maintenance list \ 944

[AJM944]

Hi all,
Does anyone have a detailed list of how to maintain a 944?

Example:

Replace
Spark Plug every 1,500 miles

Rotate tires every 3,000 miles

Ect…

Thanks
AJ

[overkill]

Get a haynes manual at pepboyz. It has a detailed list of stuff that has to be done.

[todwic]

email socal driver, I'm sure he'd love to give you a detailed list of what you need to do and when, and how often.

[Dantilla]

Every month, take it to your local Porsche dealer and say "Do whatever needs to be done. I'll pick it up on Thursday."

[wjk_glynn]

If you're curious, you can see what I've spent on my 944S2 at the following link:

http://www.weissach.net/WP0AB294XMN410197-History.html

Karl.

[scottmandue]

Originally posted by Dantilla
Every month, take it to your local Porsche dealer and say "Do whatever needs to be done. I'll pick it up on Thursday."

You left out, show up Thursday with suitcase full of hundred dollar bills.

[Mark_944S2]

Hi wjk_glynn,

What a coincidence - I live in Sunnyvale and drive a 1991 S2 too. Mine is bright red so keep an eye open for it and give us a wave next time you see it! (has "marks s2" plates) What colours yours?

Was very interested to see the maintenance info for yours, it gives me an idea what to expect. Mine has almost identical mileage, and recently had all the belts, tensioners and the timing chain tensioner done. Did they change your chain tensioner when they changed your chain? This is a common weak area and a common cause of chain failure - the nylon block cracks. Mine had a hairline fracture when changed and wasn't far from failure.

Mark

[wjk_glynn]

Originally posted by Mark_944S2
What a coincidence - I live in Sunnyvale and drive a 1991 S2 too. Mine is bright red so keep an eye open for it and give us a wave next time you see it! (has "marks s2" plates) What colours yours?

Hi Mark,

Small world! I think I may have seen your car. I walk to work along Mathilda and I'm pretty sure I've seen a red S2 once or twice in the morning. There's also 2x different 968 Cabs that I see on a regular basis on that street as well.

Mines a black S2. Here's a not so great photo:

http://www.weissach.net/images/KarlTurn11SearsPoint.jpg

Was very interested to see the maintenance info for yours, it gives me an idea what to expect. Mine has almost identical mileage, and recently had all the belts, tensioners and the timing chain tensioner done. Did they change your chain tensioner when they changed your chain? This is a common weak area and a common cause of chain failure - the nylon block cracks. Mine had a hairline fracture when changed and wasn't far from failure.

At my last big service (see following link), I had just the plastic rail replaced. It was actually in good shape with no signs of cracking. In hindsight, I think I should have replace the tensioner as well but there you have it. Here's the link for that particular service. If you scroll down a little, you'll see the parts & labor for the timing chain work.

http://www.weissach.net/WP0AB294XMN410197-History.html#Service_2002-07-01

Anyway, I'll certainly keep an eye out for you.

Karl.

[88_944]

Service ($400)

Engine Oil

Oil, air and fuel filters

Sparkplugs

Transaxle Oil

Repair ($600)

Removed and flushed radiator with “Fast Flush”

Replaced:

- Auxiliary Fan Switch
- Auxiliary Fan Relay
- Radiator Switch
- Thermostat
- Coolant

$1,000!!! LOL!!! I'll save $750 or more if I do it myself.

[Mark_944S2]

Hi Karl,

Yes its probably mine you've seen, I drive up Mathilda every morning to 237.

I gather from the photo you've raced yours? I'd like to try mine but I don't really know where to start.

One final question : i was looking at the horsepower figures you got, are those with all stock air filter and CPU etc? They are excellent figures if so. I have thought about getting a CPU upgrade - though as my rev limit is at 6900, well above the 6500 porsche quote, I wonder if mine already has one.

Mark

[wjk_glynn]

Originally posted by 88_944
$1,000!!! LOL!!! I'll save $750 or more if I do it myself.

Yah I know but the prices are due to the high labor rates here in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Basically an independant Porsche-Specalist shop runs ~$100/hour. It adds up.

I've always had asperations of doing the work myself but since I work ~50 hours/week, I simply don't have the time.

Karl.

[wjk_glynn]

Originally posted by Mark_944S2
I gather from the photo you've raced yours? I'd like to try mine but I don't really know where to start.

Nope, never raced it. That photo was taken at a DE event of which I've done 1 or 2. You can see my comments about my first DE event at the following link:

http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=15;t=012330#000000

I've done several Autocrosses with the SCCA and PCA. That's the best place to start.

One final question : i was looking at the horsepower figures you got, are those with all stock air filter and CPU etc? They are excellent figures if so.

The car is bone-stock though the dyno measurements were done shortly after the major service so all the filters were fresh (maybe that helped a little).

Cars vary due to manufacturing tolerances. When I was buying that car, there were 2 other S2s for sale in the Bay Area. The one that I bought simply pulled harder than the others and the dyno numbers seem back it up. The planets were in alignment the day my car was made!

I have thought about getting a CPU upgrade - though as my rev limit is at 6900, well above the 6500 porsche quote, I wonder if mine already has one.

Hmmm... That sounds odd to me. I'd guess you have a chip.

At the end of the day, putting in a chip, K&N, modified exhaust, etc will get you a few HP here and there. To be honest, its very hard to feel an extra 5 HP and IMO, the cost is questionable.

Karl.

[Mark_944S2]

Hi Karl,

Thanks for the info. There does seem to be a little variance between these models, mine actually felt faster on a test drive than a later 968. I agree with your point about performance mods, there isn't much more to get out of these as things like the air filter and intake system are well designed anyway and there isn't much scope for improvement.

I'm just curious about the chip really - so what's the rev limit on yours? Another thing that makes me suspicious is that the car runs like c**p on 89 grade, preferring 93. So it sounds like the ignition is advanced from standard.

Things mine needs doing soon :

1) Gear change is reluctant on cold mornings so I think I need some synthetic gear oil. I've heard good reports about amsoil

2) Front strut top bearings are worn, bad news on an S2 at $500 for a kit!

3) One back fender needs respraying as it's faded - haven't found a shop who'd give me a reasonable quote yet.

4) Cruise doesn't work - never will either as I can't be bothered having it fixed. Central locking doesn't work either, ditto.

Mark

[wjk_glynn]

Hi Mark,

I wouldn't put 89 in our cars. I'm not even happy that we're stuck with 91 where we live. Its probably just me being paranoid but...

My transaxle has exactly the same cold weather behaviour as yours. When my tranny oil was last replaced (not with synthetic), it improved things so your idea of using Swepco or something similar would probably help. Just be "sympathetic" to it in the mornings.

Regarding front strut top bearings, Paragon sells a pair for an S2 for ~$227. See the following link:

http://www.smartcart.com/Paragon/cgi/display.cgi?item_num=944_strutmt

Karl.