38927

Hey guys, I'm new to 944's and I just got my first one yesterday. Anyhoo, after buying the car, I ran into an issue with it overheating. And to my suprise the darn coolant tank was filled with 80% oil and a bit water. Now that I was able to drain out all the gunk. Im having a hard time removing the thermostat. It's really loose inside the housing but, just won't come out. Can anyone shed some light on this for me. I'd hate the have wasted my money and blow and head gasket, if it isnt already blown. Thanks in advance

James-

Granite 944

James,

Welcome to Rennlist!

This already sounds like the common oil cooler gasket failure. NOT that it couldn't be a blown head gasket, butt, something to look at first.

Use the "search" feature here, putting in.......oil in coolant, coolant in oil, thermostat, and whatever else you can think of. YOU"ll see and learn LOTS here.

Also make sure ya looked at the 944 FAQ section, know about Clark's Garage, and keep asking and searching. These cars are NOT that hard to overcome these kinda problems, and here, you'll get tons of help.

Welcome! and keep after it!

Vjgtrybno1

Was there lots of white smoke coming from the exhaust? If not, it's probably oil cooler seals - search the thread - replaced my oil cooler seals now what? - and you can get a ton of info on how to get its solved. Welcome to the 'list!

38927

Thanks for the post.
The head gasket isn't blow and there wasn't as much oil in the system as I thought but
it's pretty sludgy. What's the fix for the oil cooler problem? I'll check out the "facts" link.

I flushed the system and looks like the thermostat opens when it get's to temps but
It just keeps getting hotter and hotter.
Nobody else have this problem?

38927

How much do those bumpers go for like the one in your sig. but without those big foglight holders?
I have the bumper that sticks out 4 feet.

SoCal Driver

Fix your oil cool leak first. The oil in the coolent will solidify in your radiator and weaken your hoses. Then replace the timing and balance belts before it eats the valves.

TheCooler

This is why I enjoy my external cooler

JohanvdWalt

Welcome here, hope you get it fixed soon and cheap. Its always a nightmare if you have problems so soon.

Good luck you'll have lots of fun once its sorted.

38927

Thanks guys for all the info. Me and my buddy or is it my buddy and I, are going to replace those seals tomorrow. hopefully everything checks out after that and I can move on to the next stage. I managed to run the car with the A/C going (even tho it doesnt work) and that helped cooling the engine down a bit. BTW, does anyone have a N/A 944 that makes decent power. Cause my car is slow. I'm used to turbo 325's. And this is my first porsche project. I just couldnt afford a 951.

SoCal Driver

If you want a 944 that has decent power you should have bought a turbo.

Chris_924s

Welcome to Rennlist- and congrats on giving a 944 a new home!

Luis de Prat

Be sure to clean out the cooling system as best as you can before running the car. Depending on how long you've run the car with the oil sludge milkshake mix in the coolant, you may have contaminated the waterpump beyond repair. In my case, I ran the car for a few days with the sludge in it and even after cleaning out the system, the waterpump developed a nasty whine shortly afterwards.

When the pump came out, you could tell the sludge had caused the damage. YMMV.

Vjgtrybno1

When you remove the coolant tank to clean it - you can use pretty much any degreaser, but I used Shout or spray-n-wash since they do not foam up. When you replace the tank, you can run it for a few days with water and spray-n-wash - maybe a half cup or less - in the ystem to get the remaining oil sludge into suspension. Then flush her out - maybe repeat with the soap until you have it mostly out. You'll have a little left to cook out over the next 1000 miles or so, so don't despair if you seee a little lurking in the tank.

38927

Thanks again gents. You all have been very helpful!