Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Hi All,

Just need to vent my frustration once again. Red Dog is at it again! After having the power steering pump and steering rack replaced 3 weeks ago - it's leaking again! I can't believe it. This is the 4th time I've had power steering relating faults in 7 months of owning the car.

I don't know if I've just been unlucky with this car or whether this is a common 944 thing. Whatever it is, my patience is really starting to wear thin now. This car is my daily driver and every time something cocks up it causes me massive work related problems.

I don't know whether this is the car for me anymore. I'm a busy working professional in the NHS with a young family. Unfortunately, my dream car has broken my heart. What do they say about meeting your idols? I've owned many cars over the years and this has been the most unreliable of the lot. What happened to Porsche reliability??

I think the car is the wrong colour. It should have been yellow because in my mind it's a lemon! I hate to admit it, but at least with a euro box you're going to have better reliability. Its a shame really because it is a fantastic handling car, styling etc. Just seems to be more downs than ups really.

Regards,

Ben

It must be the water out your way, as JJ has problems with his PAS again.

I used my 944 as a daily driver and it only let me down once when the alternator failed

Whats leaking? And where did you get your pump from? There are a lot of dodgy pumps out there! I have to say that of all the new parts fitted to my car. This is the first time that I've had this problem. Most of the bits for these are of good quality. The real problem is that when something breaks you can't get one the same day. You have to first find out whats wrong. Order the part. Wait for it. Check it's the right one. Before you can fit it. (Or pay someone else to do it & wait to book it in.) If you don't want the hassle buy a VW Golf. But they break down as well these days! I have a mechanic whose a real enthusiast & that helps a lot as I don't have the time or facilities to do it all my self.
Your cars not a lemon. But you have to expect some pain in the first year of ownership. Thats part of classic ownership. And why most people opt for Nissen Micras. But there all brain dead in my opinion. I'd rather walk or take the train.

Jon Mitchell does recon pumps which he warrants for 12 months. Alternatively Pelican do a rebuild kit in the US for around $50 + ship.

I'm not sure whats leaking on the PAS to be honest JJ. I've not got the facilities to get the car jacked up and look myself. It also makes it difficult to isolate where the leak is with the undertray on. Sorry - I meant drip tray!

All the work has been carried out by Specialist Cars Of Malton - whom are very reputable. I'm sure they'll have fitted decent parts. This is where I purchased the car originally. I can take heart from the fact that it's the same thing going wrong each time and not something different each time. I'm trying to be patient but as I've said before even my usually calm temperament is being tested now.

I love the car but it doesn't love me I guess. I have a busy job and rely on my car to get me round the various hospitals in Yorkshire. So far, I've lost 7 days holiday getting various repairs carried out. Perhaps its a hassle I don't need. Perhaps I should have been more prepared for the woes/joys of classic ownership. I know buying a modern euro box is a no brainer and it won't be a patch on the 944, but everyones got a breaking point (and a broken heart in my case).

Ben

It's not a known commonly recurring fault. Sure they will wear out and fail at some point after 20 years but once replaced will probably go on for another 20 years.

It sounds to me as if the repair is either a) not being done properly, or b) poor quality parts/repaired parts are being used?

Are you sure that the leak is from the power steeering?.It could well be that the aluminium gasket between the oil filter housing and the block has failed, and is allowing engine oil to drip down onto the power steering pump. Alternatively, the fluid reservoir could have cracked, or a hydraulic hose has failed. They are 20 odd years old after all.
A twenty odd year old car is not going to be as reliable as a brand new one which has improved technology,economy and safety,and of course brand new parts. Consider this; what other 20 year old sportscar,other than an MX5, could you even consider relying on as a daily driver.?The rest will have been in a junk yard years ago.
Did you know that there are 2 non-franchised Porsche specialists nearer to you than Malton, Carlton Garage in Birstall and Strasse in Leeds. And I have an inkling there is one around Barnsley as well, although I've not tried them and cannot remember the name.

Forget Barnsley (not a difficult thing to do in reality), I think it is Harrogate.

Its RPM in Harrogate, well Knaresbrough actually

They look after my 3.2

Actually its 2 years & I'm ringing him tommorrow to get one. I want one that works! Porscheshop do a rebuild kit but I don't have a press to pull it to bits so.........Helpful guy JM

Ben you can see the power steering without jacking the car. It's about the only thing on a 944 thats easy to get at I left the tray off mine for now so I see whats going on. You can see the pump with the bonnet open on the left. Just follow the belt from the bottem pulley. From underneath (Drivers side) just in 6" from the spoiler. With the engine ticking over you may see where the oils coming from. It's possible somthings just loose. Lines should have been checked when the new one was put on. But the pump is favourite!

Evening,

Thank you all for your comments. I'll have a good look around the pump and see whats happening. I'm pretty certain it's the power steering as the fluid thats spotting is dark red. I'll let you know what I find.

Ben

had mine up on the ramp last saturday at the open day at sutton coldfield OPC, i have noticed a small drip at the front, and when the undertray was removed the technician noticed 2 leaks, 1 from the oil cooler gasket, and 1 from the high pressure PAS pipe, but both only minor, so worth checking these areas

Weeps from the pipe joints seem to be quite common. Mine does this as do others I've looked at.

Try info@pecarspecialists.co.uk 01226 780237 . We had a visit to their open day in February and some of our members have had work done there and spoken very highly of them.The guys are ex OPC and offer a discount to Tipec members.They are situated near Darfield which is on the East side of Barnsley,easily reached from the A1 Jn 37.

Hi All,

Just to let you know I've had the power steering pump checked over and it is leaking again. New pump again then. The route of the problem seems to lie in that these are reconditioned units. I think someone mentioned they had a couple of pumps before they managed to find one that was ok.

So, when the new pump is fitted, I will have to hold my breath that this one is ok.

Regards,

Ben