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Porsche 944 - Common Problems and Buying Guide

CashedOutCars

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Looking at buying a used Porsche 944? In this video we go over common problems and maintenance items that come up on them! This video could be treated as a buyer's guide as we cover most things to look for on a used Porsche 944, 944S and S2. Common maintenance issues include timing belts, cruise control failing, rubber cracking and deteriorating, sunroof mechanisms failing, cam chains and guides failing on 944S and S2s, rear hatch glass separating from the frame, power steering racks leaking, dash cracking, odometer failing, and more. We cover how to check for these issues!

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20 Comments

@thaddeusforsythe1173 7 years ago

Replace the belts, even if they look good, every 45,000 miles. I've restored MANY of these cars, trust me. Also, if the belt breaks, you do NOT need a new engine... you'll only need to have your intake/exhaust valves replaced.

@cshocks7 7 years ago

The rubber grommet near the distributor is how you inspect the timing belt. Learned of it from another source. About to get a 944 soon. 😊

@Manic_Mitch.official 7 years ago (edited)

The thumbnail said Nine hundred and forty four problems. Jeez i dont think i want to get one anymore

@Riez_00 7 years ago (edited)

I take a bus to work currently and on my way to work there's a mechanic shop that the bus always passes and outside the shop there's a 944 that seems to be being repaired, it's been in the same spot for a while now but it always catches my eye every time I pass.

@christopherkast8045 5 years ago

Another common problem is a leaking power steering pump but the
Seal and gasket kit to rebuild the pump is only $30. Just remember to remove the high pressure side Line first before removing the pump

@recyclespinning9839 6 years ago (edited)

Awesome, I am a bit older dude and never really learned how to work on cars. Great to see you guys so young and this knowledge and know how. You can make a great career and the trouble shooting you learn can transfer to many jobs. 👍

@christopherkast8045 5 years ago

The upper engine cover does not "pop off" . There are 8 bolts to remove, two of which are difficult to access

@stephenmichalchuk1584 4 years ago

Your pretty accurate with those. I have had every one of them at least once on the 2 944s that I have. The leather on the gear shift, driver seat will crack and tear, up and down switch on the driver side seat will get brittle and break, the switches for the sun roof, mirror and audio balance just behind the gear shift will break or the markings on them will wear. Remember that these cars are 35 years old!

@cet777 7 years ago

Great video guys, thanks for posting. As a 944 owner I think Gus has the better car but then again I just might be biased..😁 keep up the great videos gentlemen.

@Qtrfoil 4 years ago (edited)

Old 944 S2 guy here, this is really solid work, guys, thanks! Good call on the odometer BTW.

@devorahacts 6 years ago (edited)

Many thanks for the video guys! Clutch and Transaxle (back end of transmission) seem to fail together, turning expensive to super expensive. A sun roof has a hatch that opens up and out and usually can be removed easily. A moon roof is more of a sliding door inside the roof, usually opens only half way, but it seals better.
I've only been able to get good work done with actual Porsche mechanics here in LA, literally everyone else I've had work on it, and the list is long, seems to have failed and caused me to pay for something twice. My electrical system has issues that are kind of weird. Turn signal will often cause the washer fluid and wipers to go on. Doesn't seem to matter which direction.

@ameykarade9432 4 years ago

Woah ! Were those maintenance repairs? I thought that was the closing credits that roll after the end of a movie

@louie4316 5 years ago

Any car that is 30+ years old will need all it's rubber components replaced, if not you're running on borrowed time.
Especially those high priced very low milage garage queens that just sit for years.
Great video!

@rogerphilabaum4563 6 years ago

Another thing you should talk about is the internal oil cooler seals. They are super easy to replace but if you don't know better you'll think you blew a head gasket.

@sircruzin 6 years ago

The reason the car is worth maintaining over the Mazda is the ability of the car. My 84 944 with some suspension upgrades will out handle my 2004 ZO6 Corvette. I'll take on the Mazda in my BMW 7 Series

@brandonstogdill3480 3 years ago

Just bros being bros. Reminds me of the videos me and my friends used to make in high school. I think you just helped me make a decision I’ll be buying this over a Miata. :)

@pudgeboyardee32 6 years ago

Pack of smokes helps diagnose vacuum line leaks. Old ways for old cars. You can get a cheap vapor unit now too. Most of this stuff sounds eminently do-able. Id avoid the power steering models and the turbos but you can transplant better wiper equipment and the n/a engine bay has tons of space to work in. It really is built to go to the track and have fun and that always costs a little wrench work.

@superchief15 6 years ago

The only common problem I can think of on the 944 is folks abuse this wonderful little car then wonder why they break them! I owned 3 , 2 new and 1 used and can you name any other group of 30 year old cars that are still on the road all these years later with nothing but amateur mechanics fixing them!

@maranathahousechurch 3 years ago

Well done guys... Great job

@Evocati-Augusti 6 years ago

I haven't watched this yet, but I hope you know about the 83-85.5 oil in the radiator mixing problem, that was the biggest problem with all 944 before 85.5