|
|
|
|
| Author |
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 335
|
Car Broke Down...Need Help
Well, fellow posters...I've had my first ever car stall when out driving my baby.....can you help me with the diagnosis please? (I am learning, but I am still not quite the 944 turbo expert)
1986 951 with 109,000 miles Temperature today: around 85-degrees BREAKDOWN PROBLEM: * Drove car for about 30 miles into downtown Portland * Parked car for 1 hour for lunch * Drove car after lunch....noticed that engine temp needle quickly hit the red-zone.... slight never-heard-before constant whining whirring type sound coming from the turbo area when car was idling * Engine check light (!) lit up * Stopped car....noticed slight oil or water leak under the driver front wheel fender * Also realised turbo water pump did not come on after the engine was turned off I also realised that the car would idle fine earlier during the day, but there seemed to be some rattling noise near the turbo area when starting the engine today. I waited for an hour for the tow truck to arrive and take my baby to the shop. The car will start, but the engine temp needle will climb fairly quickly into the red zone after a few minutes of idling (but no more rattling sound or oil leak). It could be a faulty turbo water pump relay. But my hunch is that the problem is bigger than this (especially with the evidence of an oil leak). Unfortunately, I am not an expert on the turbo system, and I was wondering if you guys will be kind enough to offer some hunches on the cause of the problem(s). THANKS IN ADVANCE!!! Last edited by andrewgoh; 08-30-2003 at 06:28 PM.. |
||
08-30-2003, 06:20 PM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 35
|
Andrew
My guess is: Most likely the water pump failed or the thermostat failed (blocked) resulted in coolant overheat . The water leak from the left front fender was just coolant overflow because the coolant was boiling. The overflow tube exits from the neck of the coolant reservoir and routes down to the fender area. The whining hoise could be from the water pump rather than from the turbo itself (it would normally be difficult to locate the exact location of the noise when the engine is running anyway, I thought). The pump especially would whine if the thermostat is blocked. The turbo water pump relay may be faulty. However, it would also be possible that the increased in coolant pressure has damaged or prevented the turbo water pump from turning. I could'nt think of a reason for the oil leak though, could it be a red herring? |
||
|
08-30-2003, 10:18 PM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 335
|
The ground was fairly dirty....it was hard to determine if it was an oil leak or water leak. I hope that it is simply a water pump or thermostat...cos' I needed to change the timing belt (2 years since the last time). Thanks for your help!
|
||
|
08-31-2003, 08:28 AM
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 335
|
Just heard from the shop...
The water pump seized up and it caused the whining sound. Leak turned out to be water overflowing from the coolant discharge pipe. The timing belt was fairly worn from having to work against the seized bearing. But fortunately, no damage to the head or valves. I also needed to change a worn 2-year old distributor and rotor (estimate: $990). It was about time for a timing belt change anyway (2 years since the last one)...but I am surprised that the water pump seized up after 2 years...oh well.... Thanks to those who posted!!! |
||
|
09-02-2003, 03:47 PM
|
|
