Few Problems

[jefft]

Hi all,

I've got a few niggles with my Lux that I'm hoping you can help out with.

Firstly, just had the belts replaced by an indie specialist and now got a whining noise that increases with engine revs - was told by the indie that 944's have the belts tight so that the water pump runs properly - surely this can't be right.

And I can't see how to fit the rear wiper motor back onto the tailgate. I have 2x metal pins that stick out from the motor but nothing obvious for them to lock into. There are 3x brackets - 2x threaded and 1x slotted fitted to the tailgate - is something missing ?

Finally, before it went in for belts temp gauge used to run on 1st mark (about a quarter), I was told that the thermostat was missing and one was fitted with the new water pump. It now runs at just over 3 quarters on the guage and the fans cut in after stopping in trafic for about 5 mins. A replacement temp gauage sensor was fitted but made no difference. It is likely to be the guage itself or something else ?

Thanks

Jeff

 

[Sandspider]

ORIGINAL: jefft

Firstly, just had the belts replaced by an indie specialist and now got a whining noise that increases with engine revs - was told by the indie that 944's have the belts tight so that the water pump runs properly - surely this can't be right.

Hi Jeff. My indie said the same thing - the belts should be tight enough that you can hear a whine. After about 300 miles driving the whine fades, then I took the car back to them and they re-tightened the belts and brought the whine back again! Over time, it faded again and now I don't hear it much at all. (It was done a couple of years ago now).

As for temp gauge, not quite sure what your problem is I'm afraid - but mine runs normally with the needle in the bottom quarter of the gauge. In traffic it creeps up to the middle of the gauge, then the fans cut in and bring it back down to bottom quarter again. My fans also cut in after about 5 minutes in creeping traffic (bit sooner today, it's bloody hot!) so I would assume that that is about right...

HTH

Giles

 

[jefft]

ORIGINAL: Sandspider



Hi Jeff. My indie said the same thing - the belts should be tight enough that you can hear a whine. After about 300 miles driving the whine fades, then I took the car back to them and they re-tightened the belts and brought the whine back again! Over time, it faded again and now I don't hear it much at all. (It was done a couple of years ago now).

Thats ok then. Not having had the belts done before it was just for peace of mind really.

As for temp gauge, not quite sure what your problem is I'm afraid - but mine runs normally with the needle in the bottom quarter of the gauge. In traffic it creeps up to the middle of the gauge, then the fans cut in and bring it back down to bottom quarter again. My fans also cut in after about 5 minutes in creeping traffic (bit sooner today, it's bloody hot!) so I would assume that that is about right...

My guage and fans follow the same pattern then, just read higher up the guage. Will probably put up with it for now as no harm being caused and change the guage in the future.

Thanks Giles - 2x niggles sorted already [][]

 

[Sandspider]

No worries. NB - I'm not totally sure that your car is OK, that's just my experience!

BTW, whereabouts in Somerset are you?

 

[DivineE]

I have to say I disagree with the above. The most common problems with the garages doing the auxiliary belts on 944's is that they tend to over tighten them not under tighten them! If your car is getting hot like that then I would suggest that the water pump is not working correctly and tightening the belt like that will not help it, it will just knacker the bearings on that and the much more expensive oil pump. Take it to another specialist and get it checked over immediately before any serious damage occurs.

Just read your later post. That just sounds like the first fan speed isn't working. The fan should come on 1st speed at half temp on the gauge and that's usually enough to stop it getting hotter. Then comes on full speed at 3/4 temperature. That can be sorted most commonly by replacing the temperature sensor at the bottom of the radiator.

 

[jefft]

ORIGINAL: DivineE

I have to say I disagree with the above. The most common problems with the garages doing the auxiliary belts on 944's is that they tend to over tighten them not under tighten them! If your car is getting hot like that then I would suggest that the water pump is not working correctly and tightening the belt like that will not help it, it will just knacker the bearings on that and the much more expensive oil pump. Take it to another specialist and get it checked over immediately before any serious damage occurs.

Just read your later post. That just sounds like the first fan speed isn't working. The fan should come on 1st speed at half temp on the gauge and that's usually enough to stop it getting hotter. Then comes on full speed at 3/4 temperature. That can be sorted most commonly by replacing the temperature sensor at the bottom of the radiator.

Ok. In that case I think a bit of further investigation in order.

Will start her up from cold tomorrow night when i get back from work and note temp guage readings, time elapsed and when fans come on and then post findings later.

Also, had a thought about rear wiper motor - is there a change on later models ? As i have a tailgate from an '86 plate and a motor from an '82.

Cheers.

 

[Frenchy]

There was a change in the rear wiper mounting , later cars had the housing bolted (10mm) to the bottom of the hatch early cars had 2 prongs that were supported by tiny rubber mounts again in the bottom of the hatch (they just pushed into place and the mounting through the glass secured the motor.

 

[berg944]

The belts should not whine if done properly!!!

Ask to see the tool they used to set the tension. when they say its been borrowed or we have done that many that we don't need one.........go and get it done properly or it could be very expensive.

Cambelt will probably only be slightly out but it needs to be spot on.

Balance Belt will probably be far too tight and could take out the cambelt if it fails.

Mike

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Just to say, an early car does not have 2 fans, only 1 and it cutting in after 5 min in traffic is exactly what I would expect.
The gauge reading like that is what I would like mine to do! But if it does the same thing with the new bits I would not worry about it, all cars are slightly different and 25 years will tend to amplify differences.
Get used to how it is and check if things change.
As for the belts whine - get it checked elsewhere.
Mike

 

[DivineE]

ORIGINAL: A9XXC

Just to say, an early car does not have 2 fans, only 1 and it cutting in after 5 min in traffic is exactly what I would expect.

One fan, two speeds. I only learnt this when the sensor failed completely on my lux and the fan stayed on permanently.

 

[Mike_Pollock]

How do you check for the 2 speeds and where is the control for it, as I only have a live and earth to the fan?
Mike

 

[DivineE]

My memory is a little hazy but I seem to remember the fan should have three terminals. The only bit I do remember is that the control comes from the rad sensor.

 

[jefft]

ORIGINAL: A9XXC

Just to say, an early car does not have 2 fans, only 1 and it cutting in after 5 min in traffic is exactly what I would expect.
The gauge reading like that is what I would like mine to do! But if it does the same thing with the new bits I would not worry about it, all cars are slightly different and 25 years will tend to amplify differences.
Get used to how it is and check if things change.
As for the belts whine - get it checked elsewhere.
Mike

Thanks Mike

Just read your bit in the Porsche Post - had me in stitches, especially the wheel alignment device and gearbox positioning. [][]

With regards to the rear wiper motor - does anyone know when the later motor came out so that I can go searching?

Cheers, Jeff

 

[944 man]

Thats probably because your thermostat is worn, although still serviceable. With a new 'stat itd almost certainly run hotter, whichs better for the car - but its not an easy job: and not really necessary right now.

Simon

 

[MRGT]

ORIGINAL: sc0tty


My temp gauge has never gone above the first white mark, even yesterday when it was bloody hot !!

Scotty

Mines ben like that for a while as well, Ive just dropped mine in with my Indy for a service and he's going to change the thermostat at the same time, I will let you know the result.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

ORIGINAL: berg944

The belts should not whine if done properly!!!

Ask to see the tool they used to set the tension. when they say its been borrowed or we have done that many that we don't need one.........go and get it done properly or it could be very expensive.

Cambelt will probably only be slightly out but it needs to be spot on.

Balance Belt will probably be far too tight and could take out the cambelt if it fails.

Mike

Seconded.

I've had a noisy water pump, which the indie was happy to leave for another year based on his experience and my mileage, but I can't see why they'd be telling you that any noticable noise from the belts would be considered acceptable.

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Thanks Jeff!

Would guess with the oval dash - there were a LOT of changes then!

Mike

 

[berg944]

Early thermoswitches (in rad)are often replaced with the later 3 pin type.

If so check the two wires go to the correct pins to switch the fan on at the lower temperature.

Mike

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Thanks Mike I'll check later.
Mike

 

[jefft]

Okay, did a complete check from cold.

After nearly 20 mins at idle fan cuts in at about 1/3rd of the way into the shaded part at the top of the guage. Runs for about 50 secs until reading inbetween last mark and beginning of shaded area.

Sorry if already been mentioned but should fan come on low spped then fast or just one speed. Rad fan sensor has two contacts.

Cheers, Jeff

Ps. spoke to indie about belts whining and taking it back on Fri - only fair to let them get it sorted. Bit of a pain being a 140 mile round trip. But good excuse to go for a drive. [][]