3.2 that doesn't like winters

You might all think that I'm mad, but can any of you tell me if it's possible to reduce the amount of cooling air to my 1984 3.2!? I usually don't drive my 911 during winter months, but even during september/october the tempratures are low thereby causing me trouble. My car will take a looong time to reach operating temp during these autumn tempratures and it annoys me. During winter it sometimes never reach operating temp at all. That's bad for the engine. Is it possible to install some kind of air shielding under the engine (like on the 964s)? I would then be able to put in on the car when it's cold and take it off during summer. Any other suggestions are welcome too. Thanks from cold Scandinavia.

Maybe the oil thermostat is defective and
allowing the oil to pass through the cooler
all the time resulting in Low operating temps. I would look at figuring out what the problem really is vs bloking air flow.

Check the front oil cooler if on cool days this cooler feels warm and the car is running at low operating temps then oil is passing through the cooler when is should not.

Good Luck
Joe A

[This message has been edited by jabb (edited 09-06-2000).]

I agree with jabb...the first thing that came to mind was a faulty oil thermostat. I have never replaced one, but it should be a fairly easy job.

Bill

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William Armentrout
1973 911T
2.7 carerra rs specs
www.geocities.com/william_armentrout

What oil temp do you consider too cold? My car ('78SC) warms up only to just past the first white mark (~180F) on cold days. On hot days it quickly climbs to this same level and later stabilizes at midway on the gage (~210F). I really hate these no-number gages, stupid to put one in a sportscar from the factory. Does your car respond similarly?

Thanks for the suggestions. Maybe I should have written it right from the start, but my oil thermostat seems to be working fine. I started out assuming that the thermostat needed replacement, but after paying attention and holding my hand near the oil tubes to the cooler I'm pretty sure the thermostat is ok.

My car will reach operating temp quickly enough (5 to 10 miles of driving) during summer, but during colder months it takes longer and longer. I think the car is simply overengineered in order to withstand warm climates and track sessions (compared to my quiet driving). I consider operating temp to be 90 degree Celcius which is at the first white marking on the scale, just below the middle. At the buttom of the scale I have a short white area which indicates the "warming up cold start area".

What weight/brand of oil are you using?

I saw some Mobile 1 0W30 repeat 0W30. It says it will pump down to -68!!! Might need that stuff up here in Minnesota

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Bill Krause
'79 911SC Euro

Maybe you, or a shop could make something out of sheet metal that would partially cover up the front of the fan shroud so less air would be sucked in. Kinda like school busses do in front to cover their radiators. Heck you could probably get it chromed. Just a thought.

Leon 78SC

At what point on the scale are you comfortable taking the 911 up to 4500. Seems to me that just past the bottom white area would be warm enough, or is it farther up the scale.?
*88 911

I use Castrol Formula SLX 0W30 fully synthetic oil. This oil is supposed to provide maximum protection at cold starts. My car doesn't have any oil leaks and it almost doesn't use any oil at all. I don't rev the engine above 4000 rpm unless it has reached operating temp, which according to the manual is 90 degree Celcius. Maybe I'm worrying too much, but I just want to preserve my engine so it will last longer. During hot summer tempratures I can drive it hard above 100 mph for long distances and then get caught in stop and go traffic. The oil temp gauge will then indicate slightly more than 90 degree C (just a bit over the first white marking). So it obviously doesn't lack cooling. Thanks again.

This may sound a bit off the wall, but why not install a 5 bladed fan during the cold months and if it works out better during the warmer months, it may not be worth the trouble to put the 11 bladed fan back on.

Just a thought...

Joe