944 Do it yourself of maintenace
Discussion
Hello.Not had a 944 before but looking at getting one.Just wondered if anyone can give me some idea of what someone with a reasonable amount of knowledge could expect to undertake themselves in the way of maintaiance Also including repairs and parts cost etc.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Edited by rocky65 on Friday 24th January 13:59
This is what you will need. Most tasks on a 944 can be sorted using this guide.
http://www.clarks-garage.com/
I give you, Clarks garage.
http://www.clarks-garage.com/
I give you, Clarks garage.
I wanted a classic car that performs ok and looked good with fine mpg with a prestige badge that I would enjoy driving, after looking at a few I almost gave up when last Sept I bought a 1987 2.5 944 Lux.
I drive it everyday it returns just under 30 mpg plus it has not dissapointed in any way.
I do all my own maintainance and so far a tiny circlip caused gear select problem easily fixed. I was lucky to sort a starting problem quickly when I found that that some numb nut had fitted an alarm imobiliser by just twisting the wires together! A little solder and no problem since.
Took it for an MOT which it sailed through and the tester said he loved it and wanted to buy one............I grinned and said "not this one pal".
I drive it everyday it returns just under 30 mpg plus it has not dissapointed in any way.
I do all my own maintainance and so far a tiny circlip caused gear select problem easily fixed. I was lucky to sort a starting problem quickly when I found that that some numb nut had fitted an alarm imobiliser by just twisting the wires together! A little solder and no problem since.
Took it for an MOT which it sailed through and the tester said he loved it and wanted to buy one............I grinned and said "not this one pal".
They are pretty simple cars, but as mentioned some jobs are awkward, like the clutch, compared to other cars. I think the key is like any other car, if you've got somewhere under cover, and ideally can get under the car easily, you're well away.
The main thing to look for is the bodywork. Unless you're skilled repairing and painting sills etc. this is where the big money could go.
It's well worth getting to know the cars by reading around the 944 forums first: far cheaper than buying one then asking the questions!
The main thing to look for is the bodywork. Unless you're skilled repairing and painting sills etc. this is where the big money could go.
It's well worth getting to know the cars by reading around the 944 forums first: far cheaper than buying one then asking the questions!
Ray Singh said:
This is what you will need. Most tasks on a 944 can be sorted using this guide.
http://www.clarks-garage.com/
I give you, Clarks garage.
It's nice to see the 16 valve cam chain and tensioner pad replacement procedure I wrote over 15 years ago is still on Clark's website!http://www.clarks-garage.com/
I give you, Clarks garage.
DRH986 said:
It's nice to see the 16 valve cam chain and tensioner pad replacement procedure I wrote over 15 years ago is still on Clark's website!
Good work! Clark's is a great site, use it a lot.And yes, the 944 (based on the experience on the 924 S) is a very easy car to work on, even doing jobs for the first time (removing the transaxle / fuel tank / engine swap all far easier than I would have expected... the biggest problems I've had have been down to poor work by previous owners - mostly re-using damaged / rounded bolts.
Cheburator mk2 said:
blade7 said:
Personally I think they are an awkward PITA to work on.
How?You should try and work on a 928... See how you get on without the hands and vision of a gynecologist... Oh, and a 2-post lift...
blade7 said:
Unfortunately a 2 post lift and tame Ed China aren't in my tool kit...
It took us a total of 6hrs to take the cam tower off, then the head, and ultimately the rest of the engine out from my 944 Turbo S race car. No engine hoist either, no two-post lift - just a home garage full of shiny tools, two excellent quality jacks, a scafolding pole and some Dyneema rope. Oh, within the above time frame, we also managed to check the valve guides for wear, to split the turbo as it appeared to be leaking from the rear seal and also to inspect the clutch... 
Difficult to work on? I wish I bought a 944TS 10yrs ago, and not a 928GT... Well, almost...blade7 said:
Usually when I work on my 944T I get a little misty eyed for my old 3 door Cosworth. 2 men 6 hours to pull out an engine and take off the head ?, I'd do that in 3 with a lunchbreak on the Ford .
Ours was a journey of discovery - neither of us has ever, ever worked on a 944 before. Never... Gassing Station | Front Engined Porsches | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff