Bypassing internal oil thermostat

[jwakil]

Anyone ever try bypassing the thermostat for the internal oil cooler, so oil always goes through the cooler? I think my thermostat is malfunctioning and since I live in hot Texas was considering doing something like that vs replacing the thermostat. I would rather be on the cold side vs burning up my engine.

[enjefriy]

interesting idea. i donno whether mine is even working as it should.
I hope someone with a clue chimes in.
Whether there's a method of confirming its operation without having to remove the thermostat that is

[proffighter]

I did. Just remove the whole unit, then you'll see a clip at the lower end inside. Remove it and you can take out the complete bowels and refit the empty housing

[James Brown]

Maybe you can put another oil filter where the old oil cool was?

[proffighter]

+1

I mounted the 964 filter console

[jwakil]

Actually I realized that if you removed all the thermostat internals, the openings for both routes (through the cooler and not through the cooler) would be open. Therefore the oil would go which ever route had the lowest pressure drop. So thats probably not what I want. I want it to only go through the oil cooler. To proffighter: Did your engine temps go down after your took out the thermostat internals? I don't really understand the comments about adding another oil filter? I'm not removing the cooler?

[jwakil]

Just to clear confusion, I'm not trying to bypass the oil cooler. I'm trying to do the opposite, have all oil go through cooler all the time.

[proffighter]

Of course you don't let the oil bypass the cooler or filter. Otherwise, you only let it go trough there. The filter console is standard at 964/965 engines with no thermostat in there (see PET). Older 911 had only an elbow instead of cooler or filter. Filter the oil before the engine circuit is standard at modern engines, so why not use?

[Scooter]

Would there be any problem with running oil that is not up to the proper temperature (180 degrees) running through the oil lines and cooler? I would think the flow would be restricted somewhat with the oil being thicker when cooler? Is pressure an issue?

[proffighter]

No problem, there is a safety valve too

Look here:

Last attempt to save the motor... (LONG STORY)

[jwakil]

I don't know anything about this 964 filter console. So basically this forces all oil through the cooler, and fits into the existing thermostat location?

[jwakil]

Just to make doubly clear, I'm talking about the thermostat for the engine cooler, NOT for the auxilary front cooler.

[WERK I]

Originally Posted by jwakil

I don't know anything about this 964 filter console. So basically this forces all oil through the cooler, and fits into the existing thermostat location?

Actually, no. It replaces the internal engine oil cooler. Porsche started using this first with the 964 Turbo's and subsequently in all 993 engines.

I'm in the process of putting all the parts together to do mine. Smart Racing will be supplying some of the conversion parts. Btw, you must remove and replace the engine oil thermostat with a 964 Turbo or 993 oil thermostat adapter plug or it won't work properly.

Pic courtesy of Rob (a.k.a. Rob 930).

[WERK I]

[jwakil]

Wow, that is a beautiful engine. But that's more than I want to do ( I don't see how this would make the engine run cooler, but anyway...). All I want to do is modify my thermostat so it is permanently stuck in the open position so oil always goes thru the cooler.

[WERK I]

Originally Posted by jwakil

Wow, that is a beautiful engine. But that's more than I want to do ( I don't see how this would make the engine run cooler, but anyway...). All I want to do is modify my thermostat so it is permanently stuck in the open position so oil always goes thru the cooler.

I'm sure Rob appreciates your compliment.

Regarding the coolers, it is highly recommended that you do NOT defeat the oil thermostats either on the engine or the one controlling the front oil cooler. There is a scenario when engine is in a cold start condition, the combination of high oil pressure and low flow rates due to oil viscosity will burst the oil cooler.

Just to set the record straight here, the oil coolers(engine and front) are being fully utilized once the engine is up to normal operating temperature. (approx. 185
*-195* F).
If you feel you need more cooling capacity, you will have to increase the size of oil cooler or increase the amount of air going through the cooler. (thermostat controlled fan)

[patkeefe]

If you somehow manage to force all of your oil throught the cooler, you will blow the cooler up. Maybe not today, but it will blow up eventually.

[ChkbookMechanic]

jwakil,

It would help to know:

1) Which front cooler you have now and do you have a fan installed on it?
2) Are your oil lines from the engine to the cooler kinked or crushed?
3) Are you willing to go to a different bumper to facilitate the use of a front-mount oil cooler?

Personally, I wouldn't modify my thermostat to keep it always stuck in the open position due to the scenario posted by WERK I. But if that is what you want to do, why not just remove it and fabricate some oil hoses to bypass the thermostat?

I don't know where in Texas you live, but I found that a second oil cooler in the driver side fender helped the temps of the oil. The only problem you run into doing this is relocating the evap canister for the fuel tank (unless you're running a fuel cell).

[jwakil]

Good point about the pressures and blowing out the cooler. This whole thing started because I believe my internal thermostat is not opening up properly at high temps, causing overheat. Instead of getting a new one, I thought it might be better and cheaper just to modify it to be open all the time. I already have a front cooler, but it can't do the job by itself. I think I will end up just replacing with a new thermostat.

[James Brown]

Awww jwakil, I thought you were coming up with some new cooling device that will make you millions!! Just the old engine-gets-hot-blame-the-oil-thermostat-first post. This ain't no Chevy or Ford (or panamera) cooling system thermostat. It's a pressure actuated thermo reactive bypass control unit. Did you check yours to see that it has failed? (good old boiling water method) Does the front oil cooler get hot when the temp is high? Remember the big three things you need to keep these cars cool, oil flow, air flow and a medium to transfer heat (oil cooler size). Anyone can change parts till the problem goes away (hopefully) but understanding how the system works will save you time and money.