new owner/questions

[Northern924]

Wow thats one hell of a 1st post lol [8D] Well here's what I know... 1 - in the manual there is a bit about 'climbing performance'. NO IDEA! 2 - if there a EOBD type plug in? i'd guess if there is it's a porsche only type plug. or is there any way to adjust the emmisions (ie screwdriver). what are its ideal co% at tickover and fast idle. ALL SET BY THE ECU 3 - what is the timing belt interval? it's done 8k over 3 years. 30/35K OR 3 YEARS IDEALLY, DESPITE THE LOW MILEAGE I WOUDL CONSIDER IT AN IMPENDING JOB 4 - what kind of anti freeze does it want? BEST YOU CAN GET,A S YOU SAY ITS ALLOY 5 - is there an easy fix for the standard clock? i read the sticky and don't want to pay £hundreds!!!!! NONE THAT I'VE SEEN BUT IF YOU FIND ONE LET US KNOW ;-) 6 - the ash tray bulb - when should it light up? when the ashtray is open and sidelights are on? WHEN THE SIDE/HEADLIGHTS ARE ON 7 - where is the heater motor varible resistor? how cheap and how easy? I'LL PUT MONEY ON IT BEING ABOUT £2.50 WORTH OF CLIP AND RETAINING CLIP 8 - are there any projector headlights that fit into the standard location? YOU'LL STRUGGLE, PLUS THE WIRING IS 20+ YEARS OLD WOULDN'T ADVISE IT 9 - what oil does the engine want? the book says 15w40. is that mineral/semi/fully, or any of the three? PEOPLE HAVE USED ALL THREEE, BUT ON A CAR THAT OLD MINERAL IS GOING TO BE BETTER BUT THATS JUST MY OPINION, SYTHETIC OIL WASN'T THE NORM WHEN THE CARS WHERE BUILT 10 - the gearbox oil grade is sae 80. is that the same as the vauxhal astras (£3 a litre)? YEP 11 - roughly how much are front dampers (part only)? PASS 12 - roughly how much are full aftermarket spring/damper suspension kits (part only)? PASS 13 - what are common mods done to get more power out of the engine? NOTHING MAJOR AND PASS ON THE WONDER CHIPS! 14 - what tyres work well with a standard setup road car? GOODYEAR F1 ALL ROUND, BUT I'M RUNNING ON 993 WHEELS Look forward to the pics

 

[alwigley]

Welcome to 944 ownership - the list will only get longer......... Good website is [link=http://www.clarks-garage.com/]http://www.clarks-garage.com/[/link] - think you will find the heater fix previously mentioned plus answers to many others under their excellent garage shop manual. Looking forward to the pics......

 

[dave364634]

3 - 3 years for a t-belt??!?!!!?!? do they crack or have dodgy tensioners or something? 7 - do you mean a clip on the back of the dial? 8 - hid's are a lower amperage. they are 35w compared to 55/60w on H4's. althought the pop-up machanism may not fit. 13 - not even an electric super charger? [] ta.

 

[dave364634]

15 - my steering wheel vibrates above 60mph, is this likly to be wheel balanceing, or a steering colume bush? ta.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

7 - where is the heater motor varible resistor? how cheap and how easy? i'm guessing a genuine only part, and dashboard removal. mine only works on full.

This is the resistor under the bonnet. Lift the plastic shroud over the blower, two screws and it's out. Might be lucky and a bit of contact cleaner will do the job.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

3 - what is the timing belt interval? it's done 8k over 3 years.

Officially 4 years/48K. I prefer to say three years, as people always leave it late, and they can fail over four years old. Also check rollers and water pump, and oil seals. I had to have a belt changed after two years as oil had contaminated it.

 

[dave364634]

hello, i've just bought an 1989 2.7 lux, and have some questions.

1 - in the manual there is a bit about 'climbing performance'.

what is this? 1st gear is 60%, 5th is 15%. i'm guessing it's to do with the amount of G's pulled when you put you foot down.

2 - if there a EOBD type plug in? i'd guess if there is it's a porsche only type plug. or is there any way to adjust the emmisions (ie screwdriver). what are its ideal co% at tickover and fast idle.

3 - what is the timing belt interval? it's done 8k over 3 years.

4 - what kind of anti freeze does it want? i think it wants red/propylene glycol as it's alloy.

5 - is there an easy fix for the standard clock? i read the sticky and don't want to pay £hundreds!!!!!

6 - the ash tray bulb - when should it light up? when the ashtray is open and sidelights are on?

7 - where is the heater motor varible resistor? how cheap and how easy? i'm guessing a genuine only part, and dashboard removal. mine only works on full.

8 - are there any projector headlights that fit into the standard location? i want hids.

9 - what oil does the engine want? the book says 15w40. is that mineral/semi/fully, or any of the three?

10 - the gearbox oil grade is sae 80. is that the same as the vauxhal astras (£3 a litre)?

11 - roughly how much are front dampers (part only)?

12 - roughly how much are full aftermarket spring/damper suspension kits (part only)?

13 - what are common mods done to get more power out of the engine?

14 - what tyres work well with a standard setup road car? im guessing toyo proxies.

pics later!


ta.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

13 - what are common mods done to get more power out of the engine?

Buy a turbo. [&:] There's not much to be gained from either the N/A or 16-valve engines. On an 8-valve, a rapid response throttle cam, as from Porscheshop, will sharpen it up. Check out Promax for parts, they are sensitive to ignition parts so check dizzy cap, rotor arm, leads etc. Beyond that, the car will go faster if it's lighter, has a proper geometery set-up, re-furbed suspension, sorted brakes and the driver has spent money being trained. []

 

[pauljmcnulty]

15 - my steering wheel vibrates above 60mph, is this likly to be wheel balanceing, or a steering colume bush?

Wheel balance, or has it been laid up? Tyres could be square.....[]

 

[DavidL]

ORIGINAL: dave364634 1 - in the manual there is a bit about 'climbing performance'. what is this? 1st gear is 60%, 5th is 15%. i'm guessing it's to do with the amount of G's pulled when you put you foot down.

Again no idea!

ORIGINAL: dave364634 2 - if there a EOBD type plug in? i'd guess if there is it's a porsche only type plug. or is there any way to adjust the emmisions (ie screwdriver). what are its ideal co% at tickover and fast idle.

There may be a ECU plug under the dash on the passenger side. There is on my 90 turbo but I don't know about yours. The engine management is quite basic but it can help.

ORIGINAL: dave364634 3 - what is the timing belt interval? it's done 8k over 3 years.

PGB quote 4 years and 48K but generally 3 years and 36 is better

ORIGINAL: dave364634 4 - what kind of anti freeze does it want? i think it wants red/propylene glycol as it's alloy.

Long life red in mine

ORIGINAL: dave364634 5 - is there an easy fix for the standard clock? i read the sticky and don't want to pay £hundreds!!!!!

Seek out Rennlist - there is a fix for sale from there. Friend of mine has bought it and is happy with the results

ORIGINAL: dave364634 6 - the ash tray bulb - when should it light up? when the ashtray is open and sidelights are on?

Don't know. They tend to get used as an extra feed for other electrical things

ORIGINAL: dave364634 7 - where is the heater motor varible resistor? how cheap and how easy? i'm guessing a genuine only part, and dashboard removal. mine only works on full.

There is a fix for this - someone will know, I can't remember. It isn't that arduous though.

ORIGINAL: dave364634 8 - are there any projector headlights that fit into the standard location? i want hids.

ORIGINAL: dave364634 9 - what oil does the engine want? the book says 15w40. is that mineral/semi/fully, or any of the three?

That's a whole discussion! Do a quick search.

ORIGINAL: dave364634 10 - the gearbox oil grade is sae 80. is that the same as the vauxhal astras (£3 a litre)?

Pass

ORIGINAL: dave364634 11 - roughly how much are front dampers (part only)?

Depends what you want. Again suspension is discussed alot!!

ORIGINAL: dave364634 12 - roughly how much are full aftermarket spring/damper suspension kits (part only)?

400-1200. Depends on your requirements. KW3s are often put forward as the optimum but really not cheap and then you need to start reindexing.

ORIGINAL: dave3646341 13 - what are common mods done to get more power out of the engine?

Very little. If you want more power sell it and buy a turbo. A chip from Promax will give a better drive but not very much more power.

ORIGINAL: dave364634 14 - what tyres work well with a standard setup road car? im guessing toyo proxies.

Toyo are often mentioned as are Falkens.

 

[djone101]

ORIGINAL: pauljmcnulty

15 - my steering wheel vibrates above 60mph, is this likly to be wheel balanceing, or a steering colume bush?

Wheel balance, or has it been laid up? Tyres could be square.....[]

Check for locking wheel nuts. I had significant wheel wobble 65 to 70mph. Had the wheels balanced (55g out on both) which improved but didn't eliminate the problem. Took the (heavy non original) locking wheel nuts off and replaced them with correct aluminium ones - cured 100%........ best £10 I've spent on ebay in a long while.[]

 

[tref]

I believe (but open to correction) "climbing performance" is how steep a hill it can climb... the usual percentage grades for the hill... (should quote one for handbrake performance - that would be 0% then!)

 

[mik_ok]

ORIGINAL: tref I believe (but open to correction) "climbing performance" is how steep a hill it can climb... the usual percentage grades for the hill...

I was about to quote exactly the same. 100% = 1:1 = 45degrees. So max hill climb in 1st is approx 27degrees max hill climb in 5th is approx 9degrees

 

[Bob]

I've only answered what I know or have read on this forum 3 - what is the timing belt interval? it's done 8k over 3 years. Officially its 4 years but most suggest 3 years or 36k miles. A failure could cost you twice the value of the car so don't scrimp here 4 - what kind of anti freeze does it want? i think it wants red/propylene glycol as it's alloy. Don't mix types but any suitable for all alloy is fine 5 - is there an easy fix for the standard clock? i read the sticky and don't want to pay £hundreds!!!!! No easy fix. They appear on Ebay occasionally at £100 6 - the ash tray bulb - when should it light up? when the ashtray is open and sidelights are on? It comes on when the lights are on 7 - where is the heater motor varible resistor? how cheap and how easy? i'm guessing a genuine only part, and dashboard removal. mine only works on full. Under the bonnet above the glovebox. Its six inches long and white plastic/ceramic. £20 from breakers when mine defaulted to full only 8 - are there any projector headlights that fit into the standard location? i want hids. Don't [:'(] Get your wiring fixed first or new reflectors 9 - what oil does the engine want? the book says 15w40. is that mineral/semi/fully, or any of the three? Good quality semi at 10/40. Change every 6 months 11 - roughly how much are front dampers (part only)? OEM are £200 each now 13 - what are common mods done to get more power out of the engine? None for a 2.7 n/a engine will make a noticabel diference. A chip makes it smoother to drive 14 - what tyres work well with a standard setup road car? im guessing toyo proxies. I rate Falkens

 

[Lowtimer]

The two respondents above are correct about #1. For a good graphic representation see here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Grades_degrees.svg

 

[mik_ok]

I was doing some "100%" off-road climbs / descents in a RangeRover Sport the other weekend. LandRover's Hill Descent system is some form of voodoo magic. Hugely impressive. [8D]

 

[dave364634]

it's got non genuine locking wheel nuts. i'll weigh them when i service it. pics;

cheers for the info gents.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

erm, what's that tyre? [8|]

 

[DivineE]

ORIGINAL: pauljmcnulty

7 - where is the heater motor varible resistor? how cheap and how easy? i'm guessing a genuine only part, and dashboard removal. mine only works on full.

This is the resistor under the bonnet. Lift the plastic shroud over the blower, two screws and it's out. Might be lucky and a bit of contact cleaner will do the job.

5 cars, 10 years and I only find this out now! Bollocks!

 

[DivineE]

Just one note on the power thing to be helpful. If your a handy mechanic take the head off and clean up the backs of the valves. You will be amazed how much crap has built up on the back of them after all these years. Get the engine back into a good serviceable condition and a lux is not ballistic but its pretty satisfyingly quick. You should be able to hold your own against most of the modern hot hatchery on a windy road Which isn't bad when you think about it. I once kept on the tail of a Seat Cupra 240hp before it was released, only to find out it was being driven by one of the Seat Cup drivers when he pulled over for a chat a few minutes later. It was no easy race but he couldn't get away and I could even catch him on the bends with a bit of bravery.