Cooling System Problems - fixed (for now)

[Adam]

Well, after working all day Saturday (a very long 9 hours), I drove the 911 onto one of the hoists at work to get started on the oil change and themostat replacement I had planned. Pity I work 6 days a week! I coulda started at 8:00am and finished by 9:30!



First step is draining the oil. I ended up with a slick worthy of Exxon! Mopped up using plenty of fresh (and quite cherished) workshop rags. Then I pulled the thermostat from the housing. It was tough, as there's little room for swinging a wrench... but I got it off and checked out the innards.



I couldn't tell if it was faulty or not, but I had since decided to replace it, whatever the outcome. I was surprised to compare the new spring and the old spring before installation. The new one was a lot longer, though only marginally stiffer.



I cleaned the thermostat housing of most of the oil I had spilled and then re-inserted the new piston and spring assembly. It's a really messy job!



Then, all that was left to do was replace the filter and fill with oil. Factory "P O R S C H E" filter used, of course.



While it was on the hoist, it gave me a good chance to inspect the underside of the car. It's not bad at all, considering it's 26 years old! The brake pads look good and the bushes I could see were in fine condition.

After road testing the car at length, the temp is about 1 degree hotter in the short term, but a lot more static. The lines leading upto the oil cooler were nice and hot and the cooler itself was enjoying heat that it's never felt in my ownership. In my time, they've always been stone cold. It now runs at a stable 82-83 degrees! I'm very pleased with the outcome!

[Matt Holcomb]

Adam,

Now you're going to have steam coming out from under your right front wheel arch whenever you drive over sodden roads!

Good work! You should be quite pleased with yourself -- your car is ready for next Sunday's convoy!


Matt Holcomb
1974 911 Carrera 2.7 Euro
1975 Mercedes-Benz 280SE
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