New owner, need some advice

[JESSEGG]

Hello, I'm Jesse from Zephyrhills, FL.

I just purchased a 1986 Porsche 944, in runs very strong, clutch is nice, gearbox seems to be fine. Other then that, 10,000 things wrong with it.

I joined this forum in the hope that I could get some advice on how I can figure this vehicle out. I am very mechanically inclined and see no problem adapting to this vehicle. I did own an 82 911 sc some years back and did alot of work on it, but this vehicle seems much different.

1. How do I get data on this 2.5 L engine and how do I figure out how many valve it is?
2. How many quarts of oil does it take and what is the best oil for it?
3. How do I change the oil? Do I need special tools?
4. Is the oil filter special? Do I need a tool for it
5. Does it run best on high octane gas? (I remember my 911 hated anything else)

Whats the best advice to give this thing a good inspection now that I own it?

I appreciate any advice as I will have alot of questions during this phase of discovery.

Thanks in advance

Jesse

[alan6272]

Welcome Jesse, this is the place to be,as for all the data you can also go to "clarksgarage.com" your ride looks great, I am not up on the 86 944 mine is the 83 first year introduced in the USA. My 2.5 holds just under 6 qts oil I use castroil 20w50 semi synthetic. you will get a ton of answers on what oil to use but as long as you use the correct weight you will be fine. The oil filter takes any small oil filter wrench I can get mine off with a strap type wrench. oil plug is at the bottom of the oil pan straight forward there. My 83 runs just fine on 86 oct. gas look in your fuel door there should be a sticker with that info. Like I said I know my 1983 944 not up on the 86. I will let others chime in here as there are way more people with the later 944 on here.

[FrenchToast]

Welcome!

If it is an '86, you would have an 8-valve 2.5L. All aluminum, btw.

I believe the manual state 87 octane is the minimum fuel rating for the U.S.. It's not what I use, but, whatever.

No tool for the filter, unless it is on really tight in which case you may need a filter wrench to remove it. Never put on a filter with a wrench, only by hand with oil on the seal.

However I wouldn't recommend anything other than the OE brand, IIRC Mahle or Mann.

Unless you are 100% sure when the timing belt was last done, do that that ASAP. Also flush all fluids.

You'll find the 944 engine bay is easier to work in than on the 911. ;-) Unlike your SC, the 944 is a wet sump, not a dry sump. Thus, keeping an eye on the oil level is important.

Also looks as if you have the wrong offset wheels for your car.

Looks terrific for a FL car (no oxidation) !

Take care!

[bell]

Welcome to the board....you aren't to far from Orlando, our shop is in winter park (germanexcellence.com).
there is going to be a big 944 meet/swap meet on April 13th, you should come join us....with our without your car....there's a thread here somewhere here on it.....the initial meet is in winter springs, then a nice drive to the Sanford area for the meet...

[drift a 944]

Welcome Jesse! Looks like you have a great car to start with, and I love 944's in white.

As Brian posted above, we are having a very large 944 cruise/swap meet on April 13th in Orlando. It would be great if you could join us. There is also a group of 944 guys from the Tampa area meeting up to cruise over in a group. This is an annual event so it won't happen again until next year!

Here is the thread... Let us know if you can join! We hope you can make it!
CENTRAL FLORIDA 6th Annual Porsche 944 Rally & Swap Meet! APRIL 13th

[ernie9944]

Welcome Jesse & congrats on your new ride,look nice and seem to be in very good shape.To answer some of your questions the rigth oil filer for your car will be the Mahle OC-42 #944-107-201-08-M67 available here from Pelican (New Part Catalog).Oil like mention should be 20W50 for your part of the wood.Do not switch from Dino to Synthetic or Synthetic to Dino keep running the same oil you have in it now.For the inspection find a shop or mechanic which is familiar with the 944s or like mention use Clark's Garage Home Page once on site enter "Garage Shop Manual" & scroll down to any inspection/maintenance you need to do.At this stage you migth as well drop the tranny/diff oil if not sure when it was last done.If needed you can use an all Synthetic 70W90 GL4 such as Red Line.Removing the oil filter can be an hassle due to it's location,over the years I found out that there is only one toll to do the job properly without skinning the hell out of your hands,it's a cheap investment & lol will save you time & pain.See pics.Disconnect the coil wire & set it aside to give you more room.Have fun

[ernie9944]

[QUOTE=ernie9944;733170.At this stage you migth as well drop the tranny/diff oil if not sure when it was last done.If needed you can use an all Synthetic 70W90 GL4 such as Red Line.
OOPS!!!:Goof about the oil density in the tranny/diff it should be 75W90 GL4 not 70W90

[Gawernator]

Looks like you need some side markers How much did you buy it for?

See if you can get an owner's manual and Hayne's manual off here or eBay

[POPS 83 944]

Welcome, soon you will learn the evils of Ernie and his awesome suggestions for upgrades and explaining to the better half that you have to do this or that! It looks cool on this car (of course it will be one of Ernie's cars)
You've been warned. Just kidding Ernie, John ,Gaw, Chicks and all the others on this forum is a great great assets to the 944 and 968 world!!!!

[JESSEGG]

That was awesome advice you guys. Thanks a billion..Great to be here and GREAT to be back in the Porsche family.

Totally appreciate you all,

Jesse

[Trevorlw]

High octain in my 83 944 runs better and longer.
Oil easy
Get a top oil filter removal tool. Makes it easyer to get off.
One drain plug on bottom
I recommend 20-50w
And a small drain bucket for 15 $ can get here on pelican parts or locsl auto store
Easy easy.
Just drain oil first then remove filter. Or you'll have oil all over the place. Lol

[Trevorlw]

Ernie has good advice. So keep to that

[Gawernator]

If you need higher than 87 USA octane in a base 2.5L 8v then you have carbon buildup or other problems

[Trevorlw]

Originally Posted by Gawernator

If you need higher than 87 USA octane in a base 2.5L 8v then you have carbon buildup or other problems

Not Technically, Higher Octain will burn hotter and burn deposits out.
And will Burn better for the motor.
I put nothing but High Octain 91? I believe it is.
Anyways, I just like the fact it gives me better gas millage thats noticable

[Gawernator]

No, octane has nothing to do with combustion temperature it is the grade of the fuel, how much compression the fuel can withstand before premaure detonation. It does not burn better for the motor, just burns dollars out of your wallet. I can put 87, 89, 91 in my 944 with no difference between engine operation,power, or mileage. It's a healthy engine. The only exception, is when I switch on my FRWilk's race chip, I use 89 octane for that. See, with the advanced timing you actually make use of the higher octane. Otherwise I can get pinging and knocking.

As I said, if higher octane is running better you have an issue.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octane_rating

[JESSEGG]

Yes, my 911 choked everytime I put anything in it but 1st class Mobil high test. Whats this FRWilk's race chip all about Gawernator?

[POPS 83 944]

Here is his web site www.frwilk.com -- ©2007 FR Wilk -- Best viewed size 1024x768 just go to the power prom section. The man does very very good work. Can't wait till I get my car on the road and smoged (darn Cali) to put my chipped DME in!!!!

[Gawernator]

Yes. It is worth his modest price. I have a glovebox dual chip switch setup

[wrench1]

Good to hear of another local neighbor getting into the mix of things. I'm just outside of Plant City. Always good to have another member in the fray of things. Post what you know and ask what you don't. None of us have all of the answers but most have some.

1986 was the last of the early wheel offsets if I'm not mistaken, so early offset wheels will fill the wheel well better, less offset in the rim.

The 86 only came with an eight valve head.

I normally run diesel oil in my engines (15w-40). Has a higher percentage of zinc than other oils. But I have run 20w-50 without issue.

Keep with the better oil filters, sold on this site and others. You can find STP filters locally and I have run them in a pinch but I prefer the Mahle's. The proper filter has a one way check valve to hold the oil in the filter for first starts. Oil change is pretty straightforward. As you can see the oil filter is pointer downward, if you spin it loose first thing you got a mess. Place towels around the filter when you pull it, easier to clean up afterwards.

Do you have power steering? Look at the anti-sway bar rubber bushing on the passenger side. Any oil spilled during the oil change and/or a leaking power steering pump will damage the rubber bushing for the anti-sway bar. Always clean this area after working. Otherwise the bushing will begin to swell and deteriorate.

I normally run regular gas (87), no problems yet.

Do you know the last time the timing and balance shaft belts were changed? These engines are referred to as interference fit. Valve/piston timing is critical and if you snap a timing belt it's an instant $700 for the headwork, valve replacements guides, and related gaskets, that’s with you doing all the work. The rubber in the timing belt does not hold up to well to the heat and breaks down over a short time span. Life expectancy of the timing belt is normally two to three years, $18 to $25 for a stock belt and $125 for Kevlar. There is a lot of expansion in these engines with the block and head being aluminum.

Think about coming to the Rally in Orlando on April 13th. Meet fellow 944 owners, have some questions answered and drool over someone’s car. Just wipe your lip.

[Gawernator]

JESSEGG, I have this chip 944 Dual Chip 85.5/89 with stock and full race, 7k Rev limiter