944S 16v

[Guest]

Hi

I need some quick advice, I plan to look at 944S tomorrow but every specialist I've spoken to has said to avoid it!!

They all say that the 16v model has lots of trouble and is v. expensive to fix. Some of you must be running them, so what do you think?

Any input would be great

Thanks

And if anyone has a black 8v or 2.7 let me know

 

[eastendr]

I've got one. The scare is usually about the cost of a replacement of or repair to the head if a problem occurs.

Extra complication over an 8v is the second camshaft (inlet) is chain driven from the exhaust cam. The tensioner assembly needs to be checked regularly to make sure the 'slippers' arn't breaking up. If they do, the chain starts to go slack and takes out the teeth on the cams. look on my site HERE for details of what it should look like.

Beyond that, they are a good driver. The engine has a lot of top end power, but at the expense to low & mid torque. A 944 lux feels to have more torque. Once you are used to it, there's good power to be found in the right gear.

The chain & tensioner arangement is the same as the S2. Apart from that servicing is pretty much the same. Expect seriously good fuel econemy at cruising speeds as well.

HTH

 

[Diver944]

Yep as long as you are aware of the potential problem with the cam chain slipper and tensioner the 16v S is as reliable as any other 944.

Most specialists will charge around £200-300 to replace the chain and slipper so if there is no evidence that this has been done recently then I should budget to do it straight away. By the way this is totally seperate to the cam belt and balance belts that all 944 will have.

The main problem is that Porsche to this day have never ever included this in any scheduled maintenance plan. A wise owner will schedule to replace it every 50,000 miles or 5 years just to be safe.

 

[wedgepilot]

The 16v is a cracking little engine, don't be put off by the scare stories. Also, the 'S' has shorter gearing to make the most of it - it pulls like a train right up to the rev-limiter. If you like high-revving hot-hatch type cars, you'll enjoy the S. []

As for power/torque, the 8v and 16v are identical up to 4000 rpm, then the 16v has a distinct 'step up' in power. That's going by the graphs in the 944 owners manual, by the way. I think the S just feels to be lacking low-down because the top-end ooomph is so pronounced.

All IMHO, and totally biased, of course []

 

[NeilW]

It's the only 944 model with a 6800rpm limit as standard and it only really stops pulling around 300rpm short of that. Modest power by todays standards, but delivered in a very enjoyable manner. I've been through the snapped chain, stripped cams, broken head experience, so yes, you really do need to keep an eye on that chain tensioner.

In my case the failure had nothing to do with lack of maintenance, quite the reverse. I'd just had the plastic ramp replaced but a previous owner had bodged a head repair leaving me a timebomb.

Much as I enjoy my S, have you considered an S2, which seems like an awful lot more car for not an awful lot more money.

Cheers,

Neil

88 944S

 

[eastendr]

Mine's undergoing TLC at the moment.

New chain / belts / Waterpump / bottom hose / thermostat / knock sensor / gearbox / swepco / quickshift / fuel filter / every other bloody thing ...

About time it got done. All precationary stuff really. Might double up as daily drive and track day car when it's done ...