newbie questions!

[Chris Goodman]

Hi everyone - just transferred from white 911SC to black 944 Turbo SE!

Some (probably) dumb questions:

1) The brakes don't seem very effective - or at least they require a heavy push to be effective - is this typical?? I've read other posts about red calipers on SE's but mine are black - are they original?

2) The furthest left switch in the row infront of the gear lever doesn't seem to do anything, has no 'picture' on it, and in my driver's manual the switches are shown in a different order - is it a 'blank' or is it doing something I just haven't noticed?

3) How do I cure the rattle from the hatchback over rough surfaces? I've tried adjusting the length of the conical-ended bolts but if they are long enough to let the hatchback lock closed then I get the rattle.

4) There is a vertical metal pipe (looks like a breather) at the left rear of the engine blanked off with duct tape(!) - what is it and what was there before the duct tape??

5) The 944 seems so quick and has such a good driving position - why does anyone buy a 911?

Chris

 

[John Sims]

A few questions to be going on with then Chris.

Welcome to the happy breed of front engined water cooled Porsche owners.

1. SE front callipers are black as standard. Some of use have painted ours red 'cos they look nice, others have upgraded to "Big Reds" even bigger callipers and discs from the 993 Turbo - called "Big Reds" 'cos they are big and red.

The standard brakes aren't generally known as being poor, although you can over heat them if you realy go for it like a nut case round the track. Do you know what pads you've got? they might have been changed for harder pads due to a prefernence for track days. I have standard Porsche pads and they made the front wheels filthy in no time at all.

2. My furthest left switch was a blanking plate although it now houses my alarm LED.

3. Don't know.

4. Could you post some pictures then we might be able to give you more of an idea.

5. As an ex 911 man you should be well qualified to answer that one. We don't tend to tell too many people how good 944's are just in case the prices go up to 911 levels. []

 

[Fen]

ORIGINAL: Chris Goodman
5) The 944 seems so quick and has such a good driving position - why does anyone buy a 911?

Ooooh you smooth talker, you know all the right buttons to press in this forum, don't you? Actually I think the 911 is a more special car, but don't tell the other guys...

1. Brakes shouldn't be like that but it's common. There are steel plates either end of the pads to stop the aluminium callipers from being worn by the pad backing plates, and these react with the aluminium and corrode over time (especially if salt gets in behind them in the winter) and cause them to swell and eventually bind the whole thing up. It's not a difficult fix but it involves heat and the sela are very expensive if they get toasted, so it may be better left to a specialist.

2. My cab has a completely plain switch which (I believe) is to turn off the ultrasonic part of the factory alarm - could that be it? You should also have one for the mirrors, the sunroof and the central locking.

3. The hatch should be ably to be made quiet by adjusting the pins. You should have to push down quite firmly on both ends to close a properly adjusted one - that keeps the seal better and also helps it to pop open by itself when you push the release button (no, really it is supposed to open by itself when released!)

4. I think the pipe you're talking about is for a diagnostic plug. It should have a cap over it. Mine came off once and I ended up with a splatter of oil on the bottom of the bonnet. A replacement wasn't expensive.

5. Charisma, engine sound, throttle response. [Fen ducks behind a solid object]

Edited to add I hadn't seen John's response until after I posted...

 

[Diver944]

Welcome Chris

1. What Fen and John said, but I also find my SE brakes need a hard prod on the stop pedal, they work very well but the pedal effort is high. I would still check everything out though, especially those callipers plates. A good check is if it is a struggle to remove the pads then the plates need doing. Has the fluid been replaced recently?

2. I believe Fen is right, it disables the ultrasonics from the original alarm, so you can leave a window or sunroof open.

3. I adjusted my hatch many times trying to stop the rattles []. It was finally cured by a new seal from Porscheshop (£29). It was amazing how crushed the old one was in comparison with the new. It now makes a nice tight seal and no rattles

4. Without a pic I believe that is a hole for an oxygen tester (not the integral lambda sensor but something for the mechanics). If it is that one it should have a rubber cap.

5. [][][] The 911 is the iconic Porsche that everyone knows about, glad to see you are trying the 944 too

 

[Chris Goodman]

Many thanks for both replies. Sorry so many questions all at once.

I'll shorten the hatchback pins still further - I adjusted them so that it closes fairly easily and wondered if that was right.

Sounds like I'd better get a professional to check the brakes - although I did get the car inspected by PCT / Autobahn in Coventry but I don't know how much dismantling they did. My 'points of comparison' are with the 911 and my daily-driver (an old Merc 'S' class - well kept secret of cheap business motoring!) so maybe I'm just not used to them yet. Of course it could also be that I'm just travelling more quickly in the Turbo!!

Chris

 

[Guest]

I started off with a 911 3.2 too, but broke one of the 10 commandments (thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's 944T) when I drove it. 944T and I ran away together and have been illegally co-habiting eversince. 944T gives me my brand of handling, brakes and suspension. Easier to control on the limit, too.

As for the 911, can't bring myself to flog it, so I look forward to the noise it makes, the in-you-face looks and the feeling pf driving a piece of history.

Basically, everyone should have both a wife AND a mistress