Newbe

[BrianT]

Just wanted to introduce myself, I just acquired a 1983 Porsche 944, it was free so that makes it even better. I owned a 944 new in 1985 and have missed it ever sense I let it go.
The 944 I acquired is in OK mechanical condition but the interior is gone, it looks like it had set for a while with the sunroof and hatch leaking. The only rust it has is the seat bolts and I have cut the passenger seat out and just waiting on getting all the other items fixed and in good condition before I take it out so I can test drive it. So fare I have changed out the cam and balance belts, water pump and idler pulleys also I have replaced all the vacuum hoses, water hoses and outer belts. Where it had been wet inside I have had to clean all the electrical connectors but everything works and is now running OK.
I now have a few questions that I know someone here can answer.
1. When I rev the motor and let off the RPMs will drop down to about 600 to 700 RPMs and then return to 900, is this normal?
2. When I rev it, it is kind of rough at first then smooths out, I have new motor mounts to replace the old ones, maybe this will help?
3. My temperature will go almost to the (red) right before the fans kick in, Then it will goto mid range. Maybe the temp sensor is bad? I have replaced the DME temp sensor but cannot find the one for the guage. I have also replaced the TPS, vacuum temp switch, all injectors and regulator. I figured they were old enough that they needed replaced anyway, replace them before they go bad.
4. Am looking for the trim around the interior door handle in brown.
5. Anyone around the Fort Myers, FL. area?

Brian
Fort Myers, FL.

[AaronM]

1) Normal, yes. Optimal, no. It's a flaw in the DME programming that is common in early 944's. When you lift throttle, the engine actually shuts off all fuel until the engine slows down to 1,200 RPM. In early 944's, it doesn't re-start fuel flow fast enough and the engine dips to 600-700 RPM before stabilizing again.

2) Probably a small vacuum leak somewhere. Engine mounts will smooth out above 1,100 RPM or so.

3) Normal. 85.5+ cars, with the new interior, have a guage that actually has the red mark at a higher temperature.

4) This could be hard. Pelican only has it in black. Look for a member called 944 Ecology, he has a lot of used parts.

5) Check out the regional forums, there should be some people in your area.

[Razorback1980]

3. I think the temp sensor is in the radiator just for future reference.

4. I saw some of these on ebay a couple days ago I think they should still be on.

Welcome to the forum.

Here are a couple other links in case you are not familiar with them.

www.clarks-garage.com
http://www.connactivity.com/~kgross/FAQ/944faq05.html

[CJFusco]

Addendum:

1) This is called "drop-and-shudder". it is normal on NA 944s. There are some chips out there that fix this; the best I've found is FRWilk's chips. He no longer makes/sells them, but they sometimes pop up on eBay.

Welcome to the forum

[Eldorado]

yup.. wilk's chip will take away the annoying drop and shudder... I swear i could have lived without the extra smooth torque curve that his chip provides... but i could NOT live without that shudder fix.. to me, it just made the car feel new again...

as for your fans not kicking on until it gets near red... i dont believe that's normal at all... my gauge NEVER gets to the second line... always the first like or a needle's width or two above it... even on the hottest of summer days sitting in traffic..
my fans kick on right below the first line. could be wrong on all that, just telling you what my car is like.

Welcome, Brian! =)

[BrianT]

Thanks everyone for your help, I think I will replace the fan switch and the temp sensor just to see if that changes anything. I have seen fan switches that kick in at a lower temp, I may even use one of them. Them being 24 years old one or both of them maybe bad.

Again thanks for your help

[CJFusco]

Originally posted by Eldorado

as for your fans not kicking on until it gets near red... i dont believe that's normal at all... my gauge NEVER gets to the second line... always the first like or a needle's width or two above it... even on the hottest of summer days sitting in traffic..
my fans kick on right below the first line. could be wrong on all that, just telling you what my car is like.

My old NA used to get to 3/4 before the fans would kick on (the next line was the "red"). It would drop down to the half line, and the process would start again.

[p-talk]

Ah, I HATE the "drop-and-shudder"!!! Fixing my vacuum line leaks helped it, but it is still there. I wonder if low fuel pressure could make this worse as well?

At any rate, if it's dropping TOO much (i.e. almost dying) you may want to check vacuum lines. Heck, I'd check them anyway, they are a weak spot on these cars, and there's lots of them.

Good luck and welcome!

Originally posted by CJFusco

1) This is called "drop-and-shudder". it is normal on NA 944s. There are some chips out there that fix this; the best I've found is FRWilk's chips. He no longer makes/sells them, but they sometimes pop up on eBay.

Welcome to the forum

[Rick V]

Welcome, and let me be the first to ask...................Any pics? Sorry I can't help with your problems, I'm new to waterworld.

[AaronM]

Originally posted by Eldorado
as for your fans not kicking on until it gets near red... i dont believe that's normal at all... my gauge NEVER gets to the second line... always the first like or a needle's width or two above it... even on the hottest of summer days sitting in traffic..
my fans kick on right below the first line. could be wrong on all that, just telling you what my car is like.

Welcome, Brian! =)

Never seen an early car do that. Are you sure that your guage is working correctly and that your thermoswitch is stock?

For an 85.5+ car, the guage should stay right about the middle, but for an early car (or a 924S), the guage should go to just above the last white line and then the fans should kick on to bring it down to the middle of the range again.

[Eldorado]

Originally posted by AaronM
Never seen an early car do that. Are you sure that your guage is working correctly and that your thermoswitch is stock?

nope! and no idea how to check, either! lol

but it's been kicking strong for 2 years in my ownership now... and the PO never had issues... so i think it's fine

oh yea... one of my rad fans isn't hooked up.. it threw all 3 blades... I've got a replacement, but have yet to install it! again.. going like that for close to 3 years now (happened a year before the PO sold it to me).

[CJFusco]

It probably has the updated thermoswitch.

[BrianT]

I have put a new waterpump and new thermostat and yes it will go almost to the red then the fans kick in and it will go back down to about mid way then the cycle starts all over again. It don't do this when I am driving down the road. The switch is original and may just need replacing. Has anyone used the lower temp switches I see out their, I live in Florida and it can get very hot here.
As for vacuum, I have replaced all the hoses large and small with new factory hoses except for the one going to the brake booster, I am waiting on backorder but it looks good and the booster is holding vacuum. I have new fuel regulator and dampener but think the one way valve on my fuel pump is bad because it does not hold pressure after the key is off for very long. I need to make an adapter to check my fuel pressure just for piece of mind.
No I do not have pictures that I care to share, it is not very good looking right now, the interior is out of it except for the drivers seat, I am replacing it all. I have purchased several interior parts used, have new carpet to install and I have used seats to install after I recover them. It is a ongoing project, I just want to get the mechanical items addressed and in very good condition then I will tackle the interior. The exterior is not bad, a few nicks and bings and has a cheep paint job that needs redone. I have a friend that manages a highend body shop and when the time is right I will turn it over to them to make it look proud again. Then I will post before and after pictures. But right now it is not much to look at. I have over spent my budjet but when I am done and on the road I will know it will get me their and in style.

[Keithr726]

On the early NA 83-85.5 it is normal for the gauge to go to the 3/4 mark until the fan comes on. My 944 did this but adding water wetter when I did a coolant change helped a bit. This was in my old 83 which I sold a few months ago.