Bob C.

I just bought a '93 RSA, and I notice that it runs quite cool. On the highway, with the engine speed at approximately 3,000 rpm, the oil temp needle sits directly between the 2nd and 3rd mark on the gauge (3rd mark being the one that is slightly below horizontal). Can anyone tell me what oil temperature this translates to? Do all 964s run this cool? Is there any reason at all to worry about this?

TIA

Bob C.
'93 RSA

Adrian

Dear Bob,
Once the oil cooler is open and the fan running these temperatures for autobahn running are quite normal,
Ciao,
Adrian
911C4

Randall G.

Hi Bob,

Here's a photo of the oil temp gauge, with corresponding temperatures (courtesy of Robin Sun):



The operating temperatures you describe sound quite normal for freeway driving.

As your engine warms up, you'll see the oil temperature go to just about the 194F mark, at which point the thermostat will open and oil will start flowing through the cooler in the right front fender. Oil temperature will drop, then either stay somewhere between the 122F & 194F marks, or increase back above the 194F mark. It depends on what type of driving you are doing.

If you are driving on the freeway, the temperature isn't likely to go back above the 194F mark after the thermostat opens. If you're stuck in traffic, the temperature will rise until the oil cooler fan (hopefully ) starts in slow-speed at around 212F. Under most circumstances, the fan will keep the engine cooler than 194F.

Inoperable oil cooler fans are a common 964/993 malady. Considering that just having flow through the cooler will keep the oil temperature well below the red zone (below the 248F mark), many 964/993 owners are unaware their oil cooler fan is OOS.

GeoC2cab

High,
How can u tell if ur oil cooler is operateing? Thanx..,

Kevin

Geo;
You have two options, When you know your temps are above 194, stand outside and you can here the fan run, or jumper the relay and you can here it run.

Randall G.

Hi Geo,

Adding to what Kevin has written ... if your right-front fender is getting (distinctly) warm, you know your thermostat is opening and directing oil to the cooler. You might also hear a gurgling sound from the right-front corner of the car while you're sitting in the cabin.

I have personally only heard of one failed thermostat--I imagine a 964/993 with a broken oil cooler thermostat will get awfully warm. It's the oil cooler fan that comes up lame so often.

slant911

How do you "jumper" the relay to hear it run? What points on the relay block do you jumper together to start the fan?

Thanks.

Randall G.

Hello,

You can find more information than you could possibly want on the oil cooler fan here:

Oil Cooler Fan Ops Summary

Included is how to jumper the oil cooler fan to test operation, how to force the fan to run continuously in fast speed, etc.

Good luck!