I may be back in a 944 . .

[p-talk]

So I looked at an '84 944 last night. It only has 75k documented miles, and has been owned by an elderly gentleman who used to take impeccable care of the car (all suspension redone, MAF rebuilt, hoses, wires, mounts, exhaust, timing belt and front seals, you name it). But it has sat for two years under a cover, and now he's looking for a loving home for the car.

So right off, from age and sitting, it needs the tank drained and the timing belt replaced. On a "normal car" I'd do the belt myself, but we all know how much of a pain the timing/balance belt job is on a 944. So I'm torn, as the front service can run $1200 or so at a good shop.

Excuse my rambling, I'm just thinking out loud. Any advice? Should I just plunk down the $1200+ to have the front service done, or should I dive in and try the front service myself? Is there a place I can rent the special belt adjustment tools from?

Thanks for listening to my rambling - I'm just excited to be looking at 944s again .

[Zero10]

"normal car"?.... Timing belts are not a complicated thing on 944's. I say do it yourself, but I also say if you don't want to do it, then you really shouldn't.

If you have it done make sure they change the water pump, all oil seals and all rollers unless the water pump has been done in the last 5 years or so, then it can be skipped. Some members on this board have loaned out the 9201 in the past, I have no idea if anybody still does it. Arnnworx is a good place to get timing belt tools from as well.

[msc247]

You ask one of the most frequent questions on this board. I feel that there is a cost to time ratio that needs to thought of, First how much do you want to invest in this car ( tools, time, money). Second what is the initial cost of the car and how much work you are going to do or have to pay someone. The reason I state this is because I purchased a 84' 944 for 1300 bills, that had a overheating problem. After removing the W/P you will find a lot of items that you should replace "while you are in there". For me e.g. all the belts, front seals, heater valve, vacuum lines, various gaskets.

[p-talk]

Thanks for all the advice. I did buy the car, and had the full front engine service done. It wasn't cheap, but was worth it for peace of mind. I also had the tank flushed, the fuel system cleaned out, and a new fuel pump, filter and lines put it. It now runs GREAT.

I took it to emissions testing last night, and it passed everything except the gas cap. I hate to toss the stock lockable cap, is there a reseal kit for the Porsche caps? I looked around here and wasn't able to find anything.

Thanks for all the help!

[Moneyguy1]

Barry....."elderly?"

That hurts......

[kdjones2000]

Why not get a new cap from the dealer? They can move the lock cylinder to your new cap. Been there, done that....

[p-talk]

Crap! My bad - how about "twenty year old trapped in a . . "

Did you get my message BTW? She's running great!

Originally Posted by Moneyguy1

Barry....."elderly?"

That hurts......

[zedsn]

Hi, just buy a brand new non lockable cap for like 5 dollars and after you pass the test just put your lockable one back on. I did this in my truck and keep the new one in the glove box for the next time you take the emissions test you can just take the old lockable one out and put the new one in temporarily.

[fast924S]

Dude if you get a 944, You soooooo have to change your screen name

[p-talk]

Yeah, I guess it's now a bit misleading eh? I'm assuming '944' or '944NA' is taken .

Originally Posted by fast924S

Dude if you get a 944, You soooooo have to change your screen name

[Moneyguy1]

Hey..just use "Silver44"