1987 944S died!
03-31-2006, 01:40 AM
#1
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1987 944S died!
My 1987 944S died (fortunately in the driveway). The car just stopped while idling. Any advice on what I could possibly do myself to diagnose the problem before having the car towed would be appreciated. Also, how would I check to see if the camshaft belt might have given up the fight?
Thanks, George
Thanks, George
03-31-2006, 02:09 AM
#5
Race Car
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the car will stll crank if the belt is broken. Before i kept cranking on it i would try to figure out what the problem is first before more damage happens. Try to take the belt covers off or the cam tower cover where the distributor cap is and see if you can see the belt broken. I have personally seen this happen to a buddy's car of mine he said he was just sitting at a stop light and the next you know it the car died and wouldn't start and ended up finding out the belt just snapped.
03-31-2006, 02:40 AM
#6
Administrator - "Tyson"
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944S 16 valve? Pray the cam chain did not break.
03-31-2006, 08:31 AM
#7
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Stop freaking the poor boy out!! It could be a lot of less serious things like DME, DME relay, fuse, fuel pump, ignition switch etc. The DME relay is easy to troubleshoot, but check your fuses first, can you hear the fuel pump whine when you turn the key to on before cranking it? Any wires unplugged in the engine compartment, check the to mounted to the center top of the fire wall, mine came undone once because the connectors where all cracked.
More info would help, but just in case when was the last time the timing belt was changed?
More info would help, but just in case when was the last time the timing belt was changed?
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03-31-2006, 10:25 AM
#8
When you crank it does it sound like a sewing machine? If so, STOP!
IF not, go here and try the troubleshooting steps: http://www.clarks-garage.com/ Go into the garage shop manual section.
Good luck!
IF not, go here and try the troubleshooting steps: http://www.clarks-garage.com/ Go into the garage shop manual section.
Good luck!
03-31-2006, 12:18 PM
#10
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Fuel pump? DME/Fuel pump relays?
If you remove the plug fromt he camshaft cover, you should be able to see your belt on the teeth when checking for Top Dead Center (TDC) on the cam wheel. If you can't see your belt mating with the cam wheel (which ... if broken, by now may have rotated off the wheel since you've cranked on it a few times), then your timing belt is busted, and your 16 valves may be damaged.
Not to insult, but how accurate is your fuel gauge? Did you, by chance, just run outta gas (Don't get mad ..... it happened to a student of mine)?
Seems like a a little looking around under the hood and in the tank could resolve the issue before towing it.
Good luck!
If you remove the plug fromt he camshaft cover, you should be able to see your belt on the teeth when checking for Top Dead Center (TDC) on the cam wheel. If you can't see your belt mating with the cam wheel (which ... if broken, by now may have rotated off the wheel since you've cranked on it a few times), then your timing belt is busted, and your 16 valves may be damaged.
Not to insult, but how accurate is your fuel gauge? Did you, by chance, just run outta gas (Don't get mad ..... it happened to a student of mine)?
Seems like a a little looking around under the hood and in the tank could resolve the issue before towing it.
Good luck!
03-31-2006, 03:49 PM
#11
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Thanks to all for your assistance thus far. I removed the rubber plug above the distributor. I can see the belt is firmly, or as firmly as I can tell, against the cam teeth. I checked the fuses - and they appear OK. Also, I have a full tank of gas - quite certain gas is there cause I just squeezed $52.19 worth of premium in the tank.
BTW - I live near West Chester/Kennett Square, PA.
BTW - I live near West Chester/Kennett Square, PA.
03-31-2006, 06:45 PM
#12
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My S2 died in the driveway right after starting it just as you described. Timing belt took a ****. Didn't break, it just stripped the teeth. But its just as bad, I bent all the exhaust valves. When you were cranking it (!DON"T DO IT ANYMORE!), did it sound like there was no compression, or as stated above like a sewing machine? Thats what mine did.
Chances are if your belt stripped, the damage is already done.
Chances are if your belt stripped, the damage is already done.
03-31-2006, 07:00 PM
#14
Nordschleife Master
Like AZ said, before you do anything else..take off the top portion of the timing belt cover and check that the belts are still intact. Its fairly simple to remove, just a few 10mm bolts. However i think on a 944S you will need to remove the airbox first, dont think you will have any other choice other than going from underneath.
03-31-2006, 08:56 PM
#15
Team Owner
IT is no to bad to take the timing belt covers off at all , about 15 minutes work . If all looks okay take off the valve covers off, when I had your problem starting I took the valve cover off and as I was lifting it the chain flopped out like a dead tongue. I new it was serious, tensioner tore off the head, broke both cam shafts ( tore teeth off them both. ). Kind of wished my timing belt had just broke.. If everything looks okay RELAX, nothng else can be nearly that bad... took me a year and 5,000 dollars to get back on the road. What a money pit that 944 was ..... and I loved it ...
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