Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Well, as I said, my car is almost up to working spot on now . But since the engine swap, another problem has arrived.

On the original engine, the car as far as I could tell was overcooling according to a few people. This wasn't surprising considering that the car hadn't been used much over the last 3-4 years and that the stats tend to go weak. According to the gauge, it would stay at around 70-80 degrees on the motorway, and in town when coming to a halt, it would climb up to around 95 degrees where the fans would cut in, and the temperature would fall down to around 85 degrees.

Prior to the new engine being installed, a cambelt kit was installed, as was a clutch and I also took the opportunity to change the thermostat thinking the one in the engine could be weak. But I am wondering if this has been a mixed blessing.

If the heater is on completely full heat (i.e in the red) the car will stay at around 80-85 degrees on a run. If the heater is set to quite cold, the car will then sit at 90-93 degrees on a run, and if halfway, I can hear the vacuum pump clicking in out with the air either being warm or coldish when it comes out of the vents. This causes the temps to swing between 80-95 on a run , with it being 80ish when the heat is coming out, and around 90 when there is cold air coming out (I assume this is down to the flow of water going into the matrix.

I know the amount of water in a matrix can change levels, but surely not to this degree. The cooling fans now kick in when the car is around near 100 degrees too :S.

What do you think is the cause of the strange issues? I'm tempted to try fitting a cooler thermostat to be honest, although I'm wondering if the radiator is at fault (It is still on the original rad), and I am thinking whether the cooler thermostat was masking this problems since I am wondering if the matrix is now a sort of surrogate radiator. What do you guys reckon?

Here the gauge markings for those unfamiliar with it:

Looks about right compared to mine TBH, the temp gauge does wag as the stat opens & closes.

I agree, sounds about right.
I have new stats and it sits around horizontal on a run so 90 ish. It always climbs a little on uphill drags and drops going downhill.
It will sit in traffic cycling through the fans quite happily, I have no concerns about overheating.
I pexpect the ambient running temp to drop gradually over the next year or 2 as the stat springs loosen a little. A lower temp stat had crossed my mind but cars do function better at higher (but normal) temps. All VWs I've seen run at bang on 90.
I'd be inclined to use it and as long as it isn't overheating. loosing coolant etc then that's how it's supposed to be.
I always wondered why the gauge is so mobile mind - newer cars seem fixed whther in traffic or not.
Should this be in parts for sale BTW?

Nope, it was me being a clot (and most likely half asleep!).

Is it ok if a Mod moves this over to the appropriate section please?

Sounds about right to me too and mirrrors what mine do as well.

Whether our dash gauges are 100% accurate themselves is another matter, just remember that a lot of cars don't even have a gauge, just a warning light if they overheat. Sometimes we have too many gauges and just worry about this and that uneccessarily

I never find myself worrying about water temps.

mine also hovers just above the 80 degree mark, rising to just below the 100 degree mark before the fan cuts in

This is a fair point. I blame my last car for that, a Peugeot 306. The Ford Focus' gauge never moved off halfway. The Peugeot's gauge always sat at 75 degrees on the motorway, moving up to 85 if you gave the car some beans. In traffic it would go to 97 degrees where the fans would cut in. From my previous cars, the Peugeot did initially give me a fright (it also had an oil temp gauge).



It's good to see that we still have humour within the Porsche circles .

don't forget to check your anti-freeze

You've seen Gordons excuse for a wine cellar then

paul that hurts we have extensive stocks of blue nun and that Liebfraumilch stuff that tastes like minging lychees, on hold for when it becomes fashionable again, you can keep that heidseck dry monopole and chataeux neuf de pape rubbish !!!!

there is enough rain water in the air to claim that the SC is at least half water cooled

Don't trust the gauge. There not that good. If it doesn't boil & the heater works as you would expect leave well alone. Will be fitting a new pump & stat on mine soon. So it will run a lot warmer than it does now.