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1989 Porsche 944 Turbo

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Mar 30, 2026
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1989 Porsche 944 Turbo
  • 74k mi
  • Location: Sarasota County, Florida, USA
  • Originality: Original & Highly Original
    info
  • Transmission: Manual
  • Handedness: LHD
  • There are 3 Porsche 944 Turbo (1985 to 1991) for sale right now.
Anon

“What are the common issues with the 944 Turbo’s engine and transmission?”

Rusty assistant avatar

The 1989 Porsche 944 Turbo, while a high-performance classic, has several well-documented engine and transmission issues:

Engine Issues

  1. Timing Belt Failure
    • The inline-four engine is an interference design, so a snapped timing belt can cause piston-valve collisions. Replace every 60,000–80,000 miles (your car has 74,128 miles).
  2. Turbocharger & Oil Leaks
    • Oil leaks around the turbo bearing housing and intercooler hoses are common.
  3. Water Pump/Seals
    • Failures here can lead to overheating.
  4. DME Relay
    • Electrical issues in the fuel injection/ignition system.

Transmission Issues

  1. Clutch Wear
    • The high-friction clutch disc (AOR transmission) wears quickly. Check hydraulic system for leaks.
  2. Gearbox Syncros
    • Worn synchros in 3rd/4th gears may cause shifting difficulties.
  3. LSD Maintenance
    • The limited-slip differential requires fluid checks.

Your Car

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