Finally Took The Plunge !!!!!

bigfella70 · Jun 26, 2012

26-6-12

Well, im pleased to say I've finally acquired a 911 !

1998 C2 manual in Ocean Blue with grey interior.

This was the sixth car that I'd been to view. There are a few niggles to sort out that I factored into the negotiations so I have come away happy with what I believe to be a nice useable car with a few small "projects" to keep me out of trouble !

Made a thorough examination and had a test run prior to taking the plunge.

Driving home yesterday, over 300 miles I took it steady as the car hasn't been properly used for a few months, just started and run and MOT'd etc so this was its first proper run in a while.

Initially the temperature took a little while to warm through (20 mins / half hour) and settled with the needle just below the "80" marker. Oil pressure spot on and battery meter sat on 14 throughout.

When I came off the motorway into traffic I noticed the temp then climbed with the needle into the far right of the "0" of the "80" on the gauge, but didn't get any higher. Im not sure if the rad fans ever came on and I never saw or heard the engine compartment fan cut in either. I think the temp range that I saw seems normal from what ive been reading ?

The car has the climate control aircon system and unfortunately the fan for the interior blower doesn't come on. However when I turn the ignition switch off the blower cuts in for a split second as you turn the key. Also on a couple of occasions the interior blower fan did suddenly kick in the go off again when the car was stationary in my drive with the engine running. I'm wondering what could be at fault. The fan seems to be capable of working from the odd occasion its cut in and the control button seems to work - wondered if any suggestions.

Im probably wrongly connecting these points but if there was a fault with the rad cooling fans could this affect the operation of the aircon / heater blower also. Ive read about the resistor failure on the cooling fans for the slow speed operation.
Other than that there is a very slight clonking on the front suspension going over bumps - suspect the drop links ?

Really please with the car - going to drive / enjoy and maintain as I go along but will farm out anything too scary / time consuming to a local specialist.

Will organise some pics at the weekend !!!

Richard_Hamilton · Jun 26, 2012

Wel done Dave!

Coolant temperature sounds normal to me. As for the aircon fan, strange that it is affected by the ignition switch. Ignition switches are a weak point, and contact failure inside them is common. It would be worth investing in a new switch at under £20 to see if it makes a difference. There is a DIY in the technical section which you can't access as a guest, but if you drop me an email, I'll send you a link. Other than that, a diagnostic check with a Porsche tester might show what's wrong.

I've given up diagnosing suspension clonks on forums! There are just too many causes. Drop links, forked control arms, wishbones, top mounts, etc, etc.

Look forward to seeing the pics!

Chris_in_the_UK · Jun 26, 2012

Out of curiosity Richard I looked for the ignition switch post and the Technical Section shows 'no posts' and a search did not throw anything up.

Have I missed something?

Cheers

Richard_Hamilton · Jun 26, 2012

Here you go: http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=231803

Chris_in_the_UK · Jun 26, 2012

http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=231803

Thanks Richard!

steveoz32 · Jun 27, 2012

Congrats!

Mine runs around 80 and can climb to around 90 in heavy traffic, but it just sits there, as soon as I start moving it drops down again.

Re clonks, like Richard said it's so difficult to say on a forum, you could take a wheen off at the front and check the rubbers / ball joints. See if any are flat (the rim has come off of the bolt, or they are squished) or split.

Drop links run around £70 each on the front from OPC, although they can be had for around 50 if you are on good terms with them and get a little discount. OE drops can be had from Euro car parts and the like for £40ish each. I recently replaced my ones with OE ones from ECP when fitting my M030 as Porsche didn't have any in and would have to order, where as the others were on the shelf. I didn't notice any difference in quality at all, they looked and felt identical.

Roll bar bushes are cheap from OPC too, around 17.00 for the pair. The front roll bar bushes look like a pain to get to, there's quite a few bolts to loosen and take out, as well as the under tray and supports, but it can be done in 45 mins.

Those two are a good starting point, after that you are looking at ball joint on the coffin arm / wishbone, which would require removing and pressing in a new one or replacing the arm - start with the simple things first.

Check play in the suspension strut mounts also.

Aside from that, have fun with it