Observations / 2 quick questions

[HiFiGuy66]

Hey Everybody,

I spent some time with my "new" 944 over the weekend. Came up with some interesting observations:

1. Car has aftermarket 4 into 1 header with a test pipe.

2. I'm fairly certain the car will need a clutch. Mechanic can't take it in until Wednesday, and the clutch doesn't slip, but I can't think of another expanation for the noise while letting the cluch out.

3. Car has one of those metal "quick drain" attachments on the oil pan. Nice.

4. Everything I have seen online says the crankcase holds 5.7 quarts. I went ahead and changed the oil (Mobil 1 15W50 Synthetic) and it took 6.25 quarts to reach full on the dipstick. The pan on my car is finned, supposedly for heat dissapation. Is this a factory 944 pan, aftermarket, or maybe a 951 fan? Just curious.

5. It has a bad bushing on the sway bar. I realize these should be replaced in pairs. Any recommendations as to what to buy?

Thanks everyone for the help so far. I hope one day to be versed well enough in 944s to help someone else.

[SoCal Driver]

Accelerate = clang. Decelerate = clang. Bad clutch disk specifically the rubber center has seperated. Your seller knew this. This makes him scum. Take it easy on the clutch as the metal to metal safety ears will soon wear off then no clutch. No connection between the engine and the trans.

Bad swaybar bushing is on the passenger side = power steering leak and/or oil leak from around the oil pressure sender area.

"Quick Drain" when you don't want it to. Could be that the oil drain plug had to be drilled out when it would not unscrew.

If Florida requires a CAT say good by test pipe. Was this disclosed on the eBay sale?

[HiFiGuy66]

Hey SoCal Driver,

No CAT not disclosed on EBAY Auction. Florida has no emmissions stuff here, so not a problem. I ran a header with a free flow exhaust on my MGB.

You are the guru! Yup, the bad bushing is on the passenger side. Yup, there is a minor PS fluid leak.

I don't really think the quick release is going to give out. You have to give it a tug and a twist to open it.

I'm taking it really easy on the clutch, and keeping RPM's down. If it needs a clutch, I'll have Dennis do it when I drop it off Wednesday.

Yup, the seller is scum. A shame, the only bad seller I've run across on Ebay. Maybe I've been lucky, but I still think the vast majority of people are honest and fair.

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it) I like the car, so I'm going to deal with it, get it fixed properly, and take good care of it.

Thanks for everything! I really appreciate it.

[CJFusco]

Hmmm test pipe huh? is the muffler stock? How loud is it?

[Razorback1980]

You mention performance exhaust and CJ's mind goes into overdrive! Easy does it now.

The power steering leak is probably just the clamp on the reservoir as that is pretty common for these cars. You are right about the guru part for SoCal. He (and many others here) have forgotten more than I will ever know about the 944 but it's really great to have that kind of help around when you need it. I have really learned to appreciate it as it saves a ton of diagnostic time and I'm sure you will be equally as thankful one day too.

I think after you get past the initial problems you will be glad you have the car. A guy asked me how much I would take for mine over the past weekend and I priced it so high I knew he would walk away but the next day he came over with the cash...I really wished I hadn't priced it at all. There is now a big hole my garage where it used to set and an equally big one in my stomach that it isn't there any longer. I am sure you will be equally attached to yours. Keep us informed as to how it's going.

[HiFiGuy66]

CJ,

The car seems pretty quiet to me, but then again, I don't have a lot of Porsche experience. It's certainly far more quiet than my MGB was, people at home knew when I was rounding the corner down the street with that one.

Razor, after driving my car for a few days, I know why they are so addictive. Who was it that said if I drove it, I'd fix it and keep it? Arrgghh!!!

[SoCal Driver]

I have no doubt in my mind that you will love the car. We all do.

Make a lot of sacrifices to keep them as daily drivers.

Hopefully you can shame the scum into giving back a big chunk of your money. Or sue him in small claims court.

[GostRidr]

Hey Razor, did I read that right? No more 44?!?!

HiFi, I've had mine for over two years and she has never been completely and reliably functional. Yet all I can think about is how fun she is when she gets going!

Best of luck,

peter

[Razorback1980]

It's a sad story really. I bought mine new in 86 and I have had it forever. It had 288,000 miles on it and the guy kept bugging me for a price so I told him 7500. There was no way the car was worth that and I showed him several examples where he could buy them in the 4000 dollar range. The next day he showed up with the cash. WHAT WAS I THINKING? So yeah, I sold the 86 and now I only have the 87. I bought the 87 back in November and I'm putting it back to as close to new as possible for my daughter who turns 16 in October. I'm not sure what I'm going to do now, but I'm thinking I'm going to look for a lower mileage S2 and start over with all the maintenance as soon as I get the 87 restored and ready for the road. So, I guess I can drive it occasionally to get my Porsche fix but it's an automatic and just isn't the same. It'll be better when I pick up an S2. Thanks for asking Peter....hey, think I could come out there and drive yours occasionally?

[livewirevoodoo]

Wow Razor... Yours and btsave's 944... Both selling @ the 7.5k mark.

It's nice to see well maintained examples of these vehicles able to command a good price.

Maybe this is an uptick on the market value? I recall hearing the prices from the latest Excellence show sales price increasing.

[Razorback1980]

I'm feeling really guilty because I know that car wasn't worth that. Inside I want to go give him about 2500 back. Yeah, the car got everything it ever needed, but it had so many miles on it that it can't be worth it. I was just trying to price it so high that he would go away. I had no intention of really selling the car. What do y'all think, should I give him some of it back? That's entirely too much for a NA car with that mileage. Turbo maybe but not an NA. I hope he hasn't joined this and is reading these posts...he'll be knocking on my door for sure!

[Eldorado]

go find yourself a 951, and i guarantee that ache in your stomach will be replaced with some g-forces and butterflies

[Razorback1980]

You give good advice Eldorado. You must be a professional therapist or something.....at least you should be. A little G-force can cure anything.

[stexch]

Razorback: You shouldn't feel guilty that he paid your asking price. You went above and beyond your obligation to educate him as to fair market value, and he clearly felt that your car was worth a premium. Take your sales proceeds and find a replacement that you like!