A long day behind the wheel!

[steves944]

Funny I've been buzzing around locally for 6 weeks in my newly purchased 944 Lux oval dash and really getting to like it
.I had to go on a 180 mile trip to see a customer and so decided to take the Porsche, I ( normally use my V70 for work) which included using the dreaded M25.
Not a good day. It was pouring and my wipers are at best useless! I couldnt get the demisting right and was either too hot or too cold. My temp gauge was worryingly high in the endless jams and in fact once the red light came on suggesting the fan isnt working. And it took 4 hours to do 75 miles.
I have just spent £39 on a new relay or the fan so going to check that tomorrow.
I hope its just been a bad day as I really want to be able to use the car for this sort of trip .
Its very comfy though!!

 

[DavidL]

It does sound as though something is amiss. They should sit quite happily in traffic with the fans cycling on and off as required. I hate cooling problems but sat in a jam this week for an accident the gauge goes up to about 95 ish on the gauge and then dives in seconds to 80. And then does it all over again.
Check both fans work - often the fan (otter) switch is at fault. That fixed they make great tourers.

 

[robwright]

Don't despare mate. I regularly use mine for long journeys. Often into london from Peterborough. I have to admit mine is pretty sorted, which reflected in my purchase price but I find it a great GT cruiser car. I have never felt tired after a long journey in her yet. If anything I look forward to getting back in her for the journey home. I have to admit the looks you get do help and the almost 300 HP for the boy racers who seem to constantly have a go certainly doesn't go a miss[]

 

[sawood12]

Thermostats often need replacing. By often I don't mean frequently, but these cars are getting to the age where that seems to be a common issue.

 

[robwright]

My temp gauge sits just below the first mark this time of year. In traffic jams it will get to about half way then rapidly plummits as the fans kick in. The fans are often humming away when I park up after a drive around town. It actually gives you a nice warm blast of air on your feet as you get out the car [] I have often thought that my gauge might be reading a bit low?? What does everyone elses gauge read like.

 

[steves944]

That explains a mystery. I thought my gauge was reading low as most cars l use tend to sit around half way all day long whereas mine is just below the first line.
It clearly hs a fan problem as it did go right into the red.
Will look tomorrow.
Still love the car and am off to Brummy tomoz to see what the Porsche stand has - in my 944 of course!

 

[robwright]

Good man. When you get the thermostat sorted you'll be looking for some mods next []

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Hi Steve
My fan has never gone past 1/2 way, so quess it does need checking out.
See you tomorrow - we're in Hall 4

Mike

 

[robwright]

What's happening tomorrow?? Have I missed something?? I take it some kind of Porsche event is going on at the NEC??

 

[steves944]

NEC CLASSIC CAR SHOW

Lest you should forget!

 

[DavidL]

ORIGINAL: robwright

My temp gauge sits just below the first mark this time of year. In traffic jams it will get to about half way then rapidly plummits as the fans kick in. The fans are often humming away when I park up after a drive around town. It actually gives you a nice warm blast of air on your feet as you get out the car [] I have often thought that my gauge might be reading a bit low?? What does everyone elses gauge read like.

Rob,
When was the last time both temp thermostats were changed?
My running temp rose about half a block after this. Dead level horizontally is normal now.

 

[robwright]

Thats interseting to know Dave. I have never changed the thermostats and so can only assume they have never been done. Surely the thermostas shouldn't effect the temp gauge during normal running i.e on motorways? Ordinarily the fans shouldn't even come into the equation when you have enough forward motion for cooling.

 

[Diver944]

ORIGINAL: robwright

. Surely the thermostas shouldn't effect the temp gauge during normal running i.e on motorways?.

As the thermostats age the 'spring' tends to get weaker, this means the stat starts to open too early and allows coolant to flow through the radiator even when it doesnt need to. As a consequence the car runs cooler. I had them changed on both my cars and the needle returned to almost horizontal. Over the course of the next few years it gradually sinks down to the first line as its normal position

 

[DavidL]

What he said!! ^^^^

 

[supersport]

My gauge sits just above the first line and then suddenly shoots to near the red or completely off the top of the scale. Then after a couple of minutes it flick straight back to normal just above the first line.

Sometimes can spend ages just flicking around all over the shop.

I suspect a dodgy gauge. The fan very rarely stays on after we park up, but does every now and then. Don't you just love driving old cars

 

[DavidL]

Mark - the dodgy gauge syndrome! You can take the dash out and the instruments to gain access to the gauge.
A quick search will find more instructions but if you clean the rugby ball shaped connectors in the back of the gauge it can stop this really annoying flick.
Alternatively you can buy a new temp/fuel gauge from a breaker (or spend £284 on one from Porsche - [8|] )

 

[robwright]

LOL I think we are amis the age old confusion between thermostats and thermostatic switches. The latter of which I was referring to. Sorry for any confusion guys. Paul I take it when you say thermostas there are two? I am only used to there being one on most cars that I have dealt with. I take it they are of the normal wax variety? Might be worthwhile me changing them out then I think. Were are they located? Are they an off the shelf part I presume they must be?

 

[sawood12]

The radiator thermostatic switch simply decides when the fan cuts in or not, the cooling system thermostat diverts water through the radiator when it gets hot enough.

I've had a pretty bad day today. Managed to do something I sort of felt in my bones was inevitable but refused to admit to myself that i'd be that stupid - I filled my diesel S Max up with petrol! Managed to get about 2 miles down the road and coast into a car park when the engine refused to provide any power - kept running though. Cost me £300 plus a tank if diesel in the end!!

 

[Eldavo]

We have caparo rightfuel devices in all our company cars, I'd say take a look but I bet you won't do it again!

 

[Suffolk944]

ORIGINAL: sawood12



I've had a pretty bad day today.  Managed to do something I sort of felt in my bones was inevitable but refused to admit to myself that i'd be that stupid - I filled my diesel S Max up with petrol!  Managed to get about 2 miles down the road and coast into a car park when the engine refused to provide any power - kept running though. Cost me £300 plus a tank if diesel in the end!!

[&:]