Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Hi all I'm new to the forum, I've come across a Porsche 944 belonging to a family friend, that he's owned since '92 but the last time it was on the road is apparently 2004. Its a 1987 944 in guards red with 100k miles on the clock, has quite abit of paperwork all old mots etc. Its been sat in his garage since then though and not moved. The bodywork is in good condition doesnt seem to be any rust to the sills as I guess its been garaged for most of its life. The brakes I presume are seized as it wouldn't even roll out of position when we gave it a quick try??

Would this be a huge money pit to get back on the road? Just after some advice on them but basically its mine for free it I want it. First things first I would need to get the brakes freed and it trailed to my garage, then see if it starts I guess with a new battery and all fluids changed (luckily its only a few miles away from me).





Thanks,

Josh

Hope you give it a go.

The bodywork is often the expensive issue to get an old 944 back on the road. If it's been in the garage, should be ok.

Mine had been dry-stored for several years before seeing daylight again. Like you say, fluid change and battery but also the timing belts must be high on list of priorities. Should be changed every five years so a must by now.
When mine came back into action, the oil had conjealed in the filler pipe, which is also the breather pipe. Use to get a flow of oil back out and ended up with a protective oils slick under the car.

There's always people mre knowledgable than me on here who can help with queries.

I'd agree with Richard plus add the need to change the tyres.

I bought a garage queen a few years back which had covered less than 1000 miles over the previous 10 years. The po had polished the car and only taken it to the MOT station and one show per year, however he had changed the oil and filters every year religiously so I was a step or two ahead.

Whilst the car bodywork and interior was superb, I ended up changing the tyres and rebuilding brakes, suspension, steering. I replaced all bushes and hoses plus the battery as a matter of course. All fluids were replaced and all rubber components were replaced.

Both window motors, tailgate release motor and sunroof motors and their associated mechanical linkages needed stripping, cleaning, lubricating and refreshing due to lack of use. Also all electrical connections were disassembled and cleaned.

Whilst it may sound like a lot of work and relative expense, with the exception of the clutch master and slave cylinders failing (again due to the lack of use) I've had six years of trouble free use in a car that looks and drives superbly and hopefully will continue to do so for many years....and all for the cost of a second hand Ford Fiesta!...I know what I'd prefer to own

Managed to get her moved today, just the one n/s rear brake that was stuck. Nothing a 4 x 2 timber and some leverage against the wheel studs wouldn't budge. Got a powerpack onto the battery and the electrics seem to be working fine, windows etc. Have ordered a new battery then its time to see if she turns over...

Good luck with it!

As with any car thats not seen much use in a long time, you will probably get a host of small niggles for a while and then once past that years of enjoyable motoring. My turbo is better now its being used daily by a long shot that when it was only used occasionally.

looking good, more pics please

I agree with Andy, using a car more regular seem to make things go much more smoothly. I am now using my 944 as a second car so it has every other day use and although niggles are appearing nothing major as of yet. Good luck.

C'mon make a go of it. They're fun to work on plus you hit it for free!

Just to update this, the 944 has had new oil, oil filter, air filter, spark plugs, coolant. Managed to get the starter motor working and she's running quite well now. The front and rear discs will be changed shortly as they looked a bit worse for wear and might as well do the pads at the same time. Then its MOT time hopefully on Monday.

Can anyone recommend a specialist or someone competent at carrying out a cambelt change (possibly water pump as well), local to me (east midlands/ Leicestershire) and at a reasonable rate?

Josh

I've heard good reports about PH Sportscars at Shardlow, altho' never used them myself, apart for s/h parts

Got the 944 through its MOT now, had new discs and pads all round on it. Given it its first wash and looking to machine polish it soon. The interior electrics all seem to work fine, with the exception of the rear wiper and boot release, but these should be simple fixes. Haven't driven it much other than back from the MOT as still need to get the cambelt and water pump done but hoping to find someone local that will do it on the side for me.



Josh

I'd give EMC Motorsport in Birmingham a go. Ask for either Kevin or Alex and say Chas sent you:). On my S2 years ago they were quite well priced and did a sterling job (albeit, the car went in for other things).

That looks like quite a find if I am honest! Got for free as well is always a good thing .

PH Sportscars in Shardlow.

Just received the car back yesterday from Cavendish Porsche in Long Eaton, Nottingham. Very good service, kept me well informed of the progress throughout... they also arranged for it to be collected by a recovery vehicle and did the belts all in for £220+ VAT. Water pump and rollers/ idlers inspected and in their opinion did not need to be changed.

Whilst it was with them I decided to have the brake, clutch and coolant fluids changed, also a new slave cylinder as the clutch seems to be sticking down on occassion. This however doesn't seem to have solved the problem so maybe its the master cylinder at fault. Either way neither were showing signs of any leaks?

Also just to clarify, the previous owner gave it to me on premiss that I would get it road worthy and return to him his private plate (probably worth more than the car). I have now been able to do as the vehicle is mot'd and insured thus allowing the transfer of the plate onto retention.

A few photos after a clean up. Next things to sort are the interior seats (retrim or repair) and alloys (refurb or new set of teledials needed).

That looks very nice, the interior is in good nick as well. All cloth is quite unusual, most are 1/2 vinyl