new guy with a few questions :)

red944guy · 03-11-2006, 02:18 PM

Hey all, I'm new to this forum but have owned my 944 for about 5 years now. Anyway I have a few questions. I've done searches, but can't seem to get definate answers.

1) My 944 is a 85.5 with ~120K miles. I'm assuming the shocks are shot (does tend to wallow alot) I don't think they are the cartridge shocks, if they are, that would save me some money. is 85.0 the last of the cartridge shock??

2) The Timing belts were changed at ~90K right before I purchased the car, I'm well aware that they need to be changed. There is a kit on ebay for $180 w/shipping (item # 8044022133) This seems like a good deal, is it?? I plan to do the job myself. Also, are the "special" tools really required?

3) The shifter is very vague. I never really noticed it (maybe it has gotten worse, don't know.) I just got it out today (been sitting for about 5 months) and I had just been driving my miata. The shifter in the porsche felt like pudding and not very precise in comparison to the miata. I plan on replacing the tranny fluid tomorrow (I'm thinking royal purple) will this help? Is there something in the linkage that gets worn out that will bring back the shifter feel?

4) this last question is one I've had the whole time I've owned the car. At idle it has (and has since I've owned it) a sort of vibration. It goes away after 2 grand or so, but below that it has a very deep vibration. I'm assuming this is the torque tube and is normal since it hasn't gotten any worse in the 25K miles I've put on it.

Thanks for your time.

fast924S · fast924S's Garage

Hey welcome to the board, dont forget to fill in your location and sig.

2. Sometimes the shifter linkage on to of the tranny can get worn and have play, or the joint up front wears, Might wanna try replaing it with a short throw kit.

3. I didnt look on e-bay for the kit it really depends whats in the kit. You can do the t-belt without special tools, I have done my belt 2 times with no special tools or tensioners, But to be on the safe side you might want to pick up the kriket to help get proper tension on the belts.

4. The vibration you are feeling could be a couple of things. First I would check your motor mounts, they do wear out and can make more vibration. Also when you do your t-belts check the balance shaft timming if that is off it will also cause vibrations. The last thing it could be is if you have a stock clucth the rubber center may have come apart making vibrations.

Good luck and keep us updated

red944guy · 03-11-2006, 02:45 PM

thanks for the reply. The kit includes everything I think. Both belts, all rollers.

Another question I thought of.... I have a power steering leak. It was REALLY bad last fall. It sat all winter, I added some today (it was empty), and it seems to be holding now. Don't know why it stopped leaking but I'm assuming it will come back. I haven't really looked at it yet. I'm hoping it's a hose somewhere. Right off the resevoir there seems to be a fair amount of fluid/dirt so I'm hoping it's there. Is this common? is there something that commonly fails?

Eldorado · 03-11-2006, 03:48 PM

PS leak is fairly common... have a very minor one on my car as well... dont know location, others may be able to help out.

the kit looks great.. pick up a tension tool and you're all set!

Dantilla · 03-11-2006, 03:56 PM

Your car probably needs a new shift lever. They get worn, causing very sloppy shifting. You can buy them here at Pelican.

red944guy · 03-11-2006, 04:16 PM

Thanks for the responses!!

The lever itself is all metal, no? I'm thinking it might be the bushing which is only like $4.

I was also wondering whether or not I should change the water pump while I'm doing the timing belt. The only trouble is that's another $150 that could be spent elsewhere. I don't know when/if it was changed. I'm assuming I should do it. Any input would be good.

Anyone know about the shocks?

Eldorado · 03-11-2006, 04:17 PM

grab the pump and try to wiggle it up and down... if it moves at all, then change it.. if not, you could probably put it off for a little while...
any idea how long it's been since it was replaced?

fast924S · fast924S's Garage

While your therey I would do the pump, I know its another 150 but who wants to do the job twice in a short amount of time

red944guy · 05:05 PM

no clue. I'm thinking about calling the PO, I think I still have his number around somewhere. Anyone know how long theymgenerally last? I'll probably replace it unless the PO says he changed it right before I bought it.

Yet another question. I keep thinking of new ones. I guess that's what happens after you've owned a car for 5 years and finally decide to ask some questions

Anyone know where to get the little clips for the climate control. Mine (of course) broke last year. The only one I've seen is at paragon (which is a good company) but they want nearly $9 to ship a tiny .50 cent metal clip. That just seems ridiculous. I realize they need to make money, but you could literally ship that thing in an envelope with a postage stamp.

Also my clutch has very little feel (ok no feel) I just know where the clutch begins to engage. It's always been like that, but it's pretty annoying. And whenever someone else drives my car they kill it about 80 times before they get a good launch

This is reason 342 why I don't let other people drive my cars

Thanks for all the info guys!! I'm sorry for all the random questions, but I figure it's better this way then to make 7 different threads.

Eldorado · 03-11-2006, 06:32 PM

if it's been 5 years on the water pump... I'd change it... fast is right - what's another $150?

clips for the climate control - I'd post in the classified section of this forum - there's probably a guy out there that will just send them to you for free in an envelope.

as for the clutch... not sure on that one.

Razorback1980 · Razorback1980's Garage

I wrote the guy on ebay and asked him what brand everything was as all parts are not created equal. He wrote me back and said the belts were Contitech and the rollers were INA. He also said that the rollers might not be in INA boxes but they were INA. That made me really suspicious so I didn't buy mine from there. Let me know if you get them and they work out okay as I wanted to buy that kit but it didn't seem logical that someone would buy INA rollers and then put them in different boxes.

As for the water pump, ...it's like the old Clint Eastwood quote..."do you feel lucky". If they only just leaked, it wouldn't be a big deal. You may have to pull the belts back off and change it later, but that's not the end of the world. It's when they have bearing problems and lock up or the shaft wobbles that problems arise. When that happens the repair bill gets pretty expensive. Usually the bearing going out isn't what happens first though. Just remember if it starts leaking coolant to change it immediately and you'll probably be okay....but it is a gamble.

When you are referring to shocks, are you talking about the struts on the front or shocks for the back of the car?

planeguy67 · 03-11-2006, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by red944guy
Anyone know where to get the little clips for the climate control. Mine (of course) broke last year. The only one I've seen is at paragon (which is a good company) but they want nearly $9 to ship a tiny .50 cent metal clip. That just seems ridiculous.

I ordered them from the dealer. It took about a week to get them. The total cost was about $6-7 for 2 sets (the support and the clip).

I created a DIY here with some more info including part#:

http://members.cox.net/kronowit/944_heater_fix.html

tgcattle · 03-12-2006, 06:03 AM

944online.com has the kit which encludes waterpump, belts and rollers

924Sman · 03-12-2006, 06:24 AM

The PS hose that runs from the tank to the pump is notorious for leaking. There is an updated fitting to help but it did not help. If the hose has a american style hose clamp, little slits in the band, these need replaced with flat band such as the one on the AFM j boot. The hose is subject to a ton of heat by way it is near the oil filter, headers. The hose breaks down around the clamps and leaks out at either neck. It is under a bit of pressure, not like the high pressure hose line but enough to make the fluid pass the clamps.

As for as the WP goes a tech said if it does not leak, whine and spins leave it be. It was suggested to change the pump only if those things are present otherwise you are changing a working pump for another so why do it if not needed. Judgement call I guess but I buy the theory.

Dal

red944guy · 03-12-2006, 08:01 AM

hey all, Thanks for the resonses!! Lots of good info.

I'll take a closer look at the PS hose. I tried yesterday, it was full of PS fluid but I wasn't sure if that was just from people spilling it over the years because it appears to be just fine. It's is probably shot though so I'll track one down and replace it.

As for the waterpump, I'll check it out when I get in there to do the belts. If it wiggles AT ALL or appears to have been leaking I'll throw a new one in.

When I was talking about the "shocks" I meant the struts. I know that some (probably not mine) can just accept new cartridges and away you go. I was wondering if that's the case on mine. Are the sachs that great?? they are about 3 times more expensive than gabriel, worth it? (I realize gabriel is not a great brand but...)

As for the clutch... I'll check how worn it is today. I don't think that is causing my "no feel" problem because it has been like that for the entire time I've owned it.

Thanks again