[Bellis]

Hello Forum, admired the 968 for many years from pictures of for sale postings. Finally pulled the trigger on a red manual 94 Cab with 101k miles. Good condition but did not come with records of anything as far as timing belt change. Drove it from Portland to Boise (600 miles) yesterday, did great except for it tends to run hot. Close to top line until I pulled over a few times and let it cool down. Looking forward to this forum!

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[94SilverCab]

Welcome,

 

Enjoy the site

 

Jay

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[Rap]

Welcome. Enjoy your ride!

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[az968]

Welcome. Sounds like a few maintenance items to adres, like the timing/balace belts, maybe a thermostat. Check to make sure the radiator fans are running properly. Lots of great advice on this site.

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[shawnebrown]

Congrats.. Sounds like we are both in similiar situations. Look forward to gathering information to help educate me.

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[MCL968]

One of the suggested upgrades on here is a lower temp thermostat and lower temp (VW Vanagon) fan switch. Also, look at the directions for bleeding the air out of the cooling system, an air bubble at the top of the head can cause all sorts of cooling problems. After 100K the head gasket also starts to become suspect. At 110K I had the gasket replaced and the Variocam pads and chain replaced as well. The pads were in OK shape (the PO ran the right oil) but the gasket was really showing signs of age.

 

There is a lot to learn about the eccentricities of these cars, but the payback is they are a blast to drive. You may want to start a list and try to do as much as possible in a single trip to the mechanic. Belts and rollers are a given, but while in there the water pump is pretty easy to change, and the thermostat lives in the pump, so that's a simple fix at the same time.

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[MLB]

Consider a plugged rad a strong possibility also. Ask me how i know ;0)

Use IR therm gun to read temps at hoses.

Search forum for expected results and others observations


Welcome to the forum

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[Waylander]

Welcome

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[J.Elenbaas]

Welcome,

 

Changing the timingbelt is crucial, as breaking can destroy your engine in a split second.

Cooling issue can have various problems, but should not be to dificult to solve.

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[PVC12]

Congrats on the 968 find!

My advice (found out the hard way) If you change the thermostat make sure you go with OEM. As the thermostat opens it needs to close a seal on the backside. Many thermostats that are listed to fit will not have a strong enough coil to close the back seal as the thermostat is opened, resulting in the engine running hot from inadequate coolant circulation through the radiator.

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[94SilverCab]

If you need to do the belts I would go ahead and change the Water Pump, you're already there...

 

JMO,

 

Jay

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[Ryan]

Welcome to the fold.

 

Since you were at highway speed on your trip I would possibly rule out the fans or thermo switch. I second MLB with the read of temps at the top and bottom rad hoses. Could be something as simple as needing air bled out of the system though. With no records the belts are a must change. 

 

Have fun with your new purchase..........

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