Q – I am thinking of buying a 944 Turbo and I want to know what to expect. The car was kept up very well by the previous owner but he took it to DE so I am concerned about what it will take to get it roadworthy and trackworthy. The car has about 100,000 miles on it and it is located in another state. Specific areas I worry about are oil leaks, timing belt, clutch, and turbo. – Matt
Well Matt, fortunately a 944 Turbo has about half the engine of a 928 S so the money pit will only be about half as deep. Now I am not knocking either model, they are my favorite test drives, but wow can they be expensive. But I digress:
First find a competent Porsche shop that has worked on hundreds of these cars, not just a dozen or so. With these cars, experience counts. Then get a written report of all the visual problems that can be seen and touched. Remember though, a visual inspection only goes so far. If you really want to get to know the car, you have to take it apart to some degree.
A visual inspection will tell you if the car has oil leaks or seepage and you should expect any older 944 to have dampness or dripping. The important issue is where and how much. Since the car is only going to be available for a short time at the shop checking it, ask for oil leak diagnosis as a separate operation of the inspection. Oil wetness should be washed off the powertrain, leak detection dye added then the car can be run in the shop while being viewed with ultraviolet light. If the leak is profound, you will probably find it. If the leaks or seepage are subtle, when you get the car back, you can view it again and see what needs attention. Some common failures are the cam cap seal on the rear end of the cylinder head, oil pan gasket, balance shaft cap seals, oil cooler, oil pressure sending unit, front crank seals and power steering hoses. After twenty years or so, you should expect to reseal all of these areas eventually.
If the car appears to be worthy, I would then have the timing belt cover removed and externally inspected. This costs more but it well worth it. Regarding the timing belt, if the previous owner has service history for the car…and he should…find out when it was done and get a copy of that (and all) invoices. Even with that, if you plan to track the car, expect to have the area restored once you get the car back home. The inspection will just give you an idea of how critical the need is. Replacement is cheap insurance in the long run.
Clutches cannot be inspected for long term condition or durability during a visual inspection. But during a road test by a qualified Porsche technician, an opinion of strength and function is possible. Common problems at this time in a 944s life include clutch slave cylinder and master cylinder failure. If the pedal feels spongy or does not return all the way, or if shifting into reverse produces a grinding sensation, you might have a problem developing in the linkage. The strength of the clutch is easily tested but again, you can’t be sure how long an original clutch will last. My suggestion: Budget for a clutch and use it as long as if feels and functions well. When the time comes, you will be ready since 100,000 miles is a very good lifespan for an original clutch, especially on a car that has been to the track.
Turbo performance is highly subjective. A strong turbo can hide weak engine compression. Therefore, be sure to get a compression and leak down test before you consummate the purchase. This is usually not necessary on normally aspirated cars. A competent evaluator can test drive the car to feel the performance but this is no substitute for a chassis dyno test. One dyno test is worth a thousand “expert” opinions. But if it feels strong and solid, you can do this when you get it home.
Some other things that I would expect to need based on the mileage are: Axle joints, boots, ball joints, radiator, central tube bearings, exhaust hangers or exhaust, rear torsion bar bushings, control arm bushings, motor mounts etc. A pre purchase inspection will help you make an informed purchase but with both eyes wide open, prepare to do a full mechanical restoration on this great handling, four seat sports car. A good internet resource is 944FAQ. MC