Questions about 86 944 Turbo I just bought!!

[Vroom]

Thanks for this service. I just bought a 1986 944 Turbo from my brother in law who is a foreign mechanic/shop owner in Hyannis , MA. It's in really beautiful condition, almost showroom. 138K Miles.

Anyway, here are some of my questions:
1. After driving a short while, mostly noticeable on highway in 4th or 5th gear, I'm hearing a noise, in gear, not in neutral, from in front of me. A drone, that shouldn't be there. My mechanic, who specializes in Porsche and Audi, said to bring it to him when the noise is there, so he can try to isolate it. He heard it too, but hasn't gotten deep into it yet. Told me that I wasn't hurting the car. My brother in law, did change the clutch recently, re surfaced the flywheel. I've got to check to see if he serviced the clutch bearings. He also changed the timing belt and balancing belt. But I've got to check to see if he changed the two pulleys or not? My mechanic said it could be a hose, or air leak or pulley or bearing. Any idea what can cause this uncomfortable noise? I don't want to hurt the car.

2. The passenger seat "right" latch , to push it forward, is loose. How do I secure it? It's the right latch (there is one on each side of seat, on the back rest). Is there a pin in there that I have to get to?

3. I bought a CD walkman to use in the car. It has an original Blaupunkt Tape/FM/AM. When I plugged the power cord into the cigarette lighter, it blew the fuse in the power cord. When I plugged an air compressor into the lighter, it blew the 15amp fuse in the car. When I plugged both of these into my Volvo's lighter, no problems at all. In the Porsche, the actual cigarette lighter works fine. I've noticed that any accessory I plug into the Porsche socket, is very loose fitting. The Volvo is a tighter fit. I plugged a little map light into the Porsche, and it worked, but on and off because the fit was so loose. In the Volvo, no problem. I got some advice to just replace the Porsche socket/lighter. But, the Porsche parts manager said that the socket would probably remain loose for me and that I should check out getting an adaptor that would fit into the Porsche socket, to tighten it up, make a firm fit, first, before just changing the socket--$40 something for the part, plus labor. I called Radio Shack, as they suggested, but they don't have anything like that.
Any suggestions how to remedy this?

4. The radio /windshield antenna system is very poor. Poor radio reception. I'm going to take it to a reliable audio shop for their opinion, but what have other 944 owners done to improve reception? Put an antenna mast on the outside of the car?

5. I notice that shifting from 3rd to 4th isn't as smooth as it should be. You have to pull once, then pull twice to move it cleanly. Any advice? Slower speeds seem to be less problematical than when accelerating.

6. My air blower for AC/Heat worked on all 4 speeds, then just 4 or high, and then back to all four speeds. Brother in law is sending me a new relay and showed me where it goes. Is that best remedy, or should I remove existing relay and just spray with cleaner?

7. Sometimes the clutch pedal sticks or doesn't come all the way back up. I push from under it with my foot and it easily unsticks and frees itself. What can I do to remedy?

8. When I use left turn signal, it doesn't shut off automatically after the turn. What needs to be done?

I am really enjoying the car, the quality of it's manufacture, and driveability. Thanks to all for their suggestions.
Sincerely,
Ave

[ch944]

Are you in the Hyannis area?

[MAS]

I don't know the answer to all of your questions, but...

The sticking clutch pedal is usually (read: almost always) symptomatic of a bad clutch master cylinder. They are not expensive to replace. Often the slave needs doing at the same time. So it's usually best to get them both done ASAP.

Also, regarding your dificulty in changing gears (at times)... this could be due to your clutch not being properly activated because of your clutch master and/or low clutch fluid.

The "drone" at highway speeds could be due to the tires. Maybe they need to be rotated? "Feathering" of a front tire can make this sound.

The stock stereos are not worth repairing. I suggest a complete replacement: with a CD player and new speakers, front and back. Almost any reasonably priced 4x6 speakers will be an improvement over the stock
Blaupunkt 4X6's. You can get good 2 way 4X6's for under $120/pair, and a reasonable high power CD player for about $200. If you get them installed at a pro shop, you'll probably be looking at under $600 for a more than reasonable sounding system.

-MAS

[Vroom]

Hey guys, Thanks for the suggestions. I'm down in Rockland County , NY... brother in law in on Cape Cod. His shop is Hyannis Foreign Auto, right near the traffic circle by the airport.

So, the clutch master cylinder also has a slave. I'll have that checked out. Thanks also for suggestions about sound system.

WILL THE WINDSHIELD ANTENNA BE SATISFACTORY AFTER I PUT IN A NEW SYSTEM?

Ave

[MAS]

"So, the clutch master cylinder also has a slave. I'll have that checked out"

Yes it does. But it's the master that is causing the pedal to stick. Also, feel around the back of the clutch pedal... you may have fluid leaking down the back.

Also... check the clutch/brake fluid reservoir, as it may be low (there's only one... for both the clutch and the brake).

-MAS

[This message has been edited by MAS (edited 08-29-2001).]

[MAS]

"WILL THE WINDSHIELD ANTENNA BE SATISFACTORY AFTER I PUT IN A NEW SYSTEM?"

Sorry, I don't know for sure, as my car (a 924S) has a regular antenna. But my guess is that the poor reception may be caused by your stock deck/radio and/or the wiring. Your window antenna will probably work well with a new system.

If you have the spare cash, I'd recommend getting the system profesionally installed by a good shop. As the rear speakers can be hard to remove/install.

-MAS

[Vroom]

Yes, I'll have a good sound shop install any new audio in the car. Again , thanks.
I'll check into the clutch master cylinder.
The reservoir seems full. Haven't noticed any leaks.
Ave

[Z-man]

Vroom:
You can upgrade your radio/cass to CD fairly easily and for a good price. Mid-west electronics (http://www.midwest-usa.com) sells left-over Blaupunkt CD units for great prices. (Previous year's radios/CD's...etc: note: most are new, some are reconditioned: look at the website for more info) I bought a NEW Nevada CD unit for $125.00. They ship it with the newer wiring kits, so all you have to do is splice the right wires in. Since your stock radio is a DIN unit, the Blau's will just slide right into the current harness. You can do it and save some $$. So far, I haven't replaced the speakers: with the new radio, the sound quality is already much better (Speaker replacement will be a winter project!)

As far as the antenna, even with my new radio, the reception stinks! (BTW: I'm in north NJ: how close are you to the border? If you need help with radio installation, I can give a hand...)

Congrats on your purchase!
-Zoltan.

PS: If you're interested: September 8th PCA NNJ is having their monthly autocross at the Giants Stadium parking lot. $30.00 to play. check out: www.pca.org/nnj

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My toy: http://www.pelicanparts.com/gallery/Z-man

[This message has been edited by Z-man (edited 08-29-2001).]

[Vroom]

Zoltan, Thanks for radio suggestion. I think I'm going to splurge this time and go to a local audio shop. I live close to Montvale, NJ. Where are you? Appreciate your offer of help!!! That's the best part of these email groups/bulletin boards. Everyone is so willing to help out. Even the parts guy at the local Porsche dealer was welcoming me to the club and willing to give suggestions. He mentioned PCA as well. I'll check into it. I'd love to find a place to run the car faster, like LIME ROCK, etc. Any suggestions guys?
Ave

[scottewid]

Vroom, when you pull your radio out, make sure the antenna amplifier is hooked to 12 volts. You'll see a black wire that on the antenna lead. If this doesn't have power, the amplifier won't work and your reception will stink.

If it is hooked up, disconnect it with the radio on. You should notice that the reception craps out. If so, it's working and that's the best reception you'll get. It's possible that a new radio will have a more sensitive tuner and give better reception.

Bottom line though is that even with a functioning amp, the windshield antenna just does not do as good a job as an exterior aerial. My 84 944 with fender mount antenna got better reception than my 86 951, especially AM.

[Z-man]

Originally posted by Vroom:
Zoltan, Thanks for radio suggestion. I think I'm going to splurge this time and go to a local audio shop. I live close to Montvale, NJ. Where are you? Appreciate your offer of help!!! That's the best part of these email groups/bulletin boards. Everyone is so willing to help out. Even the parts guy at the local Porsche dealer was welcoming me to the club and willing to give suggestions. He mentioned PCA as well. I'll check into it. I'd love to find a place to run the car faster, like LIME ROCK, etc. Any suggestions guys?
Ave

Ave:
Cool: I work in Montvale! (One of the Mercedes Benz buildings: 3 Mercedes drive). I don't know if you wish to install a newer Blaupunkt unit, but if that is the case, I priced a lower end CD unit at a place in Spring Valley (closest place that deals with Blau's). Their cost to purchase and install was over $200.00. Bottom line: I saved at least $70.00 by doing it myself.

As for fast driving, I'll be doing a Driver Ed event with PCA at Lime Rock on Sept. 14-15. Two days of track for $200.00: can't beat that! There may still be openings for that event: check out the NNJ PCA chapter for more information. (You do need to be a PCA member to run at the Lime Rock DE) And definately come out to the autox on Sept 8th: you don't need to be a member of PCA to run there. Also: check into WSCC (Westchester sports car club): they do autocrossing at Palisades Center Mall, as well as track events at Lime Rock and Pocono. They are: www.wscc.org.

I'll be looking for you on the roads...(I take the NY Thruway to 287 to work and home (Wayne NJ) everyday)
-Zoltan.

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My toy: http://www.pelicanparts.com/gallery/Z-man

[DennisR_944]

If you'll pull your radio and follow the antenna lead going to the windshield antenna, you'll see that it goes into a little black box that sits just under the dash, next to the fender in the passenger side footwell. The box is held on by 1 screw if memory serves me right. Take it out and take it apart. You'll see a solder joint where the middle wire on the antenna lead connects to the circuit board. Heat it up with a soldering iron to resolder this joint and you should see an improvement. I also bought a cheap preamp signal booster at Auto Zone (about $10 and placed it between the antenna lead and the radio. Wire it so that it's always on when the ignition is. Did wonders for my reception. You can tuck it behind the radio before you put it back in. Good luck.

Dennis Russell

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Dennis Russell
Indianapolis, IN USA
1987 944 n/a

[Vroom]

Scott, Thanks for advice. I've been trying to figure out where an antenna would go on this car if I decided not to use windshield....?

Zoltan, I play music for weddings, band and DJ, and have performed many many times at Park Ridge Marriott, Ramada (now Holiday) Inn, Woodcliff Lake Hilton, etc. I'm 8 minutes away from Van Riper's and Mercedes. Small world, huh. Thanks again for suggestions about Meadowlands, Lime Rock, etc.

Dennis, Thanks for suggestions about black box/ solder point/ etc. I'm still thinking, from what everyone says, that a mast might be the way to go, though it's a shame to do that to a nice body.

NEW QUESTION: I changed the oil and filter for the first time. Being new to the car, it took me a long while to figure out what the best lift points were, looking at the manual, etc. I can't just drive the car up my work ramps because it's too low. So, I used my hydraulic jack with wood blocks. And I backed car up the ramps, too. Just to get a better look. There was no belly pan/shield surrounding the oil pan, as shown in the Haynes book?
The filter was very hard to remove, but I got it off. How do I prevent excess oil getting onto the pan below?
Is there a safe spot underneath, where I can jack up the car in the middle? That way , I put put jack stands on each side. So far, I just used jack on one side. Anyway, help me out with this if you can?

Anybody have a guess with the drone noise from area of the clutch? On highway, in 4th or 5th gear. But not in neutral.

Hey, I was pleasantly surprised to see how cold the AC is, after 1 lb. of freon was added. Much better than the Volvo, and better than other owners have said.

Anybody have a suggestion about the cigarette lighter problem, shorting out my adaptor for portable CD player?

NEW QUESTION: Do any of you safely take car through automatic car washes?
The track that pulls car through seems to be too high for this 944?

[jseel]

there is a tech bulletin about resurfacing flywheels you may want to find i believe it talks about a noise and how to fix it. automatic car washes should be illegal! just kidding but they will mess up yoour paint every time with the plastic brushes.it may also be to low but i wouldnt try. most car washes also recycle their water and use an acid to purify it--really bad for the finish.the turn signal probably has a plastic stopper which is broken. i think you have to buy the whole thing to fix that but i could be wrong. good luck! im currently sorting out my own new 86 951 with 76000 miles.

[Vroom]

Jseel, Thanks for the advice.
I like the body and interior on this 86 951 very much. I've seen newer models that I don't like as much. What kind of shape is your 951 in ?

Ave