Thermostats

[robwright]

After much wrestling and cursing I have just managed to change my engine block thermostat. As is typical with the 944 nothing is ever that simple and proved to be a bit troublesome. To sum up though the temperature gauge on the car now rises fairly quickly to the centre of the gauge. Prior to changing it would never rise from below the first mark and in this weather would take 20 minutes or more to get there!!! Proper chuffed with the results. Anyone experiencing the same - CHANGE YOUR THERMOSTAT YOUR ENGINE IS RUNNING COLD!!! Was planning on doing the turbo thermostat as well but time got the better of me. It looks a bit tricky though. Has anyone done it before and got any tips?

 

[Copperman05]

Interesting post, I must admit my gauge never seems to go above the first mark even when driving hard. I thought it was just typical of the model. Are you saying that it is a fault and therefore my thermostat should be changed?

I guess its probably the original one in there anyway and should be changed as a matter of precaution to be safe.

Edd

 

[robwright]

For the sake of a 25 quid part I would get it done mate. The one I just fetched out had a German manufacturers name on it and the jubilee clip on the water pump looked like it had never been disturbed. I can only assume it was the original.

 

[rcsalmons]

The thermostat for the turbo is the easier of the 2 to change - you might want to change the elbow at the same time - they tend to warp and leak.

Rich

 

[robwright]

ORIGINAL: rcsalmons


The thermostat for the turbo is the easier of the 2 to change - you might want to change the elbow at the same time - they tend to warp and leak.

Rich

Have you done it before then mate? Did you attack it from the bottom or the top?

 

[dirtgod]

Rob likes to be attacked from the bottom lol sorry dude couldnt resist

 

[Rohan951]

Thanks for the info - recently I've noticed mine never goes above the first marker and just thought the gauge was dodgy!!

Also noticed the fan that usually stays on for a minute or two when I've parked up and turned the ignition off, hasn't. It this because the engine hasn't really warmed up? Or is this another problem?

Cheers

 

[DavidL]

Rohan,
That could be your turbo cooling pump that you are hearing (or not hearing). These run for 30 secs or so after you switch the engine off. Lots don't work and many people don't even know it should! Sounds like yours was and now it isn't.
Your cooling fan shouldn't be running every time you switch the engine off unless you have the AC switch on permanently as then the first fan runs permanently too. I imagine it will go off as soon as you switch the engine off mind unlike when the fans are on becasue the engine is warm and then they will run for a while after you switch off.

 

[robwright]

Start the car and run it at idle without driving it. Watch/listen for fan operation. It should kick in before too long. If it doesn't you may have another problem i.e. a thermostatic switch. Switching air con on with the engine off if you have it should automatically turn the fans on as well.

 

[DavidL]

ORIGINAL: Copperman05

Interesting post, I must admit my gauge never seems to go above the first mark even when driving hard. I thought it was just typical of the model. Are you saying that it is a fault and therefore my thermostat should be changed?

I guess its probably the original one in there anyway and should be changed as a matter of precaution to be safe.

Edd

Edd if its original the spring will be a very floppy thing by now so it opens too soon and keeps the engine temp down. Mine jumped from the first line to horizontal with the stats changed.

 

[robwright]

+1 for that Edd I think mine was just opening under the pressure of the pump running. Frazerpart got me both stats in a couple of days plus all the gaskets and o rings to do both at no extra charge. All in about £42 inc delivery for both stats. You will only need one for your S2 though.

 

[sulzeruk]

Rob, the small thermostat lives under the plastic right angle housing. 2 5mm Allen headed bolts and hey presto. The thermostat should just pull out, it is a very easy job to do. I would replace the right angle plastic housing as they are cheap and are an absolute bar steward to seal again properly, they always warp as they are a crap design and should never been made out of plastic in the first place! Will be doing 2 very shortly and the small one is by far the easiest unless you have the water pump off already. Also when changing the big one, I got one from ECP and it is the same brand as the OEM one at 1/3 of the price. The small one was only available from Porsche and £22!!! Always put the big circlip back in with the opening at 12 o'clock, makes it so much easier to get out if you need to get in again!!!
Alasdair

 

[robwright]

Evening Alisdair. Yeah big one done mate for the engine block. More of a pain in the butt than I bargained for!! The small turbo stat cost me £8 from frazerpart cheap at half the price. Might hold off doing it now till I get a proper look at the elbow and probably order a new one. Oh BTW sample received and away in the post mate.

 

[Fat Albert]

Rob what was the issue with changing the block one?
I have the same issue in that my gauge rarely gets off the line at the bootom in this weather, especially on the 8 mile drive to the station

 

[Rohan951]

ORIGINAL: DavidL

Rohan,
That could be your turbo cooling pump that you are hearing (or not hearing). These run for 30 secs or so after you switch the engine off. Lots don't work and many people don't even know it should! Sounds like yours was and now it isn't.

Thanks David/Rob...yes I think its the turbo cooling pump then. All I know is that there usually is a "noise" that emanates from the engine bay after I swtich it off [&:][]

Cheers

 

[robwright]

ORIGINAL: Fat Albert

Rob what was the issue with changing the block one?
I have the same issue in that my gauge rarely gets off the line at the bootom in this weather, especially on the 8 mile drive to the station

Just because of where it is and access ot is a real PITA mate. you have to attack it from underneath. Then there is the small matter of a fairly hefty circlip that you have to remove practically blind!!! Then you have the joy of putting it back in again. Perseverence is the name of the game.

 

[Mike_Pollock]

That circlip is a pain!
Big and quality pliers.
Mike

 

[Fat Albert]

hmmm, me and circlips don't have a happy history[]

Didn't quite get it right on the gudgeon pin on my Honda MBX80 when I was 17....cost me a whole new bore & piston...then a big end...then a main bearing[]

 

[ChasR]

My new engine has a thermostat, and even in this weather, it warms up to above the first small mark to the middle. Even with a frozen windscreen, the demister will kick in after 2-4 minutes to take quite a bit of the ice off.

However, if you have an iffy rad, you may wish to think twice about changing your thermostat unless you fancy your heater matrix being a surrogate radiator.

If you don't mind me asking, what brand of themostat do you have fitted? Mine's an 82 degrees item from First Line (the specialist said it was fine to use), although I plan to change the rad soon now the weather is warming up.

 

[Hilux]

All I know is that there usually is a "noise" that emanates from the engine bay after I swtich it off

If the pump and timer is working properly then when you stop the car open the bonnet and have a look at the water reservoir. You have about 30 seconds to look for then it cuts out. On the top left hand side of the reservoir is a pipe inlet. You should see the water bubbling into the reservoir as it circulates back from the turbo. It bubbles as the turbo heat sink gets very hot, hence the need for it!

If it doesnt then dont worry about it too much, simply remember to allow a couple of minutes for the turbo to spool down and idle so as to dissipate heat before switching off the engine.