Low mile 944

dillweed · 10-07-2014, 10:26 AM

I am looking @ a very low mile 1984 944 w/ 15000 miles, Looks like the records show up to date maintainance thru 2013. No leaks, drives well, have concerns about the rubber centered clutch disc, should I replace it or go with condition based on inspection hole which I havent done yet? No records for any timing belt replacement & associated items. Should I look @ replacing timing/balancing belts & rollers etc., or with the low mileage only replace the belts. I was thinking the rollers, tensioner and water pump cant be that bad w/ such low mileage. Seller says car was driven approx 500 mi. this summer.

v2rocket_aka944 · 10-07-2014, 10:45 AM

do the belts/waterpump right away, check the clutch condition and id just run it til the clutch breaks.

Tom944 · Tom944's Garage

When I purchased my '87 with 30,000 a couple of years ago I just had the belts replaced. One day the clutch will go I am sure. Check the AC I had to replace the compressor since the shaft seal had dried out. Not too bad as a DIY.

jhowell371 · jhowell371's Garage

When I purchased my 84 with 22,000 miles in 2010 it still had the original timing belt too!!!!!! Changed it right away along with balance belts, rollers and replaced the water pump and all fluids and filters. All coolant hoses were also changed then. One brake caliper and the clutch slave cylinder both started to leak in short order and were also replaced As to the clutch, my 84 leads an easy life, just driven to a show or 2 a year and a couple of nice spring and fall Sundays so I don't worry about the clutch much. Since I don't flog it (the S2 I flog hard and yes it has been replaced

much it hasn't shed any rubber chunks yet. I think most clutch center failures are caused by pulling hole shots and power shifts at high RPM as much as age. If the previous owner was kind to it and you are too it should last a while, just keep in mind that it may need replaced sometime. .

mytrplseven · mytrplseven's Garage

Based on experience, the old rubber seals, especially on the front of the engine, should be replaced while the front is exposed. The car has obviously sat undriven at some point in it's life and that's not good for rubber seals. WYIT (while you're in there) is a motto that should be part of your approach to repairs on this car. What will happen, is that when the first seal starts to leak, the others will be close behind. Sounds like a great find. Send pics.

As for belts, they are recommended to be replaced around 40k miles and or about 5 years. Age is your concern here.

dillweed · 10-07-2014, 08:03 PM

Thanks for the advice , I'll post some pics if I close the deal. Sometimes or should I say most of the time, a low mile un-driven porsche is just waiting to leak from somewhere.

Serversdown · 10-07-2014, 10:24 PM

Did you do a carfax on it? If I remember correctly the early 944s only have 5 digit speedometers, so at 100k it rolls over, meaning the car could have 115,000 on it instead of 15k. I could be wrong though.

However if it still has the original belt, there is pretty much no way it has that high of mileage. But I'd still say it's worth a check!

Also, someone fact check me on the 5 digit odometer.

dillweed · 10-08-2014, 05:08 AM

The early 944, pre 1985.5 did have the 5 digit speedo. Carfax, autocheck mileage checks out, plus condition of auto