Exhaust question

[Rock]

Maybe this is a Newbie question, but my stepdad said there was a hole in the exhaust and it needed to be welded, and only certain people can weld porsches or something. What the hell is he talking about?

I was gonna buy a new exhaust manifold, dont those just screw on?

[divezic]

A 944 exhaust is no more exotic than any car with a catalytic converter and O2 sensor (every car built after the '80s). Any muffler shop has the skills to fix your exhaust. Problem is not all muffler shops are on the level. I've heard horror stories of nationwide commercial muffler shops ripping people off left and right.

Best way to own a Porsche...
First, get to know the workings of your car intimately. Haynes and Shop manuals are good. Internet is good. The 944 is not a complicated or exotic car like a Ferrari. It is a well engineered automobile using standard automotive practices.
Second, if you have a problem, ask people that have had 944s for a while (this BBS) and I'll guaranty someone has had this problem and fixed it successfully.
Third, develop a friendly and trusting relationship with a local (good) mechanic. If he can't fix it then he will recommend somebody trust-worthy that can.
Fourth, HAVE FUN WITH HER!

[MrPants]

where exactly is the hole?

[Britwrench]

The usual place for 944 steel-tube manifolds to crack is in the vee where cylinder #1 and #4 join. Pull off the manifold (don't break the studs!! and use the proper metal-loc nuts when refitting and new gaskets) Take the manifold to a good welder and have them remove the small cover that is over the join, weld up the crack and then seam-weld the cover back on.
They might need to make up a simple jig to hold the pipes in the right position, depending on how bad the crack is.

[SoCal Driver]

I parted out an 86 that had the steel tube headers on it. I left them on the engine when I put it in the 83. Because of the worn engine mounts (yes, I should have changed them at that time) the stress of the exhuast manifold opened up the small crack that was already there.

How are your engine mounts? Is your exhaust stock or do you have a straight tube where the CAT is?

[carsontc]

Originally posted by MrPants
where exactly is the hole?

I was 15 when i last asked that

[scheistermeiste]

you had to ask?!

[Chris_924s]

Lest we not forget- a very common place for a weld to break is just in front of the cat on the header side... ask a guy who dropped the entire cat- back on the way to Hershey this year!!!

You can weld up a small hole, if it's in the muffler It wont last long. If it's the cat it could be OK unless the membrane is breaking down.. Nothin special - just stay away from Meineke- they screwed my exhaust over in Hershey while I was on the road!!!

[Rock]

im not sure where exactly the hole is, ill have to look. Everything in it is stock, even the exhaust. How do i check to make sure the engine mounts are ok?

[Chris_924s]

Motor mounts.. You would have "excessive" vibration when idling,
specifically in the steering wheel. Motor mounts isolate and transfer vibration from the motor-
IMHO, if you feel the steering wheel vibrate a lot when idling, or at a stop light it's probably about time for motor mounts.

See if you can drive another 944 with better or worse vibration to guage how bad yours may be. Physical inspection of the mount (nbad/ cracking rubber) is a better judge- but that can also be hidden from view.

[SoCal Driver]

Originally posted by Rock
im not sure where exactly the hole is, ill have to look. Everything in it is stock, even the exhaust. How do i check to make sure the engine mounts are ok?

Under the car. Stick your hand flat between the top of the cross member and the oil pan.

If you can just get your finger tips between them then it's engine mount time. At or less than 1/2"

If most of your hand fits then the mounts are ok. About 1" to 1 1/2".

[Buddy]

"...just stay away from Meineke- they screwed my exhaust over in Hershey while I was on the road!!!"

So what you're saying is you got screwed in the exhaust while on the Hershey highway by a guy named Meineke....hmmmmm....