Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Hi all

Looking for some advice, I am in the process of getting my 944S back on the road, it's going for sills in February, It has been outside for nearly two years (with cover) and not been started for over 6 months,
Battery in place, engine turned over and low and behold it started, tappets were noisy so I let it tick over for a while whilst I checked other parts, I then noticed steam from the front and in a moment of madness I found myself opening the header tank cap, to late, very hot water everywhere, I stopped the engine immediately, went and purchased Comma G48 antifreeze (and let the engine cool down), I was keen to get antifreeze in to the system before it got dark and the temperature dropped, with the cap off steadily filled the tank (took just over 5Ltr), cap back on engine temp rising steady but when it reached the point where I would expect the fan to kick in, it didn't, there are no leaks in the system so not loosing water and the cause of the steam was (I presume) snow which had come off the bonnet and was melting on the radiator, ( the radiator was very hot) but that doesn't explain why the fan didn't kick in, also is it possible I have a thermostat problem, I know I have to bleed the system, and would appreciate advice on that, but iI hope I have put enough antifreeze in the system to stop any problems with freezing.
I was moving the car in to my garage to prepare for the sills being done, but both back brakes are seized, so for the time being it has to stay outside, all advice would be appreciated, and yes I know I have been a twat !

Hi Dave, if the radiator is hot then I wouldn't necessarily suspect the thermostat as that has opened to let the hot water through into the rad. However, on the rad itself there is a temperature switch that operates the fan, this is a part that can (and does) fail. You will find it on the RH side (looking from the front), just down from the top of the rad, there will be a two-wire connector. Check this connection, it can get pretty cruddy down there. Also, check that the fan does actually rotate (BE CAREFUL), as it might have stuck due to lack of use. Also, check the fuses and relay (G10?). If everything looks fine, then if you short out the temperature switch wires, the fan should start. If not, you may have an electrical issue.

Hope that helps a bit...(always keep hands away from fan, it is powerful and can start without warning!)

Hi Rhett

Thanks for the info, I checked the fan and it turns OK, I didn't check the relay but will do and the radiator temp switch, what I did notice was the heater in the cab was blowing cold air hence my thoughts on the thermostat, my main concern, as I mentioned before was getting antifreeze into the system before it got cold tonight, (actually snowing as I type), will let you know how I get on.

Spot on Rhett

Checked switch on the radiator, all ok, checked fuse, it had blown, replaced it and it blew again, ( I think I need to do the lottery ) I recognised the relay as I had removed a dash from a 944S2 as mine has the usual cracks, inside the glove box was a relay in a box, guess what relay, you guessed it, the fan relay, changed it and all is well, heaters work but only hot at the moment, will look at that problem when I change the dash, unless anyone has the answer to that problem, again thank you.

Dave S

Glad you got it sorted Dave, happy to help!

If your heater is only providing hot air, then the chances are that a small plastic clip on the end of one of the heater control rods has broken and fallen off. The heater defaults to hot rather than cold...good idea! Anyway, you will probably find lots of info about this fault on this forum as well as Pelican in the US. The main culprit is on the passenger side of the heater and is situated between the heater and the glove compartment moulding. You can see it if you look up in that area. However, it is easy to remove the glove comp moulding (that is the actual compartment) and then it is easy to see and replace. Here is a link to another thread..there are others:

http://www.tipec.net/_forums/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=16298

Alternatively, the vacuum pipework could be a problem, or the control valve. On the S this is situated on the exhaust side of the engine just below the power steering reservoir, it is vacuum driven.

Hope that helps..

Thanks again Rhett

What I am thinking, given your advice, is would it be better to change any typical parts that fail whilst I have the dash removed, is there any other parts that fail in the heater area that are hard to reach which would be easier to access, in the meantime I will check the clip and vacuum system.

Dave S

Hi Dave -

I am not sure that you have the dashboard removed? If you do, I would suggest checking the speedo spindle cog. This item is poorly made but easily replaceable.

Dave
CT

Hi Dave

Dash not out yet, won't be until I get the car back from the body shop in February, I had intended to remove the dash after that and look at the dash lights with a view to trying to make them better as they seem a bit dim, and if there were and maintenance (mods) I could do with the dash removed, that was my aim.

Hi Dave, there is not really a lot of 'stuff' behind the dash that might need preventative maintenance or replacement. The clips for the heater rods for sure, otherwise just give everything a really good inspection. Tidy up the wiring and check for any cracks, fraying, etc. To remove the dash you will have to remove the windscreen post covers. Behind those are the drain pipes for the sunroof. Check these are in good condition and not leaky. You could do a 'blanket change' of all the small dash bulbs while you are in there too. There was a recent post showing how to re-silver the instrument cluster light pipes, that would be worth doing.

Keep up the good work!

When I said dashboard, I meant the dial cluster...!

Dave - the other one
CT