engine running hot

[rickpollman]

Have 75 911 S 2.7 when I got it had oil leak from chain cover so I didn't really run it very long, bought gaskets and found the chain tensioners were shot so I replaced them with oil fed chain tensioners but seems to be running to hot, removed, cleaned and reinstalled oil cooler removed alternater to make sure there wasn't any obstruction still seems to hot what should the average engine temp be?

thanks

[dfhtrhjn]

My 1977 2.7L hovers at 185, on a 100 degree day running it hard it'll climb to 210.

[dap930]

Depending on how hot it is running, the engine mounted oil thermostat may have gone bad. Had that happen to both the engine thermostat and the front oil cooler thermostat on my 930.

[RSTarga]

Do you have an 11 blade fan?
Any oil cooler at the front right fender?

[Trackrash]

Originally Posted by RSTarga

Do you have an 11 blade fan?
Any oil cooler at the front right fender?

That and what exhaust does it have? Thermal reactors still?

[rickpollman]

It has a 11 blade fan and no cooler in the front. There are no thermal reactors. It heats up to between 210 and 250 just idling. Is the thermostat accessible with engine in the car??

[Targalid]

I recommend a point and shoot thermometer to help diagnose engine heat issues. You can get one cheap at Harbor Freight or from Amazon. You may have a hot engine or you may have an erroneous temperature indicator. First get a diagnosis, then treat the problem.
https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Lasergrip-774-Non-contact-Thermometer/dp/B00837ZGRY?crid=1FQIQ3D3ZYWOC&keywords=ir+temperature+gun&qid=1540652769&sprefix=Ir+temper%2Caps%2C357&sr=8-1-spons&ref=sr_1_1_sspa&psc=1

[rwest]

Many things can cause hot running including fuel mixture being too lean or timing being off.

I don’t think engine thermostats fail very often, so I wouldn’t just replace it until you can verify. Yes, you can replace while in car, but it is a pain.

[Trackrash]

+1 on the IR thermometer. A friend of mine just got his 3,0L running and his temp gauge would never show more than 120 degrees. He aimed his thermometer at the oil tank and it showed 220 degrees.

BTW, a front oil cooler is a VERY good idea on the 2,7s.

If you are actually running over 220 you should figure out the cause.

[Paulporsche]

When you say it heats up to 250 just idling do you mean you are letting it idle for an extended period of time? I don't know your history so please don't be offended, but do you realize these cars work better and stay cooler when moving? They don't like idling. If you know this, then I hope you'll excuse me. I see you have very few posts so I'm thinking you may be new to these cars...

As others have mentioned, check your timing and mixture. Too much advance or too lean can cause overheating.

Can you hear oil gurgling through the line up to the front cooler? Are that line and cooler hot?

[rickpollman]

Thank you all for your input and great information. Unfortunately, got busy with work and the project went on hold. I did get a infra red thermometer for further diagnoses, but would appreciate additional info on areas to point the thermometer to assist in pin pointing the hot spot.
Again, thanks to All!

[Targa3.0+]

I've had three of these things over the past 20 years, living in the deep south, and have learned a few things about hot running 911s that may be useful for somebody.
- '75 911S Targa, bought with no front cooler, dealer installed A/C and short lived 2.7. it would get up to 230 quickly and headed toward 250 on either a long drive with the A/C on, or idling with or without the A/C. Installed used pipes and a trombone, helped some, but would still head to 230 on the highway with the A/C on when in the 90's outside. Idling got hot quick. installed a 3.0 with 964 cams, was definitely faster, but got hot quicker! Found a 21 tube brass cooler at Hershey, that helped more - would stay under 220 on a mid 90's day with the A/C on, unless stopped in traffic, then headed up the gauge quickly. Learned to live without the A/C when stuck in traffic in 90 degree weather. Rebuilt the 3.0 at 10.5 compression, ran a bit hotter, probably because my foot was in it all the time, definitely didn't like heavy traffic. installed a 964 front cooler - yes, it can be done but requires the back of the headlight bucket to be cut out, the regular SC and Carrera oil cooler hoses fit - good thing because they had to come on and off about 5 times while installing this thing. Installed two electric fans on it as well, one sucking at the bottom and one pushing at the top, as the cooler is at a sharp angle to make it fit. HUGE difference. It NEVER gets above 200 on the highway no matter how hot it is outside. And sitting in traffic on a 95 degree day, it never goes above 220 with both fans on. That is the answer.

- 86 3.2s, two of them over the years. Added a fan to both coolers, and while highway is fine with the A/C on no matter how hot outside, Neither like sitting in traffic with the A/C on in 90's weather. at 225, I start turning the A/C off and just enjoying the sweat. Only have the Cab now, am probably going to put the 21 tube cooler off the '75 above in the left front fender as a second cooler and see how that works next summer - here in New Orleans heat.

Bob

[BoxsterGT]

Targa3.0+ and others-

I can help with Custom Oil Hoses for that additional cooler up front. I also have "Direct Connect" AN-12 fittings that connect directly to Porsche Oil hoses without costly adapters so that less expensive aftermarket AN oil coolers can be used.

The Black fittings on the right are AN-12....


Here is a 930 w a less costly Front Cooler and AN-12 fittings....


For info, email only.

Len dot Cummings at verizon dot net

[T77911S]

++ on engine T stat,.
mine did the same thing,.
what led me to it was if it idled and got hot it would NOT cool down, it stayed hot,.

one other thing about hot idling. too much retard in the timing at idle WILL make it run hot...BUT, only at idle. it should cool down once driving.
I did the testing on my 77 to prove it.

my 77s with 11blade, loop cooler and back dated exhaust would run hot when I drove it hard, around 220+ but I never drove it hard for very long. no track days, probably 190 normally

[pampadori]

another take on this - could be wiring related. you removed the timing covers? that's where the temp sender is. i had a poor ground on that portion of the harness once that caused the temp gauge to read high. I removed the harness to do some other work one day and then put it back. Temp gauge magically started reading correct temps.

[trond]

How is your oil pressure at high temperatures? If you really have high temperatures oil pressure will be lower too.