Gray slimmy stuff in coolant

porsche85 · 01-23-2003, 10:27 AM

I have a 85.5 944 n/a porsche. I went out of state to college and left it in the garage for about 3 months. When I checked the coolant the other day it had gray slimmy feeling stuff in it. Me and my buddies drained the radiator and ran water through it until it was clean. I filled it back up with anti-freeze and water and started the car to get it to circulate. After a while there was more of the gray **** in there. So we pulled the resevoir (with the stuff floating on top of the anti-freeze) out and drained it and cleaned it. I let the car run for a little while after I filled it back up again. And again the gray stuff showed up, but just alittle bit this time. Has anyone ever had this problem before? This may halp alittle. There is a gasket leaking (cam housing I think). I have replaced it once before. There is a possibility that two different kinds of anti-freeze were previously mixed in the car. Although my oil doesn't look to have water in it (atleast not on the dip stick) the oil level is really high. I asked my dad if he had added some while I was gone, but he said no. If anyone has any ideas, please tell me. Also, the clutch pedal stays down some of the time and I have to pull it up with my foot. It doesn't do it very often, but it's scarry when it does. So needless to say, don't ever let your 944 set. Thanks for any help.

AFJuvat · 01-23-2003, 10:32 AM

Your oil cooler seals are shot.

You will have to replace the oil cooler seals, and completely flush the radiator and motor.

AFJuvat

porsche85 · 01-23-2003, 10:36 AM

Thanks, that sounds better than a head gasket. Do you know anything about the clutch problem, someone told me that I may need a new slave or master cylinder. Where are these located at on the car?

ae1969 · 01-23-2003, 10:38 AM

The slave is causing your clutch problem....but your better of changing both.

porsche85 · 01-23-2003, 10:47 AM

That's what I thought too. Where is it at on the car? I had the brake master cylinder replaced about 4 months ago. Is the brake and clutch master/slave cylinders not the same? I thought I read somewhere that the clutch and brake hydraulic system was the same? Sounds stupid I know. I'm not a mechanic, just a hard core porsche inthusiast. Oh yea, you wouldn't be interested in a custom speaker box (professionally built, not just some crap threw together) that takes up the whole trunk space would ya? If your interested I'll send pictures and details. Thanks for the info.

speedracin944 · 01-23-2003, 09:17 PM

Before I bought, no wait adopted my 944 I took it in for a PPI with the owner with me. Mostly everything checked out but the oil cooler seals. They quoted my $1200 to fix. Luckly the current owner dropped the price of the car $1200 on the spot. I would say the PPI was worth every penny of the $70. The slave cylinder in underneith the car near the starter if I am not mistaken. I also had the problem where I stored the car over winter and came back to find the clutch not comming back up. It was easy to replace but needs to be bled. The clutch and brakes to feed off of the same resivoir. After replaceing the slave cylinder I took it apart to find the dust cover was ripped real bad and a piece of crud got stuck in the seal which caused it to leak. good luck.

porsche85 · 01-23-2003, 11:47 PM

Thanks, so replacing the oil cooler seals is a pretty expensive thing, huh. I didn't think it would be that bad. Also, while I'm replacing the oil cooler seals, clutch slave/master cylinder, cam housing gasket, and getting all new transaxle gaskets, is there anything that you would recomend me changing? I'm kinda new at this whole "maintaining an old porsche thing"

todwic · todwic's Garage

OMG!!! They have Porsches in Arkansas?? What part are you from? I just moved from Russellville almost 3 yrs ago. I'll prolly go out there on vacation within the year, we should hook up and slolam some haybales.

porsche85 · 01-24-2003, 06:22 AM

Yea, we have Porsche's. I had the only one in town until about two months ago. Have you ever heard of Jonesboro Arkansas? I'm about 45 minutes from there in a little town called Pocahontas. It's in NorthEast Arkansas.

As for my clutch.....well......this morning, the pedal went to the floor. Have to have a clutch master/slave cylinder now. The car won't move, and there's a huge puddle under it. How lovely.

FLA944 · 01-24-2003, 06:29 AM

The seal kit for your oil cooler can be had here at Pelican. I recommend replacing the pressure relief valve at the same time also available here. remember you have an 85.5 that has the updated cooler and relief valve.

The repair is easy, just messy as you need to clean the cooler/housing etc.. extensively.

Check the condition of the front seals (if front is wet) and replace
as needed. Pelican has a front seal kit just for this. The front crank seal will most probably be cracked and leaking.

While you're up front think Belts,Belts,Belts!! also take a good look at the water pump. My rule of thumb is if I'm going to be in there anyway replace it. I don't like surprises after I just put it together.

Rick

porsche85 · 01-24-2003, 08:41 AM

thanks, i'll keep that in mind. How hard is it to do, remember, I'm not a mechanic. Should I attempt it, or have a real mechanic do it?

FLA944 · 01-25-2003, 07:21 AM

This work is easy on a 1-10 scale a 3.

If you have tools and can read either Haynes or the FSM is good.

After assembly fill with water and cleaner only, turn on heater to clean out the heater core as well. When all cleaned rinse then add your 50/50 antifreeze.