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Drove it. 1st time in a couple of weeks. Chilly but sunny day.
It started right up and everything (including the top) worked just fine. Drove it for 1/2 the drive w/the top up; 1st time driving w/the top up since I bought it a year ago. It was ok but visibiliy is limited and plastic rear window is blurry; would replace it if I needed to drive it top up but I don't.
Took it for a 70 mile RT driven to my "local" Total Wine & More store to buy some scotch/bourbon which I've been collecting and tasting recently. Waited til I got home to try some.
I spent the better part of two days under the car changing the oil, flushing the coolant, replacing the water pump & thermostat and refilling the coolant with the Porsche pink stuff. I used Ahsai’s great method for purging the old coolant. I was too cheap to buy the U-View Airlift so I bought the less expensive model from Ares. Oh, I also replaced the belt. Some highlights/lowlights:
Even following Ahsai’s instructions I was only able to purge 5.5 gallons out of the system
I misread his instructions about purging the heater core. I applied the air pressure at the expansion tank instead of the hose. Once I figured that out, I was able to get an additional quart out
There are 7 bolts on the water pump. I was able to remove 8. Sadly #8 was in a difficult position so getting it back in was no fun either
Not sure I would have been able to get the pump out without removing the thermostat housing
The new pump went on a lot easier that I thought it would. Same for that top right bolt on the thermostat housing
I had to make a trip to Lowes to buy a 1/4” deep 10 MM socket. I think I now own every type of 10 MM socket known to man
I had to make another trip to Lowes to find a pipe that would help me install the thermostat in the housing. I have puny thumbs
The old pump was in perfect condition. No noises, wobbles or busted impellers. I feel robbed
I found out that if you have a swivel socket wrench connected to a swivel extension, you can twist the wrench to turn the socket. Too bad I found this out on one of the last bolts
The Ares coolant fill tool has an air outlet that sprays a fine mist of coolant out while you’re filling. I need to write them to see if I was using it wrong or if it just sucks
I had a hard time keeping the hose under the fill level so I know I sucked a little air into the system. I’ve already added an additional quart of coolant after the first shakedown drive
I’m still trying to figure out where to take the old coolant. Pep Boys won’t take it and I’m having a hard time getting ahold of Waste Management
No leaks from anything after I was done. It’s a Christmas miracle!
Obligatory picture:
Last edited by ssherman68; 12-29-2020 at 11:35 PM.
I had the chance to remove my bumper cover and clean the radiators. Whilst there I also swapped the fasteners to stainless steel for better longevity.
I bought the fasteners from https://boltbase.com/ but actually via amazon as it was easier to order!
Replacing - part number 999.073.061.02 for the 4.8 x 16 in stainless - part number 999.073.198.09 (superseded by 999.073.227.09) for 4.8 x 19 in stainless
Here is the how-to DIY if you want to do the same:
Most larger private shops have antifreeze recycle barrels.
sounds like u had a lot of fun. Keep checking the coolant level, even with the airlift i have had to add after a few drive cycles.
Thanks for the tip. I'll have to see if I can find any private shops. Seems like everything around here is corporate. The level dropped quite a bit on my first 20 mile drive. I did a 50 mile drive yesterday and no change in the level from that one. I had to replace my expansion tank a few months ago so keeping an eye on the coolant has become a hobby.
Thanks for the tip. I'll have to see if I can find any private shops. Seems like everything around here is corporate. The level dropped quite a bit on my first 20 mile drive. I did a 50 mile drive yesterday and no change in the level from that one. I had to replace my expansion tank a few months ago so keeping an eye on the coolant has become a hobby.
I found a Jiffy Lube that took my used motor oil, anti freeze, brake fluid, power steering fluid. I would just call around and ask
We rarely get much snow in DC but I ended up getting an all weather car cover for these situations. Worked great once already with our puny 1" snow fall hah
I took mine out this afternoon while there was no salt on the road or precipitation to deal with to look at a couple of jobs. Some flat spotting of the tires but that went away and made for a nice afternoon and conversation with customers.
About as much fun as pulling your own fingernails off....behind your back....with only a pair of pipe pliers
I just got things put back together today, after a month spent doing the following. And my hands look like I lost a fight with a cat. How can there be so many sharp edges back in there?!
6 new fuel injectors (preventative)
Ultimate AOS install (preventative)
New AOS vent crossover tube (broke the old one)
All new vacuum lines (broke one, so preventative all around)
New Porsche Sport Exhaust vacuum vines (preventative)
New 12V cables to the Starter and Alternator (terminal at starter was melting and car was hard to start when hot)
Starter motor rebuild (while I'm in there..., and I've never rebuilt a starter, so why not?)
New alternator (997 150A version)
New engine mounts (old were shot)
New oil filler tube (old was leaking at the seal to the engine)
New upper and tensioner idler pulleys (tensioner had a rattle, and the upper pulley bearing was strangely rusty)
Also scrubbed and cleaned the oil residue from all of the intake parts/manifolds. (because now it's shiny!)
It's quite satisfying; no leftover parts or anything! Now I just need warm weather to test it out!
12-29-2020, 12:41 PM
