Need your advise with my 1988 944 n/a - Page 2

joemama · 12-02-2008, 07:05 PM

Going the used engine route on my car. Today I "sold" the bad block currently in my car for $500. I plan on using that "cash" towards the removal of the "bad engine" I've found a few '88 engines and a few other "fun engines" along the way

including a sweet S2 3.0 liter.

I might go with an '89 2.7 liter with the harness and brain box or I might stick with the '88, drop that in and call it good. It all depends on if I can swing a good deal for the 89 complete engine. Right now they are over $2K (no core) The records say it had just over 100K on it. The engine started right up, the compression test was 200 across the board and the leak down was solid. I found an 1988 for under $1,000 with 84K but the place is not Porsche experts. I think I was talking over his head when I called the place that has the engine and I'm not an expert.

In the end I didn't want to throw 1,000's of dollars at this problem only to have it come back and be in the exact same spot again in June or July.

It might be the stupid persons route but at least I'm moving in one direction now.

thekidd · 12-02-2008, 07:10 PM

did they resurface the head while doing the head gasket job?

joemama · 12-02-2008, 07:35 PM

thekidd

When I bought the car it had just had the head gasket service done. The original shop sent the head out to be milled. So yes, they did resurface the head, but not for a second time.

Why do you ask?

thekidd · 12-02-2008, 07:51 PM

I didnt read all the posts, so not up to date with the situation. But if the car has ever over heated, hopefully not, the head will warp just a little bit. You can do all the head gasket jobs in the world and still have coolant leak in the engine cylinders and other places where it should not be.

HondaDustR · 12-02-2008, 08:10 PM

Did those '88 pistons get sold with the block, by any chance?

joemama · 12-02-2008, 09:28 PM

No. I made sure I was able to keep the pistons.

John_AZ · 12-03-2008, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joemama

It might be the stupid persons route but at least I'm moving in one direction now.

Joe,
Thanks for the update and cartoon

HondaDustR,
The "green" color of the coolant might be a sign that it is not the official "non-phosphate" coolant required in our cars. A couple of years ago when I changed my antifreeze to the Prestone non-phosphate it has/had a brownish/orange color.

It is now time to change again and it seems every brand can be used in ALL engines? The only change is the current "long lasting"-5 year or so brand. I will have to do more searching before I decide next summer.

John_AZ

Zero10 · 12-03-2008, 06:54 AM

The white residue on the outside of the cylinders shows it was not filled with phosphate free anti-freeze at one time. That said, nearly all antifreeze now is phosphate free, even most of the green stuff.
I just use prestone yellow, because it is available just about everywhere and its cheap (and phosphate free).

Mask of Destiny · 12-03-2008, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John_AZ

The "green" color of the coolant might be a sign that it is not the official "non-phosphate" coolant required in our cars. A couple of years ago when I changed my antifreeze to the Prestone non-phosphate it has/had a brownish/orange color.

Prestone makes two types of phosphate free anti-freeze. One is called Dex-Cool Extended Life and is a reddish color. The other is just called Extended Life and is a green color. Both will say "phosphate free" somewhere on the label.

HondaDustR · 12-03-2008, 12:23 PM

IIRC, the prestone Dex-cool also indicated it was silicate free as well.

John_AZ, when you say non-phosphate coolant that's a brownish/ orange color, do you mean the Dex-cool, or was there yet another type?

John_AZ · 12-03-2008, 04:12 PM

HondaDustR,
I had to look at the last bottle of antifreeze I used.

Yes Prestone Extended Life:

Q. Does Prestone® Antifreeze/Coolant contain phosphates?
A. Some European automobile manufacturers request that a phosphate-free antifreeze be used in their vehicles. This issue is related to the extremely high mineral content of the water in Europe. If you were to mix an antifreeze that contained phosphates with the type of water they have in Europe, it may produce deposits that can settle in the cooling system and promote corrosion. However, in North America we do not have this type of water problem. Typical North American coolants have contained phosphates (which is part of the corrosion inhibitor package) for many years. Therefore, the question of phosphates is a non-issue here in North America. Prestone® Antifreeze/Coolant is completely safe for use in both foreign and domestic vehicles.

For those consumers who would feel more comfortable using a phosphate-free antifreeze, our Prestone® Extended Life 5/150 Antifreeze/Coolant is phosphate, silicate, and borate free. This coolant uses a special chemistry and technology that extends the life of the corrosion inhibitor package so that it lasts for five years or 150,000 miles (whichever comes first), and is safe for all cars and light trucks (old or new). Prestone® Extended Life 5/150 Antifreeze/Coolant has been approved by General Motors under their DEX-COOL® specifications and is compatible with other DEX-COOL® approved coolants.

Information overload...

John_AZ

Diceman · 08-29-2012, 03:05 PM

It was nice to find this thread. I am the new (and final?) owner of this car. The threads here really pieced together some of the puzzles I hadn't figured out going through the maintenance records. Great car. Bill - thanks for getting her back in good shape!

VirginiaF1 · VirginiaF1's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diceman

It was nice to find this thread. I am the new (and final?) owner of this car. The threads here really pieced together some of the puzzles I hadn't figured out going through the maintenance records. Great car. Bill - thanks for getting her back in good shape!

Awesome research.. go '88's!

Diceman · 07:05 AM

Woot! Haha. I was very happy to find Joe's posts. I got lucky, searching his full name and "Porsche 944" in Google. A photo of *my* car came up, with "(full name) Porsche 944" under it. Right to this thread. Which was scary at first... but it appears that all of the work has been completed.

I do wonder if Joe had nailed down where my oil leak was coming from... cam cover seals I think, was referenced in some of his old maintenance records that I now have...

The owner between the two of us replaced the AC compressor. This is damned near a new car! I may have some front end issues to address soon, as I have some uneven tire wear on the front right tire. Joe might have some insight as to that as well...