zogster

Hi all,

I'm about to replace my thermofan switch (I've been experiencing the fans-on-all-the-time problem) on my '87 951, and I'm wondering if I might be able to do it without draining the cooling system. Anyone tried it? I'm thinking that if I'm quick enough on the last twist out and then getting the new one in place, I'll only lose a splash of coolant.

If it wasn't so damn cold I probably wouldn't try, but it's hovering around the freezing mark right now, and lying on my back in the street, getting doused in either near-freezing or near-boiling water doesn't seem very appealing.

sweetskillsrk

When I replaced my thermo switch about 3 years ago I didn't drain the system. And a "splash" isn't accurate, you're gonna lose more than you think. I would be extremely careful and wary about being "quick enough" too. If you do it wrong you could strip the threads of the radiator and then you're really screwed. Also, if you over tighten those switches you can crack the radiator, I've done it before and it sucks! You can do it without draining the system but its just not worth it in my opinion man. Grab a drain pan, open up the bottom drain plug, and let it drain for a few minutes. You don't have to drain all the coolant just enough so it won't come running out when you loosen the switch. May be a good idea too, to throw some teflon tape on the threads of the switch, I've done it and it helps with creating a good seal. Anyway, hope that helps. Good luck man.

zogster

Thanks dude - I'll listen to the voice of experience and just break out the thermal underwear!

Mike C.

Yea it will be more than a splash. I would just partially drain myself.

gtroth

Until spring, you could just pull the fuses or the fan relay every time you stop ;-)

Mark944na86

+1

nzporsche944s2

If you warm the engine slightly before you do it then it won't be so cold lying underneath and getting splashed won't be too bad either. Not too warm though - just toasty

zogster

@gtroth

I've been doing that for a few weeks now! I figured I'd better fix the thing properly before the law of probability catches up with me and I leave it behind at a supermarket checkout...