New 944

[the_dr38]

Hi all. I have just bought my first Porsche, a 1990 (G-reg) red 944 S2. It is immaculate apart from a few minor paint chips (which I'm not really worried about). Other than that, cosmetically it is very clean indeed. The paint is very shiny, the interior looks pristine. It's a real head-turner. People actually stop and stare. I picked it up yesterday, price was 3K and I am so far very impressed. Coming from a 1988 Fiesta xr2 there are obviously huge differences. I love the huge surge of power in every gear, I love the styling (very retro) and I find it to be extremely comfortable, despite all of the warnings, not to mention that 3-litre roar as you bury your foot.

There are a few questions I have and a few minor probs I feel I need to rectify in order to make sure the car continues to run smoothly.

The only problem he had with it was the top hose which has just been done. Plus he said sometimes if you start it and don't drive it very far before switching it off then it doesn't like to start again as it hasn't warmed up properly which seems weird. Although I would always give it sufficient time to warm up anyway.

Firstly the fan sometimes stays on when the engine is switched off. This caught me out yesterday as I thought it was on a timer, when I came to start it this morning the batt was flat. This was cured by a jump start and replacing the fuse. However the problem still sometimes persists, resulting in me having to lift the bonnet and disconnect the fuse. Could this be a simple sensor plug on the fan?

Next I was wondering how you reset the trip counter on the speedo as I cant find the button anywhere?

The engine was replaced 30K ago after the cam belt went, bending lots of valves and seems to be fine but the actual mileage is 225K, therefore I am worried about the condition of the gearbox and the clutch. Everything seems ok. I do wonder if it's normal to get a whurring aeroplane sound from behind when cruising in 4th/5th gear. I assume it's just the sound these cars make, if so then great. The reason I worry about the clutch is because today when I'd been sitting in traffic for a long time I noticed that upon pulling away the car would judder quite severely, cured by revving the engine higher. Is this just a result of the clutch heating up and expanding? What is the average life span of a clutch or gearbox on a 944? I assume they are in the danger territory at 225K?

The passenger wing mirror is smashed and loose but stable, resulting in being poorly positioned. Is this a big/expensive job?

It has an electric sunroof which I am told unclips and pulls out. Is it just a case of tilting it up and undoing the 2 clips then lifting?

The cigarette lighter socket doesnt work, meaning that I cant use my Tom-Tom. I have checked the fuse. Any ideas?

Lastly, the gearstick/dash area generally gets quite hot. I just wanted to check if this was normal?

I know these cars are made for the open road and when you get onto one, the car makes so much sense. I am so impressed that a car of this age can deliver such performance in such a head-turning style.

Apologies for this huge post but I want to learn as much about this car as possible so that i can treat it properly.

Pics to follow.

Thanks a lot

Lloyd

 

[Wigeon Incognito]

ORIGINAL: the_dr38

Next I was wondering how you reset the trip counter on the speedo as I cant find the button anywhere?

The only question I dare answer from that selection is the above as it caught me out and seems to catch out almost every new owner!

Look at the vents in the middle of the dash, the bit on the right nearest the instrument binnacle which doesn't actually move when you adjust the vent. In the middle is the button cleverly disguised as a vent fin.

Don't press it unless you're stationary, the gears have a habit of jumping out of place otherwise.

Oh, aeroplane noises - I guess you mean a good old whining noise. A lot of 944s suffer from this so I wouldn't worry about it unless it's really intrusive - changing the transmission oil might help to quieten it down a bit if it hasn't been done recently.

Actually, wing mirror - if you mean it just isn't screwed in properly rather than the mounting point being damaged then no it isn't diffcult to fix/replace and if it's a standard 'flag' rectangular mirror it'll be pretty cheap too. You just need to take the door card (lots of screws but an easy job) off as if I remember correctly it screws into place from inside the door.

One more partial answer, sunroof - no, it doesn't work quite like that. I can't remember it exactly as it's so long since I've done it but I think it's ignition to first position, push button down to lower the arms at the rear, then unclip from the front etc etc but I'm sure somebody will come along with the 100% correct answer soon.

 

[petem]

if its anything to go by my gearstick and coinholder/ashtray general area gets real hot too! im guessin that Porsche Knew this though and thats why it is carpeted under the coin holder

 

[Diver944]

Hi Lloyd and congrats on the purchase []

1. It sound like your fan switch in the radiator is on the way out, luckily they don't cost much. It resides at the bottom of the radiator on the passenger side - some people are able to get it out and replace it without draining the entire cooling system, but make sure you topup and bleed it properly afterwards.

2. The centre of the clutch is made of rubber and over the years starts to break up and cause judder when starting off. It gets worse when hot and can only be fully remedied by changing the clutch which is a £400 part and circa 10 hours labour. If it's still original at 225k it's done very well - mines at 191k and most will have been changed by 100-150k on an S2

3. Replacement mirror will be circa £20 - £30 from a breaker/ebay - red is a very common colour so you should find one easily

4. The sunroof arms retract into the body when you press the up button with the ignition key at position 1. Then undo the front clips and lift out. After use press the down button with the key at Position 1 and the arms will reappear from the body

Checkout the Garage Shop Manual at www.clarks-garage.com for lots of technical guides and common DIY maintenance

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Welcome!

Have a good read back over the threads here, lot's of your questions will have been answered. Along with some of your next questions, as these cars tend to have the same little niggles. []

Taking up one that was briefly mentioned a while ago but never answered properly. My new S2 also gets very hot around the gearstick, not something I ever had on the Lux - or any other car. I guessed there was a heat shield missing and would have it checked at one of the open days coming up, but do all S2s do this?

 

[Peter Empson]

ORIGINAL: pauljmcnulty

Taking up one that was briefly mentioned a while ago but never answered properly. My new S2 also gets very hot around the gearstick, not something I ever had on the Lux - or any other car. I guessed there was a heat shield missing and would have it checked at one of the open days coming up, but do all S2s do this?

Interesting, my Lux (ish) has always got very hot on the tunnel, even when running the original drivetrain and the current one (although I do have still have the original torque tube in place - one of the few original bits []). I'm really not sure if the 944S does, can't say I've ever noticed.

 

[tref]

The mirror is held on by a single screw on teh outside of the car - push teh mirror forwards and the screw is revealed under the back "leg" of teh triangle formed by the base. A very common problem here is the screw misses teh barrel-like nut it is supposed to screw into, and screws down between the correct mounting and doorskin. It then works loose and keeps needing retightening. It is difficult to get it aligned correctly.

 

[Alpine]

ORIGINAL: pauljmcnulty

My new S2 also gets very hot around the gearstick, ............

mine does too Paul, but only after a spirited drive

 

[pauljmcnulty]

mine does too Paul, but only after a spirited drive

Is there another sort of driving? [&:][]