Temp gauge

[kghjr]

It goes straight to 300 degrees, almost immediately. The engine is not hot, but the temp gauge says it is on the verge of overheating. Faulty gauge, sensor, or both?

Update: I cleaned the contact point. Seems to be fine now.

[Dmitry at Pelican Parts]

Faulty thermostat?

[kghjr]

Originally Posted by Dmitry at Pelican Parts

Faulty thermostat?

Thanks Dimitry,

The thermostat and the heat sending unit are the same piece?

I had my guys at Storz go over the engine, when I first got he car, and they found that the thermostat had a minor leak, but when he went to pull it out, he found the O-ring had been replaced by some kind of glue in what appeared to be a lame short-cut to getting a new O-ring.

Hillbilly Porsche mechanic in San Diego or San Antonio, whoever did it did not document it.

We cannot risk having dried glue particles fall into the engine by digging it out. The engine has to come out and be upside down to replace the thermostat.

Now I'm wondering if the thermostat is sending false information, is it malfunctioning to the point of engine failure? Does it control the flow of oil or just measure heat?

[86 911 Targa]

Originally Posted by kghjr

It goes straight to 300 degrees, almost immediately. The engine is not hot, but the temp gauge says it is on the verge of overheating. Faulty gauge, sensor, or both?

Update: I cleaned the contact point. Seems to be fine now.

Possibly a grounded wire.

[kghjr]

Originally Posted by 86 911 Targa

Possibly a grounded wire.

Could a wire have come loose behind the dash when I was removing and replacing the blower? Possibly. Guess I should take it apart again and inspect. Start process of elimination, but best guess is the thermostat needs to be replaced. The question is, does it control oil flow rates, like the thermostat of a V-8 controls coolant flow rates?

[86 911 Targa]

Originally Posted by kghjr

Could a wire have come loose behind the dash when I was removing and replacing the blower? Possibly. Guess I should take it apart again and inspect. Start process of elimination, but best guess is the thermostat needs to be replaced. The question is, does it control oil flow rates, like the thermostat of a V-8 controls coolant flow rates?

Yes, the T-Stat opens gradually to an increase in oil temperature.

Also, have a look at the oil temp sensor at the lower right rear on the motor.

Gerry

[kghjr]

Originally Posted by 86 911 Targa

Yes, the T-Stat opens gradually to an increase in oil temperature.

Also, have a look at the oil temp sensor at the lower right rear on the motor.

Gerry

This sensor, with the wire attached?

[86 911 Targa]

Originally Posted by kghjr

This sensor, with the wire attached?

Yes, be certain that the wire is well connected,
and, verify that the gauge connections are correct.

[universeman]

Check continuity between that end of the wire and the corresponding wire on the back of the gauge.

You can drop the sender in boiling water attached to a DMM and check the resistance as it heats up, to determine whether or not the sender is faulty.

[kghjr]

Great info, thanks.

Ironically, it's at the body shop for a week or so and when I get it back, the 2nd temp plates are expired, I will not be able to drive it until the Texas title gets here. The original title had a whole line of white-out when I got it. My old bro-in-law is versed in maritime law but not title regulations. I knew it was non-negotiable to DMV, but was able to get a temp and one extension. I sent the title back to bro-in-law in Texas. A week or so later he took it to DMV, they rejected it for needing paperwork from his attorney in California because the car's owner is titled as a trust (don't ask me why).

Right now, we are waiting for paperwork from California to bro-in-law, then wait for him to go to DMV, wait for them to mail it back to him, wait for him to mail it to me. Who knows when I'll get a clear title. I just hope he doesn't mess up the new one. Bless his heart, he is too old to fathom the bureaucracy of all this. Good for him that I bought it and not the guy in Houston, who would have sued his pants off by now and won.

I don't care, it's coming back with a pristine unblemished front bumper and double Durants. I can wait until the cows come home (as long as it takes).