Puppy

Hi everyone, I just bought an 88 S4 and am new to the forum.

Car drove home just fine after I bought it (200 miles) and for the past week it has driven like a dream.

A few days ago the temperature gauge went into the red and the coolant light came on, so I pulled over and checked out everything. No problems at all. A few miles down the road repeat. This happened two more times and I thought it was the thermometer acting up. A half mile from my driveway I see steam. As soon as I pulled in I turned off the ignition. Now the car will not start. It tries to turn over and everything seems to be in working order. Is there a safety cutoff or something? Thanks in advanced for the help. (also I am fairly capable of most repairs)

Mongo

Welcome to Rennlist!

The typical overheat symptoms are usually related to the following:

- Failing or Missing Thermostat
- Clogged Radiator
- Impellor Failure on Water Pump

Unfortunately if the car is not starting, this may be because of head gasket failure and the contamination of the cylinders with coolant. There are many intelligent minds on here that can help you track down the problem to correct it. Sorry to hear about your experience and best of luck to you!

Ducman82

how does the oil look? coolant tank full?

Puppy

Oil looks perfect and the coolant tank was half full after the overheat and I refilled it.

Imo000

When you got home, where did the steal come from?

WallyP

"Now the car will not start. It tries to turn over and everything seems to be in working order."

Need more detail, and MUCH more specific detail.

"Tries to turn over."
Does this mean that the starter is slow in spinning the engine? Or do you mean that the engine spins at normal cranking speed, and tries to run? Occasional firing while spinning? Fires, but won't pick up speed?

Does the oil look normal? No white gunk in the filler cap?

Any traces of oil in the coolant tank?

Any odd smoke or vapor from the exhaust? Any sweet smell from the exhaust?

Any odd noises from the front of the engine?

Remove the plastic intake tubes, and use a light to look down in the openings in the top of the belt covers while someone spins the engine. Does the belt move smoothly? Does it look perfect as it turns?

Driving a half-mile after you saw steam might not have been your best choice.

More detail means that you will get more help...

Puppy

The steam came out from the air intake.

No, I know driving wasn't the best choice, but there isn't anywhere to pull off (no driveways or shoulders). No odd smells or smoke. As for turning over, it the engines spins normal and tries to run it just won't make that last little bit to actually start. Not any odd noises either, and all the belts and fans turn as normal...that's why I don't know what is wrong. My Boxster did the same thing a year ago and it turned out that it was the ecu not letting the car start, I'm not sure how advanced the 928's systems are however. As for the cooling system, everything is still working as normal too.

Speedtoys

Do you even see a belt?

Puppy

How many belts should there be in total?
I count 4...

Speedtoys

With regard to:
Remove the plastic intake tubes, and use a light to look down in the openings in the top of the belt covers while someone spins the engine. Does the belt move smoothly? Does it look perfect as it turns?"

One

Puppy

My apologies, didn't realize which belts we were refering to...one of those days. Anyway, no its not turning at all.

123

I suspect you may not yet realize how much this may very well end up being "one of those days" if that belt's not turning with the engine. Do NOT crank the engine anymore until you've gotten some of the information that I'm sure some people here will give you soon. Good luck. You may very well need it.

Puppy

Yeah, believe me i'm not even going to put the key anywhere near the car now that I know that it isn't turning (never even thought to check it)....still a million times easier than working on a Boxster no matter what the problem is, so my day can't be that bad. Always look on the bright side I guess.

mickster

Okay where in TN. There are some very good wrenches in TN and surrounding states.

Give us more details of the car including VIN; any service history? Mileage?

Timing belt and water pump service?

If you wrench, you're going to need a hand. If you don't, you're going to need a mechanic who knows 928's.

jeff spahn

Man. You are going to learn fast and hard on this one. I am going to throw out there a failed water pump which caused the belt to shear and now you are looking at a valve job. On the BRIGHT SIDE, you are going to learn a whole lot about your engine very soon. If it is a valve job, pull then engine and do all the other deferred maintenance that this car needs like FUEL LINES before it burns to the ground after your head gasket /valve job is all done. PUT IN A PORKENSIONER!! Check your crank gear, cam gears for wear and replace if necessary. Be prepared to crap your pants at the cost of the gears. Check your cam timing chain tensioner pads and replace if worn. You'll have the heads off, easy time to do that.

Oh, and do a complete intake refresh while you are at it.

And since the engine is out anyway , replace the motor mounts, oil pan gasket it easy with engine out, coolant reservoir, washer tank filler neck, washer tank steel insert removal, power steering hoses, coolant hoses, heater valve, clean all the grounds.

What else did I forget guys? This is all the stuff I did when my head gaskets failed.