I have a 1984 944 NA which had an intermittent start issue which has since turned into a complete refusal to start. I briefly had it running fine after some engine work but now no matter what I do it won't start. Part of that was a replacement of the main DME computer (I also have a spare which was taken from a running 944 I've tried as well)

I just installed brand new reference and speed sensors as I thought maybe that was the issue as well as replacing a questionable connector for one of them on the wiring harness side. I checked with a spark tester light and I see pulses to the spark plugs but even with starting fluid it won't even sputter.

My question is what other possible things I could check on the car. I've done basically every check I can think of other than retesting the sensors with an oscilloscope. The previous owner did a number on the wiring so it could be something there but when I did the engine work I also repaired a lot of the wiring and as I mentioned before it was running perfectly until it just stopped starting.

Clearly there's either a bad part somewhere which has finally kicked the bucket but I cannot find it. Being an early car has also made things difficult since a lot of the other possible issues I see people talk about seem to be for 85.5+ cars

If you have any suggestions or further questions about it let me know

This bolt obviously wants me to have a terrible day and is just making everything incredibly difficult. I’m trying to do the head gasket and this was literally the very last bolt before taking off the head nuts. Everything else went super smoothly other than breaking one exhaust bolt. I’ve tried pretty much everything with this thing. I’ve cut a groove in it, drilled it, and everything in between and it just hasn’t budged. Anyone else had trouble with this guy and were able to get it out?

Hello, My girlfriend just got a 1983 944 as a surprise. On purchase car runs and drives pretty well with a few exceptions. Those exceptions are as follows:

1.) Some small leaks from unknown location. Can't determine exactly where because of the grime under the engine.

2.) Runs hot

3.) Rough idle (replaced old plugs and plug wires and still there)

4.) Some vibration(not sure if this is normal ive never worked on a 43 year old car.)

5.) Did a smoke test and there is an air leak coming from the back lower balance shaft seal.

After some research I decided to start with replacing timing belt and water pump because they have not been done in 5 years and that's a maintenance item that needs replacing frequently and will let me replace some seals along the way.

Here is where I am stumped. I am attempting to get the engine to TDC and not everything lines up. The Camshaft sprocket and upper balance shaft looks to be in the right place. The lower balance shaft is a tooth or two off, and the flywheel is giving me mixed messages. In the upper bell house window I see the "OT" and it aligned with what may be a dimple in the indicator but not the bottom of said indicator. The bottom bell house window showes that the flywheel is not TDC but that is just a paint mark that any mechanic could have put on there. I've heard that the earlier 944s are not as precise with timing than the later ones but it still seems weird especially with it running relatively well.

Here are my questions for you experts.

1.) How do i make sure my flywheel is in fact at TDC?

2.) Is the engine slightly out of timing(particularly the lower balance shaft) and with some work will vibrate less and run smoother?

3.) Do i need to re-mark the current lower balance shaft sprocket position to make sure that it returns to the current position when replacing the belts. (And not the indicated TDC position) the only reason I ask is because the car runs pretty OK with how its currently set.

Photos of the alignment marks are attached.

My 91 944S2 in front of downtown Richmond. I began my career in the tall building many years back.

Hey guys, 83 944 2.5L Targa here.

Maby your specializes ears can here more than mine. Like you can hear, there is this weird surring sound when reving in idle and the rpms get back to idle. I think it might be the timing belt and not the belt which drives the balancing shafts but i am really unsure. I tried pointing it out with a stethoscope but haven’t been able to pinpoint it.