I am looking in to buying a 1988 944 turbo. This current one that I have in mind has 160,000km.

What should I look for as problem areas on this car? So far I only know of the timing belt issue, but thats it. Anything specific that could potential cause major problems?

 

Bad head gaskets are common too, but won't always be revealed by a compression test.

Check the archives for things that can go wrong, this question is asked once a month or so. Just do a search for buy and problem, and you should find several. Or is search not available to non-members?

Best thing to do is pay for an pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic who really knows these cars.

 

Things that are issues.
- head gaskets
- air conditioning system compressors dying from age
- ball joint failure
- turbo not rebuilt, at 160km might need it eventually, i am at 280km with my original no rebuild
- shocks and struts
- suspension bushings, ie control arms, sway bars etc
- water hoses and vacuum lines go bad with age
- heater core valve failure, can ruin clutch
- throttle position sensor going bad, causing erratic idle
- idle stabilizer valve causing erratic idle
- sloppy shifter caused by bad bushing
- valve guides and seats will be worn at 160km if not redone

That is pretty much all the stuff I have done on my higher mileage car. Hope it helps.

 

Add exhaust leak from broken 1-4 header, leaky oil pan, rear balance shaft gasket, rear cam gasket, etc. due to crossover pipe heat, DOT recalled fuel injection rubber hose cracks (causing engine fires), broken intake rubber boot, broken rubber intercooler to hard pipe boots, bad cycling valve, and leaky front seal or power steering rack/pump. These are the few things I can think of that I have seen which are common problems.

 

adding to the other lists...

water in passenger foot well from battery compartment (can ruin dme)
sunroof and hatch seals

 

Best Canadian dollars you'll ever spend = Pre-Purchase Inspection. Find a good 944 person at a local shop and have them take an hour or two combing through the car. Can't catch everything, but you will certainly have a much better idea of what you're likely facing down the road. Most shops will charge about 2 hours labor to go over the car.

Best if you know any fellow P-car nuts in the area that have a good shop in mind. Each P-car shop (factory or independent) usually has a "944 guy" that has forgotten more about these cars than any of us will ever remember.

 

Yup....zerofighter, if you find a car your serious about then I recommend you take it to Alpine Autowerks. Marc and Pete have forgot more about every model of Porsche than most of us will ever know. Tell them I sent you (well, maybe not...they may charge you more ). They won't sugar coat it, they'll just tell you the truth.

 

There you go! Aces in your pocket now.

Thanks Mike.

 

Previous owners.


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Not mine (car was well-cared for for the most part), but for most 944's, the real problem is the way they were mistreated/ill-maintaned/cobbled).