New owner and battery question

[dunc]

Hi just popping on to say hello and ask a quick question, I bought a 944 turbo at the weekend and it needs a new battery. I'd like to know what size to get, would be happy to get a slightly smaller or race battery if that's what you recommend. Still needs to start after sitting for a week though!

Thanks in advance and apologies for stating with a question!

Dunc.

PS any specific oil recommendations as well? [8|]

 

[Copperman05]

Hi Dunc and welcome. I have just bought the biggest Bosch S5 battery I could find (096?) for mine, although S2 may suffer more than turbo with lazy starts. Re oil, being mindful not to open a can of worms (oils can be a contentious issue here[]) A decent 10W40 semi will be fine for now, but investment in a similar graded full synth will offer better protection in the long run. I would avoid 0W* and *W60 oils in your '44.


Edd

 

[944 man]

Cheapest (under £40 delivered) will be a Bosch 063.

 

[944 man]

Ive always used 063s and 065s in Porsches, from 924s to 968s. I prefer the 063 because its a little smaller and it will always fit without difficulty. A basic 063 Bosch can be bought for under £34 delivered, but the link below will show you the correct Bosch range for your vehicle ranging from £46-£78 delivered.

http://www.carbatteriesonline.co.uk/shop/PORSCHE/944/2.5/1991/__/137/car-batteries/

SAFs prices should bring a smile to your face.


Simon

 

[andy watson]

Hi Dunc and welcome to the 944 world,

Never be afraid to ask questions here, a wealth of knowledge amongst us all, a good decent Bosch will see you right and a trickle charger I think always helps.
Oil, well Edd is your man for oil, (he should be oilman not copperman []) you use the search function (and if it works!) there are plenty of oil threads to read, I always use Mobil 2000 X1 10/40 semi Syn which is what OPC use, and Halfords have it on offer at the moment.

We do like pics of owners new steeds so let's see her!

 

[zcacogp]

ORIGINAL: 944 man
http://www.carbatteriesonline.co.uk/shop/PORSCHE/944/2.5/1991/__/137/car-batteries/

SAFs prices should bring a smile to your face.

Crumbs - those are good prices for Bosch batteries!

Thanks for the link - smile in place.


Oli.

 

[924nutter]

I've always replaced my 944 battery with what it had when I bought it seven years ago. Due to a remotely located garage and an issue with the cooling fan switch (now sorted) it has eaten the Halfords battery in little over a year but then unknown to me the fans stuck on and the completely discharged battery would have frozen, which buckles the plates. I think it is 95 ah and fits except for a little issue with physical height in that the flap in the boot sits at a slight angle. This i can live with so that I have a car that can sit for a month, even in this weather and still start. Downside is this is £100 worth of battery. It might be worth investigating the charge holding properties of what appears to be a new generation of Li ion batteries. Having had the seldom used Citroen battery suffer from the cold (but admittedly of unknow vintage, at least three years in my ownership) I noticed that my local Eurocarparts( usual disclaimers) werer offering Li ion batteries for the AX in similar capacites and similar prices. Wiki says that Li ion batteries have a very slow self discharge rate. I think the guy at 'Euro said that the Li Ion do not offer the ultimate in cranking amperage and we all know that until that big 944 crank gets going it can put a hell of a suck on the voltage. The slow cranking of the 944 seems to be endemic. When the recon starter was totally new a couple of years ago, with a fresh battery my 944T (lower compression dont forget) whizzzed over but now the newness has worn off it does sound sluggish. Even after a good run to Brackley to collect a wheel the turn over was not as fast as it used to be, and this battery is only two months old.

 

[dunc]

Thanks for the helpful responses, I'll have some good 10/40 kicking about - I'll read up on the capacity etc.

Regarding the battery is this what you use 944man? :-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUZUKI-SWIFT-1-6-2005-TO-2011-NEW-BOSCH-3YR-GUARANTEE-CAR-BATTERY-S3001-063-/281065865838?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4170d4c26e

Also I don't appear to have any method of securing the battery, what's missing - a clamp?

Finally it's interesting that you say that 924nutter, my battery is completely knackered and I also noticed the fan ran on for a few minutes after I parked up (I've only driven it once). It did stop though.

One more thing while I've got everyone here. If you'd bought a 944 that hadn't seen much use and had been sitting around for a while what would you do before using it poperly? I'm thinking - Air filter, Oil & filter, cam belt, balance belt and new battery (as covered here). Sound about right? Anything important to check - play in turbo or such like?

Pics to follow, not got any yet. It's a white (surprise!) '87 turbo.

Thanks for the welcomes as well,

Dunc.

 

[924nutter]

At the the front of the battery bay there should be a plate that sits against the narrow side of the battery. It is secured with an 8mm socket cap head. The 6mm allen key it the tool kit has a rubber cap; the the cap head fits into that snugly so that when you unscrew it you automatically retrieve the bolt.

parts 945 611 021 10 bracket
900 067 057 02 pan head screw M8 x 20
900 025 007 02 Washer A 8,4
I'm pretty certain these are the parts but the G/A picture on PET is pants; they do differ from the part numbers for the front mounted battery. Verify suitability before ordering.
What you suggest about the oil and filters and the belt is a very prudent approach. If you do this yourself there is a wealth of knowledge on this forum. If you search the previous threads about the "white smoke" there is a lot of helpful hints on the pitfalls of belt changing, and things to look out for. If you are infact a member who has not yet verified your email address then the club owns two belt tensioning gauges for members to borrow.

 

[924nutter]

Re the cooling fans; once actuated they are designed to run on until the coolant reaches a a specific temperature. ign on they run at full speed, ign off they run at the slower speed until the temperature drops enough. The Turbo has a self-contained water-pump that will also run on for two minutes. The ballst resistors are tucked up high in the driver's footwell in front and to the right of the brake-light switch. The two round things, off white about 30mm in dia.

 

[dunc]

Great responses thanks, think I'll have to order up some battery bits.

I'm a new member and to the forum only so far. Haven't decided whether to DIY it or not will need to see what's involved before deciding.

Thanks again,

Dunc.

 

[Diver944]

Dunc, that Suzuki Swift battery has WAY too little cranking capacity for our large capacity engines. It's only 41aH whereas even the outdated owners manuals from the 80's state our cars should have 63aH at least. This was updated several years ago to over 70aH.

If you have a marginal battery on our old cars you will always start to suffer with starting when the weather gets cold and damp [&:]

 

[Veerzigzag]

It's only 41aH whereas even the outdated owners manuals from the 80's state our cars should have 63aH at least.

Sorry to be pedantic but the Ah rating is how much capacity the battery has, not how much amperage it can chuck out on request.
The Ah rating will indicate how long you can leave the lights on by mistake and still start the engine.
They are to a certain extent linked (bigger batteries have more output capability due to bigger internals) but it is worth checking the CCA (cold cranking amps) number.
Some special batteries like the Optima have quite low capacity combined with high CCA (and high price!).
The Tanya Batteries site generally lists both numbers but don't use their battery selector gizmo as it will chose the wrong one for your car.

 

[dunc]

I realise using the swift battery is a bit marginal but:-

1) It'll be disconnected when not in use
2) It's only £34 if it doesn't work, no big loss!

Rgds,

Duncan.

 

[944 man]

For £34 you can buy a Bosch 063 delivered and I have run many 944s on 063s, both entry level and highend (batteries and Frontrunners!).

 

[dunc]

ORIGINAL: andy watson
We do like pics of owners new steeds so let's see her!

Here's a few pics, it's just sat for now until I get rid of another car but inspected it yesterday. Compression is 135psi on each cylinder and the turbo's in good condition, it needs a fair bit of TLC but I'm happy to spend cash on a car that's worth it

It's got bilstein's on it but apart from that it's standard.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/dunc_keith/944_Turbo_2013/944_turbo_01_zps9096da41.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/dunc_keith/944_Turbo_2013/944_turbo_02_zps2ac33979.jpg

The previous owners sticker on the back will be coming off btw

Also 994 man - what's your method for mounting the smaller Bosch battery, I've not put it in yet but it looks like it will only contact one securing point (the clamp).

Thanks,

Dunc.

 

[Frenchy]

Dunc, the turbos are pretty bomb proof, regular oil and filter changes, i use a good quality semi 10/40 W, drive them steady until hot. Unless the belts have been changed in the last 4 years get them done, i bought both belts (Gates Powergrip) which is what Porsche will supply you from my local motor factors for around £50.
Would not do any harm to refresh the coolant if you have it in bits, fill the doors sills and the bottom of the front wings with cavity wax and wash the wings out on a regular basis, wash it, claybar and wax the go drive !
Loads of help here.......shout up []