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Overheating - Check the car for any signs
of overheating. If there is consistent over flow from the expansion
tank or signs of evaporation on different parts of the radiator then it is a
good bet that the cooling system has deep problems.
(Deduct 30 points
for chronic over heating problems)
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Radiator
- Check for leaks around the seams - the radiator is aluminum and has plastic
end tanks. The end tanks can separate, crack or be damaged by stones
from the road. A tell tale sign is a white corrosion along any of the
seams.
(Deduct 4 points for a cracked end tank)
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Original
Stickers - Check for original stickers. There is generally three gold
anodized stickers on the top of the radiator. These are hard to come by
so can be valuable for restoration purposes. It is also an indication
that the car is close to original.
(Deduct 4 points for a cracked end tank)
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Radiator
Core Repair - The headlight motor is mounted in front of the
radiator. It is not uncommon for this bar to either fall off or during
repairs on the headlights to puncture the radiator. Look for repairs in
this area and since the radiator can be flipped 180 degrees check the same
area under the fan.
(Deduct 15 points for a bad core radiator)
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Custom Cooling Components - DEVEK makes a high
capacity all aluminum radiator that is a valuable addition to the
928. There are also a few companies that make conversion electric
cooling fans.
(Add
10 points for a DEVEK all aluminum radiator.)
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Water
Pump and Thermostat The water pump is hidden by the engine
covers so it is not possible to check for end play or even see any possible
leaks. However, the top part of the pump is visible just behind the fan
mount or the plate that holds the wiring harness on the 1987 and up.
When the pump is rebuilt it is generally bead blasted which gives this portion
of the engine a clean and distinctive look. Over time the top of the
pump will become dull and oxidized. The water pump should be changed
along with the timing belt every 30 to 40K miles or five years. Age like
the rest of the cooling system is critical.
(Deduct up to 15 points
for the age of the water pump prorated for over 10,000 miles and 2
years)
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Hoses
- Probably one of the biggest areas of failure are the cooling hoses.
The lower radiator hose should be secured to the radiator shroud by a tie
strip. On the pre 1985 this was critical as the lower hose can be cut by
the power steering pulley and fail. Look for scrape marks in this
area. The lack of a tie strip is a good indication of the care and
quality of mechanical work performed on the car. Check all hoses for
flexibility. There are several small hoses running from the top of the
radiator to the expansion tank and heater hoses on the rear of the engine that
are often over looked. Most of the hoses on the car including the
overflow hose for the top of the radiator to the expansion tank are formed
hoses that are available only from Porsche. Due to the close tolerances
in the engine compartment is difficult to substitute standard radiator hose
and not restrict water flow.
(Deduct 6 points if the all of the hoses have not
been replaced in the past three years. Deduct an additional 2 points if the
hoses are not all factory hoses. Deduct 1 point for each individual bad hose
up to 10 points)
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Fans
Pre 1987- The pre 1987 models had a viscous cooling fan that contains silicon
oil. Over time the silicon oil will leak out and the fan will not push
enough air to cool the engine. The fan can be refilled but there
is no approved way to test it. Check the fan by spinning it
by hand and looking for consistent resistance through the entire 360 degree
rotation. Also check the fan for play as the bearing can wear. If
a fan comes off at speed it can do considerable damage.
(Deduct 10 points for a bad fan or clutch)
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Fans
1987 and up In 1987 Porsche replaced the mechanical fan with dual electric fans. These
should come on when the car gets hot run for a few minutes and then shut
off. Fans that run all the time are indicative of bad sensors or at
worst a bad cooling system or even deeper engine trouble like a blown head
gasket or cracked block. The fans should spin freely with no vibration
or noise. (Deduct 10 points for each bad fan and 5
additional point if the
electric fans run all the time.)
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