85 944 Gremlins
11-26-2001, 04:32 PM
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85 944 Gremlins
Good day,
I recently acquired a 1985 Porche, 944. It's a four-cylinder with an
automatic transmission. At $2,500.00, I couldn't hardly resist. I hope to
restore it for my daughter, she's nine right now.
The car engine runs well, starts in an instant. A warm engine idles at 1100
rpm. The oil pressure guage seems to want to stay pegged over at 5. I've
noticed no blue smoke upon start, nor upon pulling out. I chatted with a
couple of mechanics about it, one who had worked on it before and one who is
familiar with Porches. The timing belt has been replaced about 10,000 miles
ago. A rattle beneath revealed no problem with the engine mounts, but the
catalytic converter cover is loose. The car shows 79,500 on the odometer.
The body is solid, though it has been repainted from its original brown/rust
to black. I expect to repaint it one day. It has a lot of what I would
call nickel & dime stuff that needs fixing, e.g., one of the latches on the
sunroof is broken; the horn button needs fixing; and the passenger-side
power window doesn't work and several other small items. The car did pass
Virginia state inspection (I had to finagle the horn). All the external
lights, wipers, etc. are intact and work.
It steers nice and tight and there's no whine anywhere in the transaxle.
It's a joy to drive and has more power than I ever thought a four-cylinder
(non-turbo) could produce.
I'm putting together my list of things that need to be fixed, but I am
researching where I might find the most detailed auto manuals for the car.
Would appreciate your thoughts on any "gremlins" this model might harbor and
where I could find some good manuals for both mechanical and electrical
works. I'm afraid I'm getting addicted to this car already. I haven't had this much fun since I rebuilt my Fiat 124 Spider engine, and that's been almost 20 years ago.
Thanks so much.
Regards,
Rabbit
I recently acquired a 1985 Porche, 944. It's a four-cylinder with an
automatic transmission. At $2,500.00, I couldn't hardly resist. I hope to
restore it for my daughter, she's nine right now.
The car engine runs well, starts in an instant. A warm engine idles at 1100
rpm. The oil pressure guage seems to want to stay pegged over at 5. I've
noticed no blue smoke upon start, nor upon pulling out. I chatted with a
couple of mechanics about it, one who had worked on it before and one who is
familiar with Porches. The timing belt has been replaced about 10,000 miles
ago. A rattle beneath revealed no problem with the engine mounts, but the
catalytic converter cover is loose. The car shows 79,500 on the odometer.
The body is solid, though it has been repainted from its original brown/rust
to black. I expect to repaint it one day. It has a lot of what I would
call nickel & dime stuff that needs fixing, e.g., one of the latches on the
sunroof is broken; the horn button needs fixing; and the passenger-side
power window doesn't work and several other small items. The car did pass
Virginia state inspection (I had to finagle the horn). All the external
lights, wipers, etc. are intact and work.
It steers nice and tight and there's no whine anywhere in the transaxle.
It's a joy to drive and has more power than I ever thought a four-cylinder
(non-turbo) could produce.
I'm putting together my list of things that need to be fixed, but I am
researching where I might find the most detailed auto manuals for the car.
Would appreciate your thoughts on any "gremlins" this model might harbor and
where I could find some good manuals for both mechanical and electrical
works. I'm afraid I'm getting addicted to this car already. I haven't had this much fun since I rebuilt my Fiat 124 Spider engine, and that's been almost 20 years ago.
Thanks so much.
Regards,
Rabbit
11-26-2001, 07:31 PM
#2
Race Car
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Katy, TX - Texas Greaseslingers West
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OK, I can't resist...
Gremlins are AMC's and Rabbits are VW's...
Now, on to the questions. Best manuals are the factory set. They will run you around $225 and can be purchased from a variety of sources. My favorite is Paragon. E-Bay often has the CD version (copied factory manuals - up to you if you want to go this way - obviously infringes on copyright law). They run around $60. Next best reference is the Porsche PET CD. This is a detailed parts list complete with diagrams. These are also copies, and I'm sure they are illegal also - BUT Porsche doesn't sell these at any price, so I've convinced myself that there isn't REALLY anything wrong with this
and I've pick one up on E-Bay for $20. 
Gremlins are AMC's and Rabbits are VW's...
Now, on to the questions. Best manuals are the factory set. They will run you around $225 and can be purchased from a variety of sources. My favorite is Paragon. E-Bay often has the CD version (copied factory manuals - up to you if you want to go this way - obviously infringes on copyright law). They run around $60. Next best reference is the Porsche PET CD. This is a detailed parts list complete with diagrams. These are also copies, and I'm sure they are illegal also - BUT Porsche doesn't sell these at any price, so I've convinced myself that there isn't REALLY anything wrong with this
and I've pick one up on E-Bay for $20.
11-28-2001, 12:52 AM
#3
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Welcome to the 944 world. I've owned one for two years now. I still love it. I don nearly all the work myself. I use a Haynes manuel for $15 nearly everywhere. Otherwise I rely on this website or other Porsche websites for fix up information. The 944 seems to be dearly loved by their owners, so there is a tremendous amount of do it youself info available.
The oil pressure pegged is a common symptom of a failed oil pressure sender switch. It is on the passenger side under the exhaust. Pretty simple to replace. They are also a source of oil leak in that area. Generally sounds to me like you have a good car. Timing belt and waterpump seem to be the biggest problem areas. Drive it for a while you probably won't have any major problems from it. They tend to be very reliable fun cars to own.
The oil pressure pegged is a common symptom of a failed oil pressure sender switch. It is on the passenger side under the exhaust. Pretty simple to replace. They are also a source of oil leak in that area. Generally sounds to me like you have a good car. Timing belt and waterpump seem to be the biggest problem areas. Drive it for a while you probably won't have any major problems from it. They tend to be very reliable fun cars to own.
11-29-2001, 10:35 PM
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Quote: "It has a lot of what I would
call nickel & dime stuff that needs fixing..."
I have NOT found any nickel and dime stuff, lots of $50+ stuff, however it is one of the finest autos made and a joy to drive and well worth the expense. If you get a change drive on a track once or twice, not much HP but loads of handling!!!
call nickel & dime stuff that needs fixing..."
I have NOT found any nickel and dime stuff, lots of $50+ stuff, however it is one of the finest autos made and a joy to drive and well worth the expense. If you get a change drive on a track once or twice, not much HP but loads of handling!!!
12-09-2001, 12:20 AM
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Hey Rabbit
I too bought a 85-1/2 about a year ago and ast2000 is right it should be said $10 and $20 dollar stuff. Anyway I got mine for $3000 and have put about $1500 in nickle and dime stuff in it. I have a 84 model that I bought for parts and am parting it out. One thing I needed was a new unscratched passenger window. I do have a good motor and mech. for your pass door and lost of other pcs. That might keep that 5 and dime stuff down to a minimum.
David M.
hpandsd@ev1.net
I too bought a 85-1/2 about a year ago and ast2000 is right it should be said $10 and $20 dollar stuff. Anyway I got mine for $3000 and have put about $1500 in nickle and dime stuff in it. I have a 84 model that I bought for parts and am parting it out. One thing I needed was a new unscratched passenger window. I do have a good motor and mech. for your pass door and lost of other pcs. That might keep that 5 and dime stuff down to a minimum.
David M.
hpandsd@ev1.net
