Created: 15/FEB/99.

First Things First...

There's a lot of things you can do to your car iniitally to bring it up to factory-like feel and response again. If you don't want to down the vehicle, better plan on timing belt or clutch jobs for a weekend. When you get to those tasks, that is. Because the timing belt and clutch are not for the inexperienced or faint of heart. If the car is at or near about 120,000 miles, the following pretty much applies to all 944's unless they have clear and reliable service records detailing what's be done to the car.

For starters:

1 - Pull the wheels, check the brakes and rotors. If near or below minimum rotor thickness spec, replace 'em. Replace the wheel bearings and seals too, of course. Check the spindle for cuts.

2 - Replace all fluids. All of them.

3 - Put a bottle of Jectron, Techron, or other such fuel injector cleaner in about 1/4 tank of gas. Get out on the freeway and do what your heart knows best: Run her up to 100 for a bit, more if you can get away with it. Vary the speed/RPMs to change the fuel flow rate and duty cycle on the injectors while the cleaner runs thru them.

4 - On your next refuel, put a bottle of Ventil Sauber (Made by Wurth) or other valve cleaner in about 1/4 - 1/2 tank of gas.

5 - If your ignition wires are original, replace them. Ditto for cap, rotor and plugs if you cannot determine when these were last replaced (i.e., incomplete or no service records.)

6 - By now you might be thinking about new tires...

7 - Rear carrier bearings and CVs. Time to replace.

8 - Suspension. Replace all bushings, shocks and struts. If you have the $$ and the car has 200,000 on the clock, why not replace them springs too?

9 - If they have not been dealt with, eventually you will have to face up to a timing belt replacement. Do all the belts at this time. This means also replacing the balance shaft belt, power steering belt, and the alternator/AC belt.

10 - Someday, it's going to be time for a new clutch. Get a pressure plate/center spring type. This is a big job on a 944; something like 8 hours for a pro and 12 or more for folks like me.

For More information...

Check out the 944 FAQ document. It has lots of great info on model years, changes, and other stuff. Another place of great help to the present or prospective 944 owner can be found by searching the PorscheList 944 archives. To join one of PorscheList's online forums, go to www.porschelist.org

Electrical Problems?

I have a page online which shows the two different 944 fusepanels. This area of the car changed in the mid-1985 model year. Early 944's fusepanels are located inside the car, to the left of the driver's feet, under the dash. Fuses are the glass BUSS type, which are cylindrical in shape. The Late 944 fusepanel is located under the hood, driver's side, at the rear. It is under a black plastic cover which is gasketed to seal moisture out. The cover is firmly held in place with 2 wire clips. Fuses are the newer, small plastic type with two spade terminals.



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