928 at last

High idle - Check for a vacuum leak........

928 at last

No such thing as a stupid question.....unless it's the third time you've asked the same one......

Five-8

Likely lots of possibilities here, guess i'll just start knocking them down one at a time.
I guess Rob's suggestion of getting an accurate set of temps with an IR Gun makes the most sense to begin with, and then start pulling apart and cleaning and moving onwards from there, as is necessary.

Thanks you guys for giving me a starting point and a preliminary stratetgy.

Cheers,

Maleficio

A good vacuum line to check (if automatic) is the flexible coupling hose on the passenger side just aft of the engine, the line that dampens the shifting. That coupler rots and falls off.

F451

Not to be an alarmist, but my S4 temp gauge started reading slightly higher then normal (like just barely noticeable) just before it started knocking from the water pump area. It happened just as I was cruising home on my street. It happened a while ago and I still haven't gotten to taking off the water pump to confirm what I suspect is a loose impeller, but I should be getting to it in the next few weeks.

928 at last

Once the actual temp can be determined, then if it's running hotter than the thermostat stamp suggests, I'm in for an alarm....
Might be that the pump is the issue, but without knowing what the temp really is....

In your case, I'd suggest checking the temp after a new pump is installed......