From: James at Pelican Parts [james@pelicanparts.com] Sent: Saturday, June 12, 1999 3:40 PM To: bob@pelicanparts.com; Dave Darling; Pliska, Brian . - Process; tom@pelicanparts.com Subject: Re: "Hot" 944 James at Pelican Parts wrote: > Hi Brian Actually it sounds like your car is in pretty good shape. Your problem > may be the A/C compressor is just old and causing too much of a drag on the motor; > or you may have an FI condition causing the car to run hot. Dragging brakes and > driving habits may also be an issue. But barring that, there is a hole bunch of > things that can be done to cool the motor down some. It sounds like your thermo > switch is a real possibility, but it can't be said for sure without testing or > replacing. > > First thing is to get the basics down: Be sure your coolant is fresh, and mixed in > the proper proportion; use ONLY distilled water. I understand Redline Water Wetter > is a good product but I don't have allot of personal experience with it. I use it > in my FF race car to lubricate the cooling system because antifreeze is > prohibited. > > Be sure to maintain the oil properly. I like to use Swepco 15w40, except in the FF > race car where I use Redline 40 (because the motor was developed and built for > that oil). There are also other good oils like: Motul, Spectro, Agip, and Royle > Purple. > > I'm not sure if the thermostat switch for the fans is working correctly or not. > The thermostat switch is basically a VW/Bosch part and it may be possible to find > one that comes on at a lower temperature ( there is actually 3 or 4 for the 944, > but I don't know what the difference is); If not VW, perhaps try Audi, Saab, or > Volvo (the part is usually marked with temperature range). You can also install a > manual override switch for the fans. You can make this as simple or as complicated > as you wish. > > I understand that a turbo radiator conversion is popular, but I'm not sure of the > details since I already own a turbo. If you own an automatic it may not be > possible. The turbo water pump is now the only replacement; but you should consult > the factory tech bulletin as it is not a simple direct replacement. > > You might also consider adding a turbo oil cooler. > > I'm not sure what to tell you about the gauge. Sometimes its printed in the owners > manual, or like on my 911, its on the gauge, out of plain sight in very small > print. Generally, the low mark is about 150 deg., center is 200 deg., and the red > zone is 250+ deg. > > I'm sure Tom is parts (1-888-280-7799) can help you sort through any specific > questions or needs. > > Good luck, > > james > > Wayne at Pelican Parts wrote: > > > Hi there. I'm going to forward you to James in Tech Support, who can probably > > help you out. > > > > Thanks, > > > > Wayne > > > > "Pliska, Brian . - Process" wrote: > > > > > Can someone please help me? I am the concerned owner of an '85-1/2 944 > > > (non-turbo). The car has less than 90k miles on it and is equipped with air > > > conditioning and two electrically-controlled cooling fans. I have heard > > > some about cooling system upgrades (newer design water pumps, larger > > > radiators, wetting agents, etc.). My car typically runs cool, approximately > > > the first mark on the temperature gauge, when in motion, even in the Utah > > > summer and climbing moderate hills. My concern arises when in stop and go > > > traffic, the temperature rises above the 2/3rds mark and to the bottom of > > > the red mark before the cooling fans engage. The dealer advised that this > > > in not a concern, but I fear that I may do damage to the aluminum head. > > > Once the fans engage, the temperature returns to normal. The car has never > > > overheated and there don't appear to be any cracks in the overflow > > > reservoir. Is this typical of a 944 of this vintage? Should I be > > > concerned? Is there a fan switch that actuates at lower temperature? What > > > is the temperature corresponding to eaX-Mozilla-Status: 0009ture gauge? > > > Thank you in advance for any advice that you can provide.