I'm either doing this wrong, or something is wrong (heating/suspension)

[CorsePerVita]

So I just purchased a 1982 Porsche 911 SC Targa. Loving it!

However, when I test drove it everything was fine, worked great.

Today, this morning I needed to defrost, wee bit chilly outside. I slid the levers to what I thought was the right place, and my defroster is blowing cold air out the defroster, but i get HOT air out the side vents on both sides. The levers work to open up the air from the heat exchangers, so I know that part is working since it goes to cold air when I close them near the e-brake.

I tried various settings and no matter which way I have the lever, I simply cannot get the defroster or the center vents to blow out hot air. Sometimes I can actually get hot air to come out the center vent but it's passive, doesn't seem like it's fan driven.

I looked at the user manual, read it, went over and over all the various settings and I'm at a loss and horribly confused. I get the feeling that it's just not operating right since I can't understand why the defroster would be blowing cold air.

Also.. i started having a little fun with the car yesterday and noticed upon somewhat hard cornering turning LEFT ONLY I get an almost gritty/scraping sound followed by tire squeal that is very brief. It doesn't sound like understeer, it's not THAT hard on turning. I can turn right very hard and it won't do this. Even if I just go in a parking lot, crank left, and in 1st gear go in a circle, at some point, i'll get the sound. It is definitely coming from the front left wheel. Very odd.

I understand the car has been lowered, so it may be rubbing, but the gritty sound baffles me, perhaps a loose strut? I'm going to get it up on stands tonight and look at it, I'm sure it's a simple fix.

Aside from that the car runs like a top, strong as can be and I am insanely happy with my purchase. A wonderful upgrade from my 944.

[Joe Bob]

Not the same year but close....

[CorsePerVita]

Yeah so I guess i'm not crazy, so it seems to be working "as intended" looks like I need to play with the controls, although I could not for the life of me get hot air through the defrost. Although it did the first time I drove it. I'll play with it more.

Now I Just have to figure out the suspension issue.

Thank you kindly for the above by the way.

[arbita1]

DEFROST - Try this and see if it works.

Top two levers all the way to the left. Bottom lever all the way to the right. Two red levers between the seats pulled up all the way.

You should have hot air blowing out of the defrost grill.

SCRAPING - for some reason the left wheel of these cars has a tendency to rub (when lowered). I had this problem until I had my car corner balanced and the fenders rolled. I'm slightly lower than Euro height now. Check your left tire and and see if you find any signs of the fender scraping the outside. Also look at your fender and inside the wheel well to see if you see any scraping signs there as well. What size tires/wheels do you have up front?

That should get you started.

[CorsePerVita]

Originally Posted by arbita1

DEFROST - Try this and see if it works.

Top two levers all the way to the left. Bottom lever all the way to the right. Two red levers between the seats pulled up all the way.

You should have hot air blowing out of the defrost grill.

SCRAPING - for some reason the left wheel of these cars has a tendency to rub (when lowered). I had this problem until I had my car corner balanced and the fenders rolled. I'm slightly lower than Euro height now. Check your left tire and and see if you find any signs of the fender scraping the outside. Also look at your fender and inside the wheel well to see if you see any scraping signs there as well. What size tires/wheels do you have up front?

That should get you started.

I'll look when I get home. Interesting that it does that when lowered. Someone on a forum I'm on (not porsche related, but the fellow is very familiar with the models) commented: "Looks like it's been lowered too much" also commented that it is possible the previous owner had lowered it and perhaps unevenly, though it looks fine to me.

Didn't understand why till you said that and put 2 and 2 together. It's not the left wheel though it's the right wheel, it's only when I turn left (so all the weight is moving onto the right side)

Here's a pic if it helps. I'll check tire profiles when I get home.

[arbita1]

Originally Posted by CorsePerVita

I'll look when I get home. Interesting that it does that when lowered. Someone on a forum I'm on (not porsche related, but the fellow is very familiar with the models) commented: "Looks like it's been lowered too much"

Didn't understand why till you said that and put 2 and 2 together.

Here's a pic if it helps. I'll check tire profiles when I get home.

Looks like 6" wheels with 205/55/16's...which is correct. But yeah...it does look a bit low for a stock suspension. The problem may be if you lowering without stiffening the suspension, you could be more prone to rubbing. I have a modified suspension and I used to be that low. Here is my current height.



Check that stuff and report back.

[CorsePerVita]

Will do, thanks for all the tips!

[RSTarga]

It looks like the rubbing may be in the rear. check the inside of your fenders to see if there is scraping

[Nick Triesch]

If you want fresh air...open a window! Nick

[Jrboulder]

Congrats on the purchase! as it turns out not all of your porsches are really slow.

[Gogar]

Congratulations!!!!!

Welcome to the Porsche 911: one of the only cars in the world that can have

1. Heat
2. Vent
3. Air Conditioning

All on at the same time.