Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Hello everyone

I recently purchased my first Porsche (a 1986 944S with 150K miles on the clock). The car has a very comprehensive history and is generally excellent condition for its age and I'm very happy with it (touch wood).

However, I'd be grateful for any advice on what to look out for with a view to preempting any problems.

Here are some details:

The car runs very well, with no flat spots and idles very well at around 900rpm.
Coolant and oil are both at the correct levels and are both clear.
The car had a full oil/air filter service 2K miles ago.
The cam belt and pulleys were all changed last month (as part of the sale of the car).
The cam chain and tensioner were replaced at 80K miles.
There is no gearbox whine, however, the gear stick when in the gears is quite slack - although shifting/engaging through all gears is trouble free.
Oil pressure when driving is between 4 and 5, but, when warm drops down to about 2 or 3 at idle... jumps back up when driving.
Temp gauge reads just above the bottom segment and remains stable.
There is an occasional slight knock felt through the steering wheel when carrying out parking moves, but, otherwise steering is fine.
... and finally, sunroof electric tilt works fine, but, despite reading the owners manual a dozen time... I still can't remove the roof!

I think that's about it.

Any comments on the above and/or general advice for a new Porsche 944S owner would be greatly appreciated.

All the best

Mark

The car runs very well, with no flat spots and idles very well at around 900rpm.
Good
Coolant and oil are both at the correct levels and are both clear.
Not expensive but Good!
The car had a full oil/air filter service 2K miles ago.
Not expensive but Good!
The cam belt and pulleys were all changed last month (as part of the sale of the car).
Have they been retensioned since? Should be after 2K or so? Was the water pump done at the same time?
The cam chain and tensioner were replaced at 80K miles.
Now overdue for a check, generally done every 80-90K
There is no gearbox whine, however, the gear stick when in the gears is quite slack - although shifting/engaging through all gears is trouble free.
Sounds like worn linkage, easy on the gearlever end damned hard on the box.
Oil pressure when driving is between 4 and 5, but, when warm drops down to about 2 or 3 at idle... jumps back up when driving.
Fine
Temp gauge reads just above the bottom segment and remains stable.
Sounds like it is a well used stat. s confirms no new water pump but OK.
There is an occasional slight knock felt through the steering wheel when carrying out parking moves, but, otherwise steering is fine.
Could be steering connection shaft by exhaust manifold are the engine mounts OK?
... and finally, sunroof electric tilt works fine, but, despite reading the owners manual a dozen time... I still can't remove the roof!
Put ignition switch in Position 1, roll switch & it should unlock arms, lift panel, unclip front clips remove roof. Reverse process to reassemble.

Many thanks for your very prompt response.

I have only driven about 150 miles since the cam belt and pulleys were changed - I have the cam belt change invoice from the garage that carried out the work so I can call them concerning the follow-up retension.

No, the water pump was not changed at the same time as last month's cam belt change.

I'll be happy to take the car to AutoWerke (our local specialist here in Norwich) for a cam chain/tensioner check up. Should there be any rattling or noise which might indicate there is currently a problem? If the tensioner does require replacing please could you indicate what I should expect to pay?

Please could you clarify what you mean concerning the gear linkage - am I damaging the car driving it as it is? Again, and indication of cost for replacing the gear linkage would be useful.

I'll have a look at the engine mounts - the knock feels like it coming from almost directly behind the steering wheel itself.

The rear of the sun roof lifts on the toothed, curved brackets, but, I can't seem to disengage the roof itself. I'll follow your procedure and see how I get on.

Thanks again.

Hello Jim

Thanks very much for your very prompt response.

I have only carried out 150 miles since the cam belt and pulleys were done. I have the details of the garage that carried out the work as the car was being prepared for sale and I'll contact them concerning the follow-up re-tensioning.

Unfortunately, the water pump was not replaced last month with the cam belt etc. - however, on the plus side there is no sign of any coolant loss or overheating - so fingers crossed on that one just for the moment.

I'll contact Autowerke here in Norwich for a cam chain/tensioner check up this week. Do you have an idea of the cost of replacement for the tensioner should it be on the way out?

Please could you clarify your comments concerning the gear linkage? Am I doing any harm to the car by driving how it is? Again, please could you give me an indication of the cost of gear linkage replacement?

I'll also get Autowerke to have a look at the steering/engine mounts.

I'll try the procedure you suggest concerning the sun roof. At the moment the front clips are fine and the rear of the sun roof opens and closes no problems - it just seems it tilts open so far and then nothing else happens to enable me to remove the roof.

Thanks again

Mark

Sounds great. As Jim says. Old stat means old pump. You may want to consider changing that. (Pump & stat') Steering shaft is MOT so worry about it when it fails! You need to check the condition of the cam teeth. New tensioner is good news but it's an easy check to do. Where are the Pic's Rather like the S.

Sounds like you have got a very fine car there. Just need to keep up with the running maintenance.

Welcome to the forum.

Regarding the tensioner if you are lucky you may get away with just the slipper, but the chain is well overdue, as for the linkage its probably just wear in the linkage as Jim says, go enjoy, I have with my "unloved 944S" the powerband at 4k revs is quite addictive

I have had my S for nearly 2 years and 25000 miles. Keep up with the servicing and it should give you many happy miles.

(PS just remember the S likes a good thrashing )

Hiya Mark, have you got Boxster wheels on her? only I had the same problem and was told it was the fact the car wasn't designed to run with 255 rears. I may now be told this is absolute horse shit though
Enjoy the "S" though mate, I loved mine

Dear All

Many thanks for all your comments (some images of the car attached)... yes, it has been reblown, but, it's been done to a high standard so I'm o.k. with that.

I think they are the Boxster wheels which have been fitted - would have preferred the teledial wheels, but, on the plus side I think the Boxster wheels make the car look more contemporary.

Ideally, the water pump changed at the same time as the cambelt. I'll just have to live with it for the time being and keep a very close eye on coolant levels and temp gauge. I'll speak with the garage who carried out the cam belt work just to double check there weren't any signs of weaping around the pump.

I will also get the timing chain and tensioner inspected ASAP and replace the gear linkage as I'm sure tightening up the gearshift will make the whole car feel more sorted.

Thanks again to everyone and I'll keep you updated.

Kind regards

Mark

Didn't the S Have the turbo rear lower spoiler? Or was this added after 88 4 it last year? My S looked very much alike at the start off last year.

My 86 'S' didn't have any lower rear spoiler (it does now though )
Interesingly. mine doesn't have the front fogs either (I assume they are fogs under the bumper)

Whenever someone posts re cant get the sunroof out it cracks me up ! , not what your thinking either on my part ( as in scoffing) but exactly the opposite.

I consider myself to be an intelligent chap but I spent so flaming long rattling and puffing over mine the first time ( getting it back in as it happens) that I gave up and turned to Google and the forums to save my sanity ! .

Now I look at it and think how flaming difficult can it be , the answer very difficult indeed if you dont know how , next you'll be looking for the trip meter reset and no I couldnt find that either

Enjoy your car

Mas

I find the SR too much hassle to remove/replace, it's a bit heavy and really a two people job.

Turbo rear spoilers were an option on the "S" until '88 for the run out models, it was also an option on the 2.7