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New to 944's

Ian B Walker

New member
New here so I would like to say hello. Bought a mint 944 last week for £500. 88500 miles showing on the clock (think it has had a new speedo). I had forgotten what it feels like (Being a Multipal Mercedes Owner) to throw the back end out and have some fun. Now the bad news, today I blew the head gasket. Anything I should be aware of while stripping and rebuilding it?

Thanks
IanW
 
Shit man.

Well first of all welcome to our little gang. And secondly, never buy a 944 for £500..

Cant offer any advice pal, sorry, just encouragment.. They can be a pain in the arse but once the niggles are all ironed out they pay you back in fun. And yeah, rear wheel drive rocks, especially on roundabouts, and especially, especially on roundabouts in the wet.

Rock on fella.
 
Welcome to 944 ownership and the forum. Wow, £500 is a bargain. One things for certain it'll need some work but it might turn out to be a very very shrewd purchase. As Darren says it will reward your patients and hard work if you stick with it. Regarding the head gasket job, check the rollers and tensioners as now is the time to replace them. Similarly the water pump. Also replace the balance shaft belt which has a different service interval than the timing belt, even though in theory they 'fail safely - they can take out the timing belt if they fail. Also make sure the timing belt is tensioned properly and the tension is checked after about 1000 KM and any necessary adjustment made. Also, only use genuine Porsche parts. There are plenty of jobs on a 944 where you can save money buying non-oem parts, however this is not one of those jobs you should be scrimping on! Good luck.
 
Hi, i'm in a similar situation to you...I'm a newbie to 944 ownership, I paid 600 quid for mine with tax and mot, although the gearbox is currently out, awaiting repacement! But from what I've seen from my car, the 944 isn't as hard to work on as Mercs or BMWs, and if you've ever worked on VW/Audis, then they really hold few surprises....

Don't worry about buying a cheap 944, It can be a great introduction to the breed- I'm already hooked after only a couple of weeks ownership, also, there are some great breakers about...I use FranklinHill Porsche in Balsall Common, Coventry- check out their ebay shop...[;)]
 
Ian: What are the symtoms of your suspect head gasket problem? It might be something more simple.
 
Deffo the head gasket. Spent today at my works removing the head. Not only has the gasket gone but the head has erroded away.

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All my engine re builds start at Blackpool Road and Rally. First thing in the morning is a trip over there and talk nicley to Steve. See if he can do a 24 hr turn around. Obviously new gaskets, re cut the valve faces, lap in the valves, get the head pressure tested and then put it all back together again. It would be stupid not to replace the cam belt and the other one seen in there. Anyone any advice on setting up the cam belt tension. Have read sometghing about a special tool needed. Old belt setting 2.7 new belt setting 4. Whats all that about? With a lot of luck it should be on the road again by Wednesday
 
looks like the head its scrap . i'd think about a replacement engine from a breakers or ebay
 
I beg to differ. I have sucsessfully had heads welded in the past for both Mercedes and Mitsubishi. BR&R will offer me a 12 month warranty (always have in the past). I don't see me scrapping either the engine or the head.
 
lol ok it can be welded and machined/polished back into shape but end of the day its a 500 quid car! how much is a rebuild?? 700 atleast? may aswell get a donor car for that and make a good one out of the 2 and have loads of spares
 
I only have to do the head [;)] Total cost of head work will be in the region of £70. Don't forget I own a vehicle workshop and get good prices. Yes a total engine rebuild would set me back £770. But two things,

a) Not 100% sure you can rebore these engines
b) It doesnt require a re build insofar as boring etc
 
Hello Ian,
Malley should be able to help you out, he know one or two things about engines.
1 - Where the ignition key goes.
2 - How to remove horse boxes from their wheels.

You can tell him I said so and he'll probably call me a one legged bast4rd in reply. [:)][:)]

Cheers,
 
LMAO
ORIGINAL: Fred Hindle

Hello Ian,
Malley should be able to help you out, he know one or two things about engines.
1 - Where the ignition key goes.
2 - How to remove horse boxes from their wheels.

You can tell him I said so and he'll probably call me a one legged bast4rd in reply. [:)][:)]

Cheers,
 
dont forget ??? lol i didnt know [:D] . cant fault 70 notes for a freshen up ! cam and lifters ok?

dont suppose it matters on a nat asp motor too much but does welding the chamber give hot/cold spots? .
 

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