How should I resume working on my '83 944?
01-13-2010, 01:44 PM
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How should I resume working on my '83 944?
It's been a while since I've posted here: my '83 944 has a bad head gasket and has sat since April. I couldn't afford the repair then, but I now have some time and cash to devote to its rehab, but want to be sure I don't mess anything up, as I prep the car for the trip to the shop (A&P Specialties, PDX). Alan Blanchard diagnosed the bad head gasket when the car visited his shop in April.
The battery will probably need charging, and I'm thinking I should change the oil, if only because I have a jug I bought last spring, thinking I'd be changing my oil around May or June. Or, should I just get it on the trailer, and get it to the shop!
The other question I have has to do with "why" the head gasket failed. Was it age? 26+ years old? Anything I should test or consider before my 944 visits the shop again?
My wife gets a trip to Las Vegas if my gamble fails, and the car needs another shop visit after the head gasket replacement, so I gotta be right!
Y'all were great to me back in 2008 when I bought this 944. Thanks again!
Nick
The battery will probably need charging, and I'm thinking I should change the oil, if only because I have a jug I bought last spring, thinking I'd be changing my oil around May or June. Or, should I just get it on the trailer, and get it to the shop!
The other question I have has to do with "why" the head gasket failed. Was it age? 26+ years old? Anything I should test or consider before my 944 visits the shop again?
My wife gets a trip to Las Vegas if my gamble fails, and the car needs another shop visit after the head gasket replacement, so I gotta be right!
Y'all were great to me back in 2008 when I bought this 944. Thanks again!
Nick
01-13-2010, 01:49 PM
#2
well primary reason for headgasket failure is overheating. so running air pocket coolant or failed water pump or failed thermo.
so as long as u do a timing belt/water pump in middle of it and bleed the system afterwards...u should be good
so as long as u do a timing belt/water pump in middle of it and bleed the system afterwards...u should be good
01-13-2010, 03:27 PM
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It would be a waste of the new oil to change it now. When it comes apart the oil and coolant mix somewhat so it needs to be changed when it is put together. Just stick it on the trailer and take it to the shop.
01-13-2010, 05:57 PM
#4
Another challenge with a car that has been sitting for a year is that inactivity doesn't help. Brake calipers could be a concern (frozen, need rebuild, stale brake fluid); Old fluids will need changing; Possible corrosion on electrical connections; bad fuel in the tank; Any mixing of oil and coolant could lead to needing rod bearings inspected/replaced.
01-13-2010, 06:17 PM
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Before you go too crazy blowing lots of money on multiple shop trips, PM me. We talked before about things... it's one thing to have your head gasket done but if some of the other stuff is straightforward, better to learn it yourself and save the Porsche shop hourly fees. Plus the wifey gets less leverage that way! 