Introduction

[1st84-944]

=\ Hrm. No intro threads or anything. Anyways, new guy here. I managed to get me a 1984 944 in decent condition with just over 85k on the engine for 500 dollars. She doesn't run but she is right on the verge of starting. The battery doesn't seem to want to hold a charge which tells me that the alternator and/or the starter is bad. I also question the plugs and injectors because she has sat for about 3 years till now. So first tasking is a battery and a jump to so we can diagnose her.

I have plans on doing a full factory restoration and have already been flooded with information from the internet. It's gonna be a long haul but I'm confident. 'Couldn't find a method to upload pics onto this server (maybe it doesn't exist in this forum), but if any of ya'll wanna take a gander and throw in your .02 it would be appreciated.

http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a372/Thewhtnight/Porsche/

[earlr85944]

nice find!
just my 2cents, get her running and driving and see what u got. unless its absolutely the car you are looking for a full factory restoration is expensive and maybe you can get her running turn a profit and find a cleaner candidate to start with.

[Tidybuoy]

Welcome to the board.

There's a wealth of information here and I have fixed virtually every problem on my car based on the input from the guys on this board.

A couple of thoughts:
1) uploading pictures is easy (but this server can be querky). If you are the starter of a new post, you will see "upload photos" at the bottom, and you just browse your hard drive for your photos. If you are replying to a message, you won't see the "upload photos" button unless you Replied using "post reply" vs using "quick reply" - it's a little confusing but very simple once you get famalir with it.

2) Clarks Garage is a great maintenance website - it has directions to fix almost everything http://www.clarks-garage.com/

3) Timing Belt! This is criticle on 944's as the engine is what's referred to as an interference engine - that means that if the belt breaks, so do valves & pistons. Unlike a low compression Honda, if that belt breaks the engine just stops, but with the 944 high compression engine, timing is criticle as there is no room in the combustion chamber.

You stated that your car has been sitting for a few years. Unfortunately, that means you need a new timing belt. They are supposed to be changed every 30k miles or every couple of years. This is not a job for the inexperienced as it requires a specialized tensioning tool - read up in this & it should be a priority. It can be changed by the home mechanic but read up first - the tensioning of this belt is criticle. I'm sure there will be others that bring this up.

Anyway, good luck and post some photos...................................Vern

[drew1]

You'll enjoy this forum, glad you're here.

[hpservertech]

One thing I would do is put air in the spare wheel. I't a collapsable wheel, so the way you have it right now, there is not air in it.

[88BlueTSiQuest]

Are you getting any fuel? When these sit long enough, the fuel lines can discharge and the fuel pump doesn't kick on until the engine is actually running. So dry lines will remain dry until the engine starts, catch 22.

There are 2 fuses side by side in the fuse box that can be shorted together for a few seconds to cycle the fuel pump, I just don't remember the numbers of said fuses.

I found it originally from a post by Socal. Either search, or look at the labels of the fuse box(it might be self explanatory).

Sorry, I'd search for you, but I got dinner to eat Good luck!

[jcommin]

All good suggestions here. I would stress you estimate costs for your full resortation. Unless you plan on keeping this, I would do what is necessary and find something cleaner. The costs are large, very large.

[ERAU944]

Welcome!

you've got yourself a fixer-upper there, that's for sure. looks like the odo might be inaccurate as well, since the trip is at 0 - usually an indication the little gear has slipped on the shaft inside the gauge.

you've got a long road ahead of you, i hope you're in for it! if you need any help with parts, let me know because i have a bunch of misc. stuff from early cars (83-84).

congrats!

Mike

p.s. put some air in that spare, it's collapsible so it comew with no air in it - it needs to be filled!

[CJFusco]

Welcome to the board.

It is ALWAYS worth it to find the best possible Porsche that you can afford - buying a project car very rarely ends up being a worthwhile investment, unless it has sentimental value, of course.

[1st84-944]

Great response! I didn't even get that much on other forums I use. Awesome.

Now, here's a better layout of whats going on.
Spare tire- it has a full size that decided to go flat. Transported it with the full size, and when I parked it I put the spare on so I don't destroy the rim. I didn't know they could be inflated, will take care of that.

Just picked up a battery for it, so we'll see where that gets us with turning it over and diagnosing the vehicle.

About the restoration. I'm not gonna lie. I am a shadetree mechanic. I haven't torn an engine down. I've had the bug a LONG time. And for a long time I've had a laundry list of reasons that I should not/could not do a hobby car. Opportunity ***** slapped me in the face and I jumped on it. Very foolish, yes. But in my personal life I feel that it's about time I do something I've really wanted.

ERAU944- you spoke about the trip odo. Well, I need to ask the guy, but I've got the sneaking suspicion that this guy (a 17 year old who believes he knows everything) prolly played with it and reset the trip. Will investigate though.

Please keep up the comments and constructive criticiszm. As time goes I might open a 'progress' thread, or use one if there is one already here.

Thanks for the great reception!

[ERAU944]

it's possible, at this point the ODO accuracy is the least of your worries... these engines are fairly bulletproof, HOWEVER their achilles heel as mentioned before is the timing belt.

to properly begin 'treating' this car for its neglect, you should begin a course of water pump, timing belt, and belt roller replacement. STAT.

of course, that would be futile if you can't get it running, but what 'good' is a running engine, with a few bent valves? probably about -$3000 or so worth of 'good'...

before you do much to the car, make sure you read plenty on what the car will need to function properly (and this of course will be determined by what you find in the car that has been hacked into, and/or improperly replaced or repaired). looking at that wiring mess under the dashboard, i'm willing to wager this car will need a LOT of TLC and patience, as well as the appropriate wiring diagrams.

all in all, not bad for $500. you could easily make that back selling the pieces off. however, i suspect you want a functional car (or reasonable facsimile). in that case, carefully choose your first battles. the parts for water pump and belt/roller replacement will be a few hundred dollars. so, by the time you have that done you will come close to doubling your investment in the car, and that won't even guarantee that it runs. after that safety net is in place, comes the troubleshooting. it could be something very simple. these cars have quite a few 'little things' that can cause the engine not to run. after you get a battery for the car, we can help you determine if it's any of the little things. shoot, even after you get the belt/pump/rollers done you could probably still get your money back out of the car even if you don't find the cause of the non-running condition. you'd probably have to put a little elbow grease into it though, and remove a little engine-grease.

ok, i'm rambling. if you have any further questions, you've come to the right place!

[Razorback1980]

Yeah, this has to be the best forum on the net. I have received a lot of help with my cars over the years.

Here is a link with a lot of info about the 944...check it out.
http://www.connactivity.com/~kgross/FAQ/944faq.html

Pay close attention to what Tidybuoy had to say as the timing belts are critical and clarks is invaluable.

I'm sure the odo gear is loose as Mike explained. He is another one to listen to...he knows these cars pretty well.

Good luck with the new toy and welcome to the community here.

[hpservertech]

I would focus your efforts on the mechanical side to start with. Get the car up and running before you start to tackle the interior and other things. You can drive the car with ripped seats, but it doesn't do you any good to get them restored if the car sits in the garage.

This is by far the best forum. No BS and everyone is always willing to lend a hand. Wrenching parties are great too, just remember to provide the beer & food. lol

Welcome to the forum.

[1st84-944]

Again, thank you all for your input. Here's a small update as to what it is and what will be happening.

I've learned alot about what I have in the past few days. For example:

One can of Fix-a-flat does not fully inflate a donut that has weight on it. The fix-a-flat is intended to be a temporary fix for the donut and/or fullsize tire being that I am trying to avoid unnecissary expenditures right now.

A small tree branch is not suitable for propping the hood open while attempting to turn the engine over. Though it be small, I need to consider some actuators or a broom handle while working on this engine.

The good news! I got her to fire... sort of. I checked my plugs and they were black. Not oil, but powder. If I remember correctly thats just carbon (I need to check my haynes) but more importantly that tells me that at the moment theres nothing huge going on, like coolant in the oil or anything. Put some either into the pistons at the same time and turned her over. She barked and coughed. That tells me that the plugs still have fire in them. So now I do need to look at the injectors and consider shorting the pump to see if we can get something in the way of life in her.

In reguards to the title, I'm going to start a new thread over the life of this project. After all, this is an intro thread... not a project thread. More of my opinions and plans will be detailed there.

[CJFusco]

Originally Posted by 1st84-944

Great response! I didn't even get that much on other forums I use. Awesome.

Yup, this forum is great. My other car is a Volvo; when I've had problems with that car, post on 3 different Volvo forums. I've gotten 10 responses on Pelican ABOUT MY VOLVO before I even get one on the other 3 forums.