924Board.org

[Coolbri1191]

Hi, I have a 1987 Porsche 924S (automatic) and I just got it recently off of craigslist for $850 and it has a few problems.. and I was hoping you guys would be able to help me.

I'll just start with this.. it has absolutely no power steering.

I got some power steering fluid from auto zone (dexron III) and filled up the reservoir and within about 30 minutes (after test driving it, etc) we checked it again and it was completely empty.

My dad and I also noticed that there was no belt on the power steering pump(?) and that it had leaked from the pump itself.

If you want I can supply some pics.. I am new here, so please be nice

Thank you
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Guards Red 1987 Porsche 924S (Automatic)
2001 Ford Explorer Sport (DD)

[Paul]

Welcome to the board and congratulations on the purchase.

Congrats again for knowing not to put power steering fluid in the system, but rather the tranny fluid that you used.

Your car should have 4 belts, 2 you can see and you've noted that the ps belt is missing.

Your hoses are probably 23 years old. One of them could be leaking above the pump, or the pump may be bad.

You need to determine the condition of the belts you cannot see (the camshaft belt and the balance shaft belt). If the camshaft belt slips or breaks your valves will be bent.
_________________
White 87 924S "Ghost"
Silver 98 986 3.6l 320 HP "Frank N Stein"
White 01 986 "Christine"
Polar Silver 02 996TT. "Turbo"
Owned and repaired 924s since 1977
Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.

[Coolbri1191]

thanks for the quick reply! I lucked out so much with this purchase...

I am currently the 3rd owner of this 924S.

The guy I purchased it from(Nerdal was his name) bought it from his gf's dad who was the original owner and I guess frequently used it? (155,000 miles on the odom). He routinely kept the car in check; I have the original manual and maintenance records. But I guess he stopped using the car for about 6 years.. then he sold it to Nerdal for a bottle of scotch!!

Anywho, Nerdal used it for about 3 months, but all he did was change out the spark plugs, fuel filter, fuel pump, and new front tires. He ended up getting a Honda Civic from a friend in exchange for mustang car parts and now uses that.. so it sat AGAIN for another 3 months. He had no other reason to keep it so he put it on craigslist and I bought it.


My dad is a porsche enthusiast and has owned a 67' 911S, 73' 911 2.4T, 63' 356B Cabriolet, and a '64 356 SC (which he restored). I have many more problems to list for my 924S, but I'm just going to start with this power steering issue first. What kind of belt should I get for the pump? Thanks for your valuable information, I greatly appreciate it.
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Guards Red 1987 Porsche 924S (Automatic)
2001 Ford Explorer Sport (DD)

[Paul]

Most of us replace the timing belt and the balance shaft belt, plus all the rollers and tensioners every 30,000 miles or 3 years (whichever comes first) so you really need to check these before starting the car again.
_________________
White 87 924S "Ghost"
Silver 98 986 3.6l 320 HP "Frank N Stein"
White 01 986 "Christine"
Polar Silver 02 996TT. "Turbo"
Owned and repaired 924s since 1977
Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.

[Coolbri1191]

yikes! okay, how would my dad and I check to know if they're in good shape or not? My dad will probably know.. but I'm just wondering

btw, I'm getting a Haynes Automotive Repair Manual off of ebay. Should help, right?
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Guards Red 1987 Porsche 924S (Automatic)
2001 Ford Explorer Sport (DD)

[Paul]

You'll want the one for a 944.

Plus take a look here:

http://clarks-garage.com/shop-manual/repair-procedure-index3.htm
_________________
White 87 924S "Ghost"
Silver 98 986 3.6l 320 HP "Frank N Stein"
White 01 986 "Christine"
Polar Silver 02 996TT. "Turbo"
Owned and repaired 924s since 1977
Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.

[Coolbri1191]

oh wow thanks!!!

and yes it is for the porsche 944

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320483606923&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT
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Guards Red 1987 Porsche 924S (Automatic)
2001 Ford Explorer Sport (DD)

[gohim]

The Haynes Manual for the 944 is practically worthless. To get most of the information on servicing a 924S, you need both the Haynes 924, and the Haynes 944 Manuals. Unfortunately these manuals aren't like the Haynes Manuals written for cars in the 60s and 70s. There are huge gaps in the information, and tons of mistakes in the torque setting listed.

There is no doubt that the critical timng and balance shaft belts are way past their usable service life. The engine should not be started or the car driven until the FOES (front of engine service) has been completed.

[Coolbri1191]

so I pretty much just blew $15 on junk? Thanks for letting me know, gohim. is the FOES a pretty tough job? I'm going to take a wild guess and say yes
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Guards Red 1987 Porsche 924S (Automatic)
2001 Ford Explorer Sport (DD)

[gohim]

FOES = Expensive Maintenance Parts.

Some Expensive Specialty Tools (only used on watercooled Porsches) are necessary to do a FOES.

FOES can be done sucessfully by Shadetree Mechanics BUT, you need a good DYI OR the Factory Service Manual, AND YOU MUST BE ABLE TO FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS WITHOUT SHORTCUTTING.

The Haynes Manual is ONLY good as an emergency reference manual to keep in the trunk for on the road breakdowns, and incase you have a personal emergency requiring TP.

[Coolbri1191]

alright, seems like I got a lot of work ahead of me, I will talk with my dad in the morning.

Just curious, how much would it be to have a mechanic do all this?
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Guards Red 1987 Porsche 924S (Automatic)
2001 Ford Explorer Sport (DD)

[gohim]

Cost of a FOES depends on where you buy the parts. I don't recommend some generic parts, as the quality is very poor. There appears to be only one company that makes aftermarket waterpumps. The quality is very poor, as is the quality of many aftermarket rebuilt waterpumps. The waterpump is critical as it's driven by the timing belt, and it sits under the timing cover where a leak comtaminates and weakens the timing and balance shaft belts. If either the timing or balance shaft belt breaks or the timing belt jumps a few teeth, severe damage or total engine destruction is the result.

Parts for a complete FOES can range anywhere from between $600 for all generic parts to over $1000 for all Genuine Porsche Parts. Genuine Porsche Parts comes with a 2 year, unlimited mileage warranty. The Warranty on generic parts is anywhere between no-warranty amd as year (maybe). I've been total that some people have mechanics who will do the labor for $500, while I think it runs $1000 or more, from an Authorized Porsche Dealer (labor cost is covered incase of failure of parts with warranty from Porsche).

The belt tension needs to checked every 10K miles, as well as when teh belts are changed, and 1k miles after new belts have been installed (to adjust for belt stretch). If you are going to deal with the belt installation, and belt tension checking you need a special belt tension measuring tool (P9201). The official tool costs $500 with the calibration tool.

There are some other tools required, if you are going to do the FOES yourself. A set of the official tools will set you back $1000. There are alternatives available at lower cost. The only tool that I would not use a substitute for is the P9201. Personally I have a mix of aftermarket alternative tools, except for the P9201.