Just Bought My First 944! Here's my short-list! =)

[phoenix_iii]

*This thread has been replaced with this thread. *

As I was getting in it to leave after buying I get a nice 'pop'. Outside door handle is now disconnected! Oh noes! Passenger side is *really* stiff too, probably about to break like the Driver side. After searching, I hope I ordered the right part!

944-537-261-02-M100

Got the Passenger side too, and the inner and outer door seals to prevent and water seapage/winter freezing, I hope.

Next, the drivers side mirror, power, works, but has no spring what-so-ever, and just kind of flops in place, can be lifted up/almost off the mount.

So I ordered the little spring, tube, adjustment washers, and a new seal for that side.

New Front hood struts. New rear hatch struts.

Only thing it needs now was some interior trim (visor supports both broken inside? $6.25 each), a good cleaning...

I'm at work so my apologies for the scatter-brained post

This weekend =
Transmission fluid (royal purple of some sort, will look into it)
Coolant was getting low, but looked good, resevoir was not swelled

Oh yes, also the temp gauge does not register all the time, and 'tapping' on the gauge didn't help... need to look at the sensor/sender. Will search for common issues. Will post pics soon. 85.5 Charcoal grey with very good black leather interior. =)

[exitwound]

"Pics! Pics! Pics!" they chanted.

[phoenix_iii]

Absolutely, once I get her cleaned up.


Still trying to decide if I want to go with low end KYB GR2, or then Bilstein, or Koni ($)

[John_AZ]

From the ashes the Phoenix (bird) will rise! Welcome, so far you have everyone scared to ask with all of the small bits breaking-When were the BELTS last changed?????????? This is the mantra of the forum---OOOMMMMM.
I prefer Boge/Sachs OEM shocks. KYB are ok for the early 924 or 914, but a little weak for the 924S or 944 IMO.
If you decide to work on your cooling system check the heater control valve for leaks at the pivot. If you fail to correct this leak you will have antifreeze fluid leak on top or the bell housing/clutch and this is not good.

John_AZ
1988 924S to Show
1987 924S to Go
1998 Cherokee to Tow

[phoenix_iii]

Car has 91,600 on it. Belt last done at 86k, no paperwork though, previous owner stated. Oil was good. Gas was old.

Can you tell me more about that leak? I will try to search. Haynes manual should arrive soon... =)

Boge is oem? Good to know. Does Pelican have them? I didn't see them, I'll have to look again.

I think belt could use a retension/check out, but I know Porsche will say replace it. is 30k replacement and 15k retensions the Pelican mantra or the OEM recommendation?

[John_AZ]

Belts-many opinions. Pelican belt cost is $10.75. If belt breaks estimated cost between $1000 to $1500 if owner does ALL the work (based on 3 or 4 bent valves). New belt has to be retensioned after 1000 to 1500 miles. Replacement probably is 30K. Never looked it up. I use the calendar method. Replace every 2 years.
Get a flashlight and look carefully at heater control valve. Does it have a crusty white deposit or maybe wet. Replace it-$20 Pelican, short hose to block $8. This is really a secondary step to the more important item=BELTS.
Pelican has Boge/Sachs and all others.
With no receipts and having been told the gas is old, you should replace fuel filter and run some premium injector cleaner in half tank of gas.
Bookmark Clarks Garage and read all tech tips on top of this page.

John_AZ

[DMRK]

Congrats & welcome, you've come to the right place.
I vote to do the belts because it could have been done 5 years ago.

[phoenix_iii]

Does Porsche maintenance dictate 30k for belts? Also, how much is it usually to pay to have this done?

I will investigate the described parts when I go retrieve the car on Saturday.

Will look at struts again tomorrow. =)

[HondaDustR]

Go with the Bilstein strut inserts/shocks. They're awesome for the money, and are not very much more $$ than OEM Boge or Sachs parts, and they have a lifetime waranty.

Does Porsche maintenance dictate 30k for belts? Also, how much is it usually to pay to have this done?

It's 2 years or 30K, whichever comes first, or right now if either of those figures are unknown.

It's really pretty easy to do yourself (and a heck of alot cheaper). The only tricky part is tensioning them properly. The factory tool is prohibitively expensive, but a trained feel can get it good enough to be reliable. Some people might lend one out..a very good idea for the first time to get an idea of what the right tension feels like.

[Eldorado]

1000 bucks if you do all the work yourself is a really high estimate i think.

[phoenix_iii]

Originally Posted by Eldorado

1000 bucks if you do all the work yourself is a really high estimate i think.

Umm... Yeah... Where did that # comes from? I would think MAX would be $400 in parts, and borrow/rent the special tension tool...

My first Pelican Order


Shipped 171-837-211A-M5058 Outer Door Handle Seal, 944 All, Rear
2 $2.00
$4.00

Shipped 867-837-209-M5058 Outer Door Handle Seal, 944 All, Front
2 $2.50
$5.00

Shipped 944-511-351-01-M24 Front Hood Shock, 924S/944 All
Brand: Stabilus
2 $16.00
$32.00

Shipped 944-537-261-02-M100 Door Lock Linkage, Left Side, 924S, 944 from 2/85, 944S/S2/Turbo, 968, Each
Brand: Genuine Porsche
1 $21.00
$21.00

Shipped 944-537-262-02-M100 Door Lock Linkage, Right Side, 924S, 944 from 2/85, 944S/S2/Turbo, 968, Each
Brand: Genuine Porsche
1 $21.25
$21.25

Shipped 944-731-439-00-M100 Sun Visor Bracket, 944 2/85 on, 944S/S2/Turbo, 968
2 $6.25
$12.50

(In Process) OEM-91173102901 MIRROR SPRING
1 $3.45
$3.45

(In Process) OEM-91173125702 MIRROR GUIDE TUBE
1 $12.27
$12.27

(In Process) OEM-91173134502 MIRROR ADJ.WASHER
1 $1.00
$1.00

(In Process) OEM-91173134700 MIRROR ADJ.WASHER
1 $1.23
$1.23

(In Process) OEM-94473114300 EXTERIOR MIRROR TRIM
1 $2.30
$2.30

Subtotal: $116.00

=) First of Many

[livewirevoodoo]

R&R'ing a timing belt break will vary in price. Parts cost me a bit over $500 (used head, new front oil seals, headgasket/exhaust/intake gaskets, belts n rollers...). I "caught a break" with the mechanic, he only charged $700 in labor. :/

[phoenix_iii]

Oh no, I'll take care of it before it snaps if I can.

There does not seem to be a 944 New Owner FAQ.

What parts do I need for T-Belt?

T-Belt - Gator okay? Different brands better? Longer life?
Water Pump?
Tensioner? Pully?

Looks like Porsche Charges 2.8hrs for a T-belt... $300 at $100 an hour isn't terrible... right? Water Pump looks like 7hrs though, why is that??

p3

[John_AZ]

Eldorado, I think that the Loonie is on par with the dollar and this favorable exchange rate may help the Canadians. I agree that an experienced owner-mechanic like yourself can cut the costs to less than $1000. Let me explain how I arrived at my estimate.
1. Towing costs unless your insurance covers
2. Head gaskets and while your are there stuff-you know what I mean
3. Machine shop and 3 or 4 valves $400 to $500. OR you could get a rebuilt
head for $500+- on the internet (shipping included)
4. You can reuse the head washers if you scuff them but you need to buy the
nuts. $2.75 x 10 = $27.50. Maybe cam tower bolts?
5. You will break something else like the oil pressure sender $35.00. TIP be
careful, the connectors are hollow and break easily.
6. Fluids, filters, hoses, belts, gas, always a new tool, postage-grief and anxiety

Base price $1000-without piston damage. Car running PRICELESS.

John_AZ

[phoenix_iii]

Clarks-Garage, found the links to all the things, no wonder people love that site!

"On 944s, the timing belt and balance shaft belt should be changed at 45,000 miles. For 968s, they should be changed at 60,000 miles. For both the 944 and 968, the belt condition and tension should be checked every 15000 miles. The 15,000 mile inspection interval assumes that the car has bee driven on a regular basis. If your timing belt is two years old and you have not reached the 15000 mile inspection interval, the timing belt tension and condition should be checked then and once per year after that."

[Britwrench]

That belt change recommendation is from Porsche......not the real world

Most people change at around 30,000 - 36,000

[bleu951]

So...what year is your 944? Here is a parts list for the 85.5 - 86 models.

944 8 VALVE FRONT ENGINE SEALS, BELTS & WATER PUMP PARTS LIST
From engine # 43F 06995 (1985) thru 1986 8 valve engines

Camshaft

1 each O-ring 999.701.602.40
1 each Woodruff key (optional) 900.117.045.00
1 each O-ring (onion skin) 944.105.321.00
1 each Spacer 928.105.139.04
1 each Seal 999.113.349.40
1 each Bolt (optional) 999.510.022.08
1 each Toothed roller 944.105.027.04
1 each Stud 944.102.216.01
1 each Flanged Nut 944.102.243.00
1 each Locknut N .022.149.0
1 each Washer N .011.527.12
1 each 7 mm Spacer (you can shim with washers) 944.107.911.01
1 each Smooth roller (for updated pump) 944.105.241.03
1 each Rubber seal 928.105.184.00
1 each Belt 944.105.157.04

Crankshaft

1 each Seal 999.113.331.50
1 each Sleeve (oil pump drive) 944.107.161.02
1 each O-ring 999.707.283.40
1 each Woodruff key (optional) 900.117.036.00

Balance shafts

1 each Seal (upper, cw rotation) 999.113.282.40
1 each Seal (lower, ccw rotation) 999.113.281.40
2 each Spacer 928.105.139.02
2 each O-ring (same as cam) 944.105.321.00
2 each O-ring 999.701.652.40
2 each Woodruff keys (optional) N 012.708.2
1 each Toothed roller 944.102.025.07
1 each Smooth roller 944.102.277.06
2 each Locknuts N .022.149.0
2 each Washers N .011.527.12
1 each Belt 944.102.219.02

Water pump

1 each Water Pump 951.106.021.10
1 each Water Pump Gasket 944.106.132.04
1 each Block off plate (NA only) 944.106.313.00
1 each O-ring 999.707.283.40
2 each Bolt 6 x 20mm (optional) N .014.704.1
2 each Washer (optional) N .011.524.7
1 each Thermostat 944.106.019.00
1 each Support Washer 900.234.160.00
1 each T-stat O-ring 944.106.929.08 or
944.106.929.05
1 each T-stat snap ring (can be reused) 900.042.025.01

The two items below are only required if the car has never been updated or the parts are damaged or missing
1 each Guard rail (for updated pump) 944.105.210.01
2 each Lock nuts (for guard rail) 999.084.092.02

Notes:
1. Spacers and oil pump sleeve should be replaced if they have wear grooves, or burrs which could damage a new seal. Use some fine
grade scotch brite to clean up the old ones, but replace them if in doubt.
2. The front crank seal is prone to leaking if not installed perfectly. I use an old crank gear and oil pump sleeve that I honed the center
bore of to make it easy to slide on and off the crank, and use these two as pressing tools along with the crank bolt to press the seal
in squarely until flush with the oil pump face.
3. The balance shaft front housings must be removed to properly reseal them.
4. Oil seals and o–rings must be thoroughly lubricated before installation.
5. For coolant, use a phosphate and silicate free coolant mixed with distilled water. Zerex extreme extended life is one example. VW,
Toyota, Honda and others have the correct kind, but it is typically pricey.

My personal rule on the belt is 5 years or 30k miles. The belts are cheap and i own "the tool". It has more than paid for itself.

[phoenix_iii]

Keith that's awesome! 85.5 for me!

though does all of that need to be replaced? I'm thinking of just going to Porsche and doing the retension, IIRC the belt was last done 2 years ago/86k. Has 91k on it, but I cannot be CERTAIN. Hopefully there are stickers/notices somewhere, if it was done at Porsche.

[Eldorado]

2 years at least? - replace them.
if you just go for a retension, dont say we didn't warn you

[bleu951]

If the oil seals are not leaking, and the water pump is in good shape, you are looking at belts and a few pieces of hardware. Check the rollers very carefully to be sure they do not spin too freely, or have play/roughness when turning.

The consensus is to replace the belts unless you are certain of their age and mileage. Cheap insurance.