Had the '94 945T out today and ever so quietly, the alternator belt sheared. It was a NAPA premium brand with apparently alot of miles. Car has 89K. Any who, it came apart nicely and I was amazed to find that the car drove nearly an hour on battery alone. Thanks to Interstate Mega Tron! Fortunately, there was another NAPA Premium alt. belt in the rear compartment of the wagon, which I installed. Once I had it on, i thought I noticed a bit more noise from what right now, seems to be the water pump. It was apparently replaced some time ago as it has orange gasket material on the periphery. Nothing really visibly appears at the "weep hole," but perhaps from the front of the seal. I think there is some coolant coming from there, but it's very light. How long do Hepu water pumps last? I shook the end of the pulley, and it clicks up and down...which is just another reason that I'm going to have to put in my order for TBelt, seals, waterpump, tensioner etc. are going to be done. I hope the water pump is finally the source of the "crackling" noise that plagues me. I also noticed that the A/C compressor cycles on and off a lot while I'm standing there. Cycles on for a short few seconds, turns off, then back on...over and over. What the heck is that about? Another ruled out possiblity for the trecherous "crackling" noise is the alternator since it wasn't turning for nearly an hour today and car still made the "crackling" noise. Not as bad though (thinking out loud to myself!: hmmmmmmm....water pump, less pressure with Alt belt off!) Might just be the water pump after all!

By the way, those rubber mounts that the alt sits in look like they need to be replaced as they appear hard, dry, and a bit brittle. Is there a rebuild kit for the alternator?

On another note, I was wondering why I never hear anyone talk about Monroe SensTrak shocks and struts for these cars like the 940. Do people not use them, or are they inferior? I have all four corners covered in Monroes on one of my other cars and I seem to like them. In the local parts store, the front struts are $42.59, and 51.49 each for the rear shocks.

I'm also changing the termostat. Does the 94 945 Turbo take a 92 or 87 degree thermostat?

Thanks to all for all the help!

Sincerely,

JB