!!!

[Eli K]

Wheel turned.

[ilikemy944]

edward - how do you have late wheels filling those fenders?

[ernestedward]

I'm not exactly sure...PO completely revamped the car with S2 engine and tranny, new suspension and brakes..I believe at least the brakes are off the 968, and it's got a late turbo body kit..does that answer your question? I've been trying to get in touch with him to get as complete a history of the car as I can..at least I know that he bought it new in 1983 and has taken good care of it since.

Siberian - why is your temp/gas gauge rotated? Or are my eyes deceiving me?

[Eli K]

Nope it's not your yes...they're both at a pretty good angle. Haven't taken the time to open up the dash and find out why. A good thing is they work!!!

[Nabeel]

Welcome, and that is a fantastic looking 944 you got! I see you post over on AWOT sometimes also. I lurk there, very rarely post though. Hope you enjoy it here!