I just got an 85.5 944na a couple of weeks ago. Had planed to get the belts done on it but had not gotten around to it yet. It broke when going down the interstate at about 90 mph.

I guess I have a couple of options:

• Sell the car as is and let somebody else fix it. I would let the car go for what it would take to get it back in the shape I bought it in. This would be about $2,500. The car is in good shape with 94k miles on it. I just put a new K&N, new plugs, new fuel filter and hood badge on it. It has been repainted guard's red and the interior is very good. If anybody is interested, email me.
  
• Take the car to a shop and have them fix it. I am figuring it is going to take $2,000. I don't want to have them stiff me, so what all is probably messed up? Is there any chance I can just replace the belt, reset the timing and it will be okay?

The reason I am strongly considering selling is that there is another 944 I like. This is an auto or I would definitely keep it.

Any other pointers anyone might have would be welcome.

-Bart

 

Hmmm, need valves, not a chance that they made it. The head does have to come off. If you can do it, you're looking at about 2-300 plus valves.

 

Well, technically there is a very very very small chance you made it without problems, but don't count on it.

When I had the shop change my headgasket and rebuild my head (essentially what you'll need, plus valves) it was $1400. I think $1100 was all the labor for the headgasket, and then the head rebuild was 300 on top of that.

 

A rebuilt or used head from a reputable salvage yard is probably more cost effective. Last I checked, valves were about US$60 each.

Since it's an automatic, and there's another 944 on the 'orizon, I would say sell or part out.

Good luck!

 

I am really afraid to do it. I know that the tensioning of the timing belt is pretty critical. I am comfortable working on my Jeep, but have not done any engine work really and knew absolutely nothing about Porsches until a couple of weeks ago when I got this one. Should I try to buy the parts and take them somewhere where I will just have to pay labor? Where is a good priced place that would have what I need in stock? So far, I need valves and timing belt. What else?

-Bart

 

That may be a good option. I know one shop that is reputable (Munich Sport in Pelham, AL) and they get a lot of used stuff for people.

Wanna buy it?? It is worth the $2,500 I posted, I am certain.

-Bart

 

The head gasket set with all the needed seals, etc is about 150 bucks with the head gaket. Posibly the rollers and tensioners too, along with the balance belt too, it has to come off, no reaon to do it twice.

 

Given that it's an automatic sell it or part it out and buy the other 944 that you spoke of... manual is the only way to drive

Cheers,
Sach

 

If you do decide to get rid of it, you may get more for the parts than the whole. Hate to say it but an automatic isn't very desirable when compared to a 5spd. I recently bought a decent condition 85.5 5spd with 100k on it with the same problem for $600. If the car is in really great shape otherwise, it might even be cheaper to find a complete running engine for what you're likely to spend on getting this fixed. Just something to consider.

 

Where are you at in AL. I'm just outside of Nashville, and I could probley help you with this car. I also have a head off of a 83 that I'm don't see using in the near future.

 

It is almost definate you bent valves, this happened to my dad about 2 months ago at idle and he bent 4 valves, DEFINATELY call Jason or Skip at paragon, everyone around here raves about them so thats who i called to get all the parts for my dad, they know what to suggest "While your in there" like front end seals, and they get it to you ASAP, including 2 intake and 2 exhaust valves, all the belts rollers, head gasket, i believe the tensioner, front end seal kit, it was about $600, i want to say that one of the valves was $30 and the other was $60 but could be wrong.

Mark

 

want a whole engine?

 

Check on ebay for hs944 we parted out an auto 944 and the engine is in great condition. The auction ends under 2 days. All the details about it is there. Buying a whole engine would probably be cheaper plus you will have some parts for it later on from your engine.

 

Thanks for all the advice. Still tossing around options. I PM'ed a couple of you.

-Bart

 

Save the car. Or I might buy it and put it back together.