jamiejim

I have a 1984 944 NA. Under normal driving conditions, the temperature gauge usually registers at about the highest of the 3 marks within the "normal" range, in other words one mark above the mid point. It has never gone into the yellow "hot" range.

My question is whether this is where I should expect the temperature to register? Do these cars usually run slightly above mid-point due to aluminum engines, etc? Everything seems to be operating ok, coolant level is fine, no sign of any leaks.

I am getting ready to drive across the desert to the Porsche swap meet in Ventura, CA and will have a bra on (the car and my wife, not me ) and I know that will cause it to run slightly warmer. Just want to be sure that it is within the normal range now. Thanks.

pearldrum944

The operating temps between different 944s really varies between the cars. When I am moving my car is usually at the middle mark. If I am sitting at a light or in traffic it will run at the 3rd or just a hair above. On the cruise at 944fest I hit yellow at one point...I was doing some hard driving though. While some other people at the fest never even hit the middle mark. Traveling long distances for me on the highway has not been bad at all. The temp stays right at middle.

josephsc

I swear my car's temp depends on the day of the week -- seems very temperamental, but usually between the 2nd and 3rd mark and occasionally toys with the 3rd mark. Mondays seem the worst. It also depends on outside temp and humidity. I recently did a Vegas run (desert heat, ~100mph constant velocity, with A/C on) and the engine was running hotter than normal, of course. Basically playing chicken with the red level. Hot enough that the A/C would periodically cut out to reduce temp.

Good luck with your trip!

pearldrum944

Which car was this in? I don't think the A/C can cut out in early cars...

UDPride

My cars needle is perfectly level when driving, and a tad higher in traffic. it will reach the third hash in stop and go stuff but then the thermostat pops and it will go down.

Its interesting in that it takes all of about 3 minutes for the car to heat up to operating temps. I mean its like cooking on a 50,000btu grille. I dont even need to turn the fan on in the winter to get enough heat in the cabin. Ambient ram-air heat is enough even when its 10 degrees out. The 930 on the other hand is like trying to heat dry ice. I drove it for TWENTY FIVE MINUTES nonstop and it had still not reached normal operating temp (a level needle).

pearldrum944

3 minutes? My car usually takes 10-15.

silverBean

Mine usualy stays right at the first unless i am caught in traffic. It has never gone above the middleline for me and just over the weekend i took my car upto show low and back.

theedge

Im lacking a thermostat ATM, with one in my car took only about 3 minutes to be into the normal range... With the bad stats I had, it would be another few minutes and shed be at the top white line

Now with no thermostat... I guess around 10.

hosrom_951

The needle should read just between both second and third white marks (~90)



At least that is the way it is in my 86 951....

pearldrum944

For a minute I was REALLY confused, then I realised: Celsius.

hosrom_951

sorry should been clear on the Celsius issue

hosrom_951

If you do not have a t-stat, it should take longer for the engine to warm up since water is going into the cold engine.

The t-stat should stay 'closed' and heat up the engine and then 'opens' and lets water into the engine to cool it.

No t-stat means water, in a cold engine, thus longer to warm up........right?

Tony K

On the 83 that I had for almost 6 years, normal freeway driving would give a temperature no higher than the middle. In cool weather and winter, it would be below. If it were consistently running half-way between the middle and upper mark, I'd replace the thermostat.

In traffic (or a fast food drive-thru), it would heat up to the third mark, the fans would kick on, and take it down to below the middle mark before shutting off.

I believe the stock temperature thermostat is 83 degrees, but not sure. Anyone can verify?

The temperature of thermostat you have will pretty much decide where the needle will be at normal operating temperature.

Cheers,