924Board.org

nguyenaq · Joined: 19 Apr 2004 Posts: 65

I want my car to run cooler. id like to see the fans to come on sooner when the engine is hot.

what are all the parts i need to replace to have my fans kick in at a lower engine temp?
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924RACR · Posted: Sat May 08, 2004 5:35 am Post subject:

Seems to me what you want is a lower-temp radiator switch.

However, though there are a few listed, I wouldn't guarantee that they will interchange, or that any one has a lower switching point:
http://www.924.org/parts/parts.htm
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IanJ · Posted: Sat May 08, 2004 5:38 am Post subject:

My car has an overide switch on the console, so i can just switch them on when the need arises.

I don't know how it was wired in as it was done by a PO.

Ian
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gohim · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 4459 Location: Rialto, CA

You can replace the thermostat with a lower temperature unit that starts opening at a lower temperature.

You could replace the cooling fan temperature switch with one that will switch on at a lower termperature.

Or you could replace both the thermostat and cooling fan switch.

Performance Products shows cooling fan switch that they say activates 25 degrees sooner (part number #924491, $16.95), you should also replace the o-ring seal (part number #944215, $2.95).

Performance Products also shows a lower temperature opening thermostat (part number #944144, $17.95), and the seal (part number #944216, $.95).

Because of the cost of shipping, I would probably order both if I were you. Then, you can install the thermostat, and see if the temperature comes down to where you want it, and install the cooling fan switch if you want to go lower. I would install the thermostat first because running the cooling fans does not do any good, if the coolant is not circulating because the thermostat has not opened yet.

Website "www.performanceproducts.com". They run 20% or 25% off sales all the time so it would probably pay you to call and ask whether they are running a sale, or when the next sale is (1-800-423-3173), and ask for a catalog.

-nick · Joined: 16 Nov 2002 Posts: 2699 Location: Cambridge, MA

Here's a secrete- Performance Products sucks! I only use them as a last resort. Even with their "sales" their prices are still way above anyone else, that isn't even to mention their shipping costs that they gouge you on too.

The stock fan switch kicks the fans on at 92* and shuts them off at 87* (pn 823 959 481 F). The next cooler switch uses 82*-77* (pn 823 959 481 D). You can get the cooler switch at thepartsbin.com for a whopping $11. -It comes with the needed o-ring. Paragon-products also has it as well as the thermostat.

The stock thermostat opens up at 87*. You could just put in the lower fan switch and as soon as the thermostat opens the fans will kick in. So you'll basically run 5* cooler. It's easy to change this out, replacing the thermostat can be a little messy. FYI, I'm just running the lower switch and my temps never reach the 3/4 line.

The cooler thermostat opens up at 82*. So using this in conjunction with the lower fan switch should make you run 10* cooler.

-nick

AppleBit · Joined: 16 Nov 2002 Posts: 1516 Location: Minneapolis, MN

Replace your two fans with one aftermarket cooling fan for $69 at your local auto parts store. Watch the cooling began...
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gohim · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 4459 Location: Rialto, CA

nick,

I don't know if you realize it, but nguyenaq has a 924S.

The 924S uses a different thermostat from the 924. A quick jump over to the thepartsbin.com shows only one part number for the thermostat, with no temperature rating listed at $17.07.

The thermostat on a 944/924S engine is buried inside of the radiator hose connection, and secured by a retaining ring, which is always a pain in the rear to remove, because of it's location, and doubly so if it corrodes.

You're right about the price of the 87C degree cooling fan switch from thepartsbin, it shows at $11.XX.

But there are major differences between the 924S and 924 engines. When the 924 was sent to the US the cooling fan and thermostat temps choosen were too high. The thermostat and cooling fan switch are easy to reach on a 924, and experimenting is easy. On a 924S the thermostat is much harder to change. The 924S engine is designed to run at the higher temp, and it is harder to regulate it downward.

If you just change the fan switch, what difference is it going to make? Since the thermostat is not open, running the cooling fans is not going to cool much except for the coolant already in the radiator. That's why you need to change the thermostat first. It is much easier to avoid heat build-up than it is to get rid of the heat later. Changing the thermostat allows the cooling system to start removing heat earlier, helping to avoid heat build up.

I agree that Performance Products prices are higher than some other aftermarket suppliers at times. I suspect that this is a marketing ploy to encourage customers to get the "performance products" credit card, since people with the card get an automatic discount, on top of any sale prices. The catalog prices are also jacked up to cover sale prices. If you are saying that you have had problems when you have ordered in the past, you are not the first person who has written that. I started buying from Performance Products many years ago, before they branched out into parts for SUVs and rice rockets. Since they have the quality of their customer service, and the expertise of the people that they have answering the phones has dropped tremendously.

What most people do not know is that Performance Products is one of the few aftermarket suppliers that Porsche allows to order and buy directly from the PCNA Warehouse. Much of the stuff that you see in their catalog actually is actually Genuine Porsche Parts that include the 2-year Porsche PCNA warranty on it. This is not advertised, and is probably another reason that some of their products may be slightly higher priced than other aftermarket companies' products.

I buy lots of stuff from Performance Products when I see their space at the Pomona Swapmeet. All the mistakes that people make when ordering stuff, and the stuff that they return ends up there, along with discontinued stuff at dirt cheap prices. I also see some of the stuff that they purchase while developing or evaluating aftermarket products that they are considering selling. I can tell you that a lot of stuff manufacturers try to get them to sell is pure junk. I can usually buy the "second quality" stuff (basically all the stuff that ends up at the swapmeet for twenty to thirty cents on the dollar, so when I see 924 or 944 stuff, I usually buy everything that is not outright scrap.

As many people have noticed, the quality of customer service received may also be dependent on the distance that the customer is from the Seller. The closer you are, the better the service.

numbbers · Posted: Sat May 08, 2004 10:06 am Post subject:

Well guys, if you need a fan switch for a standard 924/931, I suggest EuroWeb. I just bought one for $8.50. I like EuroWeb, because there parts always arrive within two days, using standard ground shipping. That is because they ship from local warehouses.

http://www.eurowebparts.com/
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Richard · Joined: 04 Nov 2002 Posts: 617 Location: Pacific N.W.

There is also a product from Redline called "Water Wetter". It goes in the radiator and is supposed to lower the water temps 20 degrees. I have never used it so I only mention it for informational purposes.

gohim · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 4459 Location: Rialto, CA

Water Wetter works, I tried it in three of my cars, and you can see the difference on the coolant temperature gauge.

Pep Boys sells it in their stores a little cheaper than any of the mailorder places.

EuroWeb is a pretty good Supplier as well. I got my first order from them last week. I bought some stuff from them off eBay for the VW Jetta I bought in back in March. Got the stuff for half of what they sell the same items for on their Website. Paid them on a Sunday, and the stuff arrived here in CA, on Thursday.

dgz924s · Joined: 03 Nov 2002 Posts: 592 Location: Kansas

ummmmmm 924S....I would say from experience you will need to change your oil cooler seals and a good flush out. I would not mess with the thermostat if it works and the temp sender only kicks the fan on earlier but doesn't "cure" why you are running hotter! Cure the reason for more temp first. I had this same deal and finally fixed it by replacing the cooler elements and a good flushing/bleeding.
Water Wetter really works! I use it now and my track temps hover around the half bar or little above that after the suggested work was done.
Also when messing with coolant be sure to keep the coolant off any belts as the the rubber is prone to break down after the coolant has a chance to "eat away" at the rubber. Dal

speedsta2003 · Joined: 12 Nov 2002 Posts: 302 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska

Ive read all of your posts, and some are good ideas some are not so good. Water wetter is definitely a good idea, but yes, the 924S is a pain with the oil cooler gaskets. Unless you have some extra cash, like 300$ to dish out for parts and labor, or 80$ for the gaskets and all the tools, go for it. But IMO the best thing would be to add some waterwetter, and buy a relay at radioshack and run a seperate switch inside your car to turn the fan on and off. The stock 924S temp gauge is some what accurate, and you can go off of that. You want to keep your pointer on the gauge infront of the middle mark. You may think this would be a pain, but it will not be too cool in the summer to have your fan almost always running.
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dgz924s · Joined: 03 Nov 2002 Posts: 592 Location: Kansas

speedsta2003 · Joined: 12 Nov 2002 Posts: 302 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska

dgz924s · Joined: 03 Nov 2002 Posts: 592 Location: Kansas

Picked up the kit at AutohausAZ in PHX. Might be a bit higher since I bought mine. And yes and no on the tool. I have one but never needed it you just have to be careful and not try to torque on it hard. Tool last forever and costs less than 25 bucks. Or borrow one from a member,etc. Never needed the crowfoot either as long as the wrench is an open end and thinner. Have to have a wrench that is thinner than Craftsman as a reference. Dal