I am buying an 83 944 not running. 85,000 miles Car overheated, had water pump replaced and now is blowing white smoke and using water.it begins overheating almost immediatly and as soon as it warms up the oil pressure drops to almost nothing. I have seen the car but it wasnt running (dead battery) Has just had the clutch replaced and overall cosmetically the car is in great shape. any ideas ?

 

Sounds like a bad head-gasket type problem, at least 944 na motors are fairly cheap! Does the oil look like water has been getting into it?

 

the guy that put the water pump on said he popped the oil plug out to see if water was in the bottom of the crankcase but just oil came out so he put the plug back in. thats really all i know until I pick the car up in jan. Is a head gasket replacement where I'm headed? or new head/motor?

 

White smoke is most definitely the head gasket -- but that's often a symptom of something more. Zero oil pressure is also not good... I'm with Jim -- you're probably looking at a new motor.