924Board.org

headstrong2740 · Joined: 29 Apr 2010 Posts: 111 Location: Moline IL

Ok im looking at pruchaaing a gentlemans porsche 944. He is the third owner and is a 88 i think.

The car is in good shape body and interior. The problem is he went to start it one day and it wouldnt start. Ran fine till then, but now will not start. It has fuel, air, and spark.. but not catching ( this is all his words)

It has a newish fuel pump in (he said he replaced it a little while ago).

Thats all he has as to the car not running.

and for those interested the timing belt was just replaced 15k miles prior to this but will probably replace it to be safe if i buy it.

Its a 5sp manual and the rubber damper he says is aged so will need attention eventually. Any ideas on first places to look??

I remeber hearing about sensors on the flywhell and in that area that are common for not letting it start. what are those called and any ideas on prices?

Sorry i know this is a hard one and on a 944 but any ideas could help me decide to get it or not
_________________
1987 924s "Enzo"
2002 1.8t VW Passat
http://porsche924resto.shutterfly.com/ - follow the progress of "Enzo"

TJC · Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 1:32 am Post subject:

How many miles on this car and when was it last started?

There are two speed/reference sensors and a TDC sensor located on the bellhousing.

Rubber damper? I'm not sure what you are referring to here.

Has he performed a leak down or compression test?

Sounds like a $500.00 car to me unless you can get more info.
_________________
'95 BMW 318i/5 ..."Pearl"
'87 Porsche 944 NA... "Liebchen"
'02 Porsche Boxster..."Sunbeam"
'04 BMW X3..."Xander"
Still on the Prowl!

www.ttrs1.com

headstrong2740 · Joined: 29 Apr 2010 Posts: 111 Location: Moline IL

it has 65k miles on it... I asked if the miles gauge worked and said it does.

it has been sitting for about a year or so and has not started in a bit
- this would mean new belts (timing) and such
-new oil and fluids, and probably check the tank for water
-the tires on it now probably have flat spots too

Those are the sensors i was looking for though. Im figureing one of those failed to cause it not to start... Granted could be a number of other things as well.. i will test the car on site before the final purchase though.

He says it has fuel spark and.. but who knows.. Im looking to see if he will hold the car till may so i can test it (for a small amount in return for it) and then if i am fine with it.. ill purchase it from him...

Im surprised you think 500 cause i was not htinking that low.. but at the same time now that i think about it.. sounds good for a non running car.

Any other takers on advice or prices to offer... he wants an offer but no real idea on where to start.. and dont want to give more then i should
_________________
1987 924s "Enzo"
2002 1.8t VW Passat
http://porsche924resto.shutterfly.com/ - follow the progress of "Enzo"

gohim · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 4459 Location: Rialto, CA

I would be suspicious of someone who remarks that the rubber dampener needs to be replaced.

Try to get a more information from the guy like how long he's owned it (he could be a flipper with no idea of the actual condition of the car).

As has been already mentioned, 5-speed manual transmission cars do not have a rubber dampener on them (it replaces the clutch in the clutch housing on automatic transmission cars).

There is a dampener in the fuel system, and a defective one could keep the car from starting (mounted on the top of the engine, it should be on the opposite side of the fuel rail on a 86 and newer 2.5L engine). On 85 and older cars, the FPR (fuel pressure regulator) and Dampener were on the same side of the fuel rail. The fuel pressure regulator and the dampener have check valves in them that hold the pressure in the fuel system when the engine is shut off.

headstrong2740 · Joined: 29 Apr 2010 Posts: 111 Location: Moline IL

I was wondering what he ment by rubber damper. Im going back through the emails now to see if he ment it for the clutch or if i miss read it.

" The ac probably needs to be charged, the back wiper motor is shot and the clutch rubber damper is aged. "

That is what he said. He said he has had it for a few years and drove great till until stopped and he has sat since. this is almost two years now i believe.

Says he will not have time to work on it this spring and instead of it sitting he wants to sell it.

Still sounds like 500 would be a good starting point to you guys though?
_________________
1987 924s "Enzo"
2002 1.8t VW Passat
http://porsche924resto.shutterfly.com/ - follow the progress of "Enzo"

TJC · Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 4:30 am Post subject:

The clutch disc had a rubber center instead of using springs to absorb shock...so it looks like he is suggesting that it needs a clutch job as well...$500.00 tops for sure now! May end up being not much better than a parts car.
_________________
'95 BMW 318i/5 ..."Pearl"
'87 Porsche 944 NA... "Liebchen"
'02 Porsche Boxster..."Sunbeam"
'04 BMW X3..."Xander"
Still on the Prowl!

www.ttrs1.com

headstrong2740 · Joined: 29 Apr 2010 Posts: 111 Location: Moline IL

Sounds like 500 is what i will offer then. Ill let him know what i know baout it and go from there.. if he wants more.. then i will tell him to look else where then.

just read his ad again and just realized it states will need clutch job soon. so yes 500 it is. The problem i see is that pelican parts does not offer this clutch kit anymore (the rubber center)

and ideas where i should look if i decide to pursue this car? and if i decide to get it running. But right now its sounding like it needs alot more work then worth.. but i do love these cars.... and got hooked real fast
_________________
1987 924s "Enzo"
2002 1.8t VW Passat
http://porsche924resto.shutterfly.com/ - follow the progress of "Enzo"

gohim · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 4459 Location: Rialto, CA

You don't want a rubber center clutch disc anyway. Porsche stopped selling them and went to the Sachs spring center clutch disc (first offered on the aftermarket) years ago. If you're not going to install the clutch yourself, you better allow $800-$1000 for labor, besides the $700-$1000 for parts (yes I know clutch kits advertise for less than that, but there are lots of parts that need to be replaced besides the clutch disc, pressure plate, and throwout bearing).

So figure $1500-$2000 for the clutch replacement, and $1200-$1500 for the FOES, plus the cost of parts and labor to figure out why the engine won't run.

The body better be in great condition, because by the time you get the car running, you'll have dropped in more than it would cost you to buy a running car (but it will be in good mechanical condition).

TJC · Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 11:54 am Post subject:

^+1, it's a parts car. If I remember right, you'll be home from deployment soon...take your time and look for a decent car in person rather than sending your hard earned, and well deserved bucks, out to some guy that apparently hasn't taken care of his car. You can do better.
_________________
'95 BMW 318i/5 ..."Pearl"
'87 Porsche 944 NA... "Liebchen"
'02 Porsche Boxster..."Sunbeam"
'04 BMW X3..."Xander"
Still on the Prowl!

www.ttrs1.com

TJC · Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2011 12:39 pm Post subject:

Hate to do this to you but just some food for thought

.

If your're willing to go through all of the effort to make a $500.00 car into a perhaps $3500.00-$4000.00 car by investing more than that, maybe you should check something like this out and make your effort really worthwhile:

http://mohave.craigslist.org/cto/2249455829.html

If this car is still available you may get it for maybe $4000.00. You can see by reading the ad that he has dropped the price from $6000.00 to $5000.00. And if you discount the BS factor, it may be capable of a bit over 300HP. Plus you get all of the new chassis goodies as well. If, as he states, has all of the bits to put it back together you may wind up with one helluva deal...and with a cash outlay that could be equal to or maybe even less than what you could spend on a "normal" 944 project...who's to say?

I was seriously considering looking at this car myself, if for nothing more than for parts, since his location is only about 45 minutes from my house, but I have since purchased a 911 engine for our Westy and that conversion will be taking up my time.
_________________
'95 BMW 318i/5 ..."Pearl"
'87 Porsche 944 NA... "Liebchen"
'02 Porsche Boxster..."Sunbeam"
'04 BMW X3..."Xander"
Still on the Prowl!

www.ttrs1.com

headstrong2740 · Joined: 29 Apr 2010 Posts: 111 Location: Moline IL

the labor im not to worried about, but more or less this is starting to look more and more like a parts car which is fine. I would not mind having one anyway for future projects.

I was wondering if the clutch had been dicontinued and that was why it was not for sale anymore. This is good to know as well.

TJM- the car you listed does look interesting but i dont feel like putting the money into somthing that has been so heaviy modified and "got carried away with the boost"
did a project like this once.. will not do that again LOL

the guyn emailed me back and said he would hold it only if im seriouse about it and would see if he can get it running before i get home.

Yes the body and interior look pretty good to be honest.. no cracks no tears in interior, all knobs and items in place (updated radio) the only downside is the car not running.

He wants 2000 for it if it runs but 1500 if not... so i think i will need to pass on it anyway. Thats to much for it in my opinion. Im going to shoot back the price of 500 non running and about 800 if it runs since so much will still have to be dropped in it for the FOES and the Clutch.

thats if i decide to put the money in it to get it up again..

thanks for the advice.. keep it coming in
_________________
1987 924s "Enzo"
2002 1.8t VW Passat
http://porsche924resto.shutterfly.com/ - follow the progress of "Enzo"

headstrong2740 · Joined: 29 Apr 2010 Posts: 111 Location: Moline IL

I got an email back from the gentleman asking for more than 500. He said its been a well taken care of and is just now starting to show age and only sat for a year

I told him good luck on trying to sell it and that I would have to pass on it then.

I think ill see an email from him in May when I get home seeing if i still want it.

He doesnt seem to be having luck selling it and is already selling off the winter set of tires and rims to try to get some money out of it.

thanks for all the advice and ill be looking for a nice 944 when i get home to add to my collection

_________________
1987 924s "Enzo"
2002 1.8t VW Passat
http://porsche924resto.shutterfly.com/ - follow the progress of "Enzo"