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kike924 · Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 12:09 am Post subject: Engine Life???

I just saw in my Porsche mechanic shop a beautiful 1990 944S2 that the actual owner is maybe interested in selling but...
The car has 194000 kms (about 121000 miles) and that makes me wonder about the remaining life in that engine????
The car looks very well maintained but it is used every day for about 65 miles
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Euro 924 1980 N/A
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5150 · Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 12:49 am Post subject:

Dunno, but on the day we went to look at our 924 (we bought from a local private porsche specialist) a guy rolled what initially looked like a very sick 944 in... I'd never thought about a porsche before and wanted a measure of the garage we were buying from, so i got chatting to this guy.... his 944 looked in good condition, but man it was pouring oil all over the place, his initial assumption was something big time was up with the motor... "250,000 miles and this is the first time it's broken down" he said...

I listened in on the conversation:

"you've just had this serviced haven't you."
"yes"
"you didn't get it done here though!"
"no, i was away for a while so i just called in at a place where i was staying before the long drive home, it's been fine all the way back until the last few miles, is it bad?"
"the bloody oil filter's fell off! No damage though, there's still plenty of oil running out!"

lol.... I've never seen a bloke look so relieved...

I guess like anything else, if the car and the engine have been well looked after then they should last a hell of a long time, if they've been mis-treat then you're looking at some bills at some point.. it's a risk we all take, but i'm certainly impressed with the motors on these cars....
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Graphite? Grey Metallic '85 (late model) 944 2.5

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Eturbo924 · Joined: 09 Nov 2002 Posts: 2212 Location: Londonderry NH

Well to address the 944S2 first. Yes they are very good cars. Reliable and should give about 200-250k miles before they need a serious rebuild. That is not to say that some have not burned out rings and such and or thrown belts or timing chains and been destroyed much more quickly. If the clutch, timing belts, timing chains and other major engine issues have always been maintained and are up to date I would feel confidnent in the motor. Have a leak down and compression test performed on it.... as well as a comprehensive inspection of course. The cost to repair one of those engines can quickly add up to 1/2 the cost of your initial investment.

On the oil changes. Hahah... well here in USA there are hundreds of charges against jiffy lube... quick lube company. Seems there are many people getting their oil changed and driving off to find that their oil plug falls out a few miles down the road. Hmm you would think the oil light and sky rocketing temp might give them a clue.....

But many do it to themselves on purpose to get cash for their car. Get the service done.... drive off.... loosen the plug to the point it is just about out... then put a claim in on Jiffy lube. I am currently switching into the insurance adjuster field that is how I know.
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Roger · Joined: 06 Jan 2003 Posts: 1235 Location: Cordova, TN

A well maintianed engine can go 200k or more, a compression test will tell you alot. At 194k make sure you dont overpay for the car. It probably will need a complete rebuild in the near future.
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1981 924 NA

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Mikri184 · Joined: 12 Sep 2003 Posts: 746 Location: Ferndale, WA

A very well maintained car can last forever. Check out Volvo's and Mercedes Million Mile clubs. I have seen many cars see in the 300K and up. and still going strong. Heck, I just sold a 250K GTI, that still runs great and doesn't smoke or burn oil. Never been rebuilt. But then I have a 120K 79 924 in my shop now that has a rod knock. It's all about weather you take care of it or not. Oil change regularly, drive it by manufacturers standards, WHich may surprise you. Use of premium fluids including gas. No additives. And never let things go unchecked.Thereis No reason a car shouldn't last a life time.

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Khal · Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 2:48 pm Post subject:

Dunno much about engine longevity in these cars... mine's been rebuilt at least once but it was for performance upgrade purposes. It's got 160,000+ original km's (nearly 100,000 miles) on it and is still as tight as a drum. I tend to agree with Mikri184.

But it is interesting to note (I've done some limited personal research in this area) that all the taxi drivers I've talked to swear blind that they get well over 300,000 km's -sometimes 500,000+ km's -out of their engines without any major work beyond regular servicing and replacement of minor ancilliaries. All I have talked to credit this to the fact that their cars spend 90% of their lives at optimum operating temperature i.e. they're not stopped and started all the time. And, despite numerous taxi anecdotes to the contrary, the cars/engines are never really thrashed either.
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