924Board.org

[thirdgenbird]

I did the first oil change on my newly purchased 924s this last weekend and all seemed to go pretty well. later that day I checked the coolant level and noticed I had a tan colored slime in the reserve tank.

here is what I know so far
-I did not see coolant in the oil when I drained it

-after about 50+ miles of driving my oil level does not seem to have dropped

-the oil pressure runs normal at startup, idle, and while driving

-the temp seems in the normal range

-I took the bleeder plug off the top of the motor and squeezed the top radiator hose and the coolant that ran out was bright green and looked very fresh

please help!!
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17in caymans, koni yellow coilovers, hypercoil springs, kla solid upper mounts, 968 sway bars, kla drop links, kla strut brace, fidanza flywheel, dansk catback, wilwood front calipers, ss brake lines, e-codes, 944 duckbill, manual rack,momo steering wheel

[Rasta Monsta]

Head gasket or oil cooler console. Better stop driving it in case there is also coolant in the oil.
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Toofah King Bad

• WeiBe (1987 924S 2.5t) - 931 S3

[thirdgenbird]

Can I bother you for more information… is there any way to verify these issues and what is involved in correcting them…
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17in caymans, koni yellow coilovers, hypercoil springs, kla solid upper mounts, 968 sway bars, kla drop links, kla strut brace, fidanza flywheel, dansk catback, wilwood front calipers, ss brake lines, e-codes, 944 duckbill, manual rack,momo steering wheel

[Rasta Monsta]

Head gasket removal, installation and torque sequence HERE.

Oil cooler seal replacement HERE.

How does your oil look? Do you have the service history of the car? 87s have head gasket problems for some reason.

Hate to tell you this, but both of the above procedures require expensive tools and an appreciable amount of expertise.
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Toofah King Bad

• WeiBe (1987 924S 2.5t) - 931 S3

[thirdgenbird]

I have no service history...

The oil in the car now seems fine, and the oil I drained is in a plastic jug and nothing has separated.

I am really starting to regret this purchase. I paid more than I wanted to because I thought I was getting a mint low mileage car…

So far I discovered the headlights won’t pop up, the targa top won’t latch, the blower motor quit, and now this…
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17in caymans, koni yellow coilovers, hypercoil springs, kla solid upper mounts, 968 sway bars, kla drop links, kla strut brace, fidanza flywheel, dansk catback, wilwood front calipers, ss brake lines, e-codes, 944 duckbill, manual rack,momo steering wheel

[Rasta Monsta]

Well, if the oil just showed up, it sounds like somebody might have dogged you, changing the coolant to hide the problem.

Then again, it could be a coincidence, I suppose.
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Toofah King Bad

• WeiBe (1987 924S 2.5t) - 931 S3

[thirdgenbird]

I don’t even know anymore.

Is there any explanation for the coolant in the motor being clean?

Or how it can hold normal oil pressure?

Would it be stupid to drive it 50 miles to the dealer??
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17in caymans, koni yellow coilovers, hypercoil springs, kla solid upper mounts, 968 sway bars, kla drop links, kla strut brace, fidanza flywheel, dansk catback, wilwood front calipers, ss brake lines, e-codes, 944 duckbill, manual rack,momo steering wheel

[Paul]

When the oil seals begin to leak in the oil cooler, they do it slowly at first. At first, this only allows oil to squirt into the coolant not vice versus. Let it go long enough, it will allow coolant into the oil and there goes your bearings.....
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White 87 924S "Ghost"
Silver 98 986 3.6l 320 HP "Frank N Stein"
White 01 986 "Christine"
Polar Silver 02 996TT. "Turbo"
Owned and repaired 924s since 1977
Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.

[gohim]

You should have done some research on these cars before you bought one.

That being said, the damage is already done, and you own the car.

These cars are expensive to own. Their are service procedures that must be done like clockwork to ensure that they engine is able to reach it's maximum service life without incident.

The 87 924S engine seems to have a problem with it's original headgasket. Virtually everyone that I have seen has suffered a blown headgasket somewhere around 100K miles (between 90-110K miles).

You didn't mention how many miles are on your low mileage 924S.

The Porsche 2.5L engine used in the 944/924S has an oil to coolant oil cooler. The oil cooler seals go bad, and when they do, coolant leaks into the lubrication system, and when not causht immediately the engine bearings are ruined, required a complete teardown to replace them. If you ever notice coolant in the engine oil, and/or the engine oil level rising, then the oil cooler seals are shot, and you need to stop driving the car immediately until the cooler seals are replaced (and the engine bearings inspected if the engine is run for long).

When the head gasket goes, you will notice fluffy oil scum in your coolant tank. You will probably also notice engine overheating. This is a sign that the headgasket has blown, and needs immediate replacement. When the headgasket has blown, as part of the replacement process, you are supposed to flush the cooling system to remove any residual oil, and replace the coolant tank. Many people don't do this, so some additional oil may apear in the coolant tank after the headgasket has been replaced, even if the repair has been successful.

The engine must be serviced on a regular basis to help prevent the timing and balance shaft belts from breaking which results in numerous broken valves and expensive repair bill for the cylinder head, or in extreme case, damage to the engine block which requires the replacement of the entire engine. This service is referred to as the the front of engine service. The front of engine service includes the replacement of the timing belt, balance shaft belt, water pump, front of engine oil seals, and the bearing equipped rollers and pulleys that are located on the front of the engine.

The front of engine service is required every 3 years or 30K miles, whichever occurs first. The parts for this service will cost somewhere between $600-$1600 depending on where you buy them and the quality of the parts that you purchase. Labor for the front of engine service is $500-$1500 depending on who does the work. You don't want Fred from the corner gas station messing with your engine. As has been mentioned, some special tools only used to service watercooled front engined Porsches are necessary to perform the front of engine service.

To replace the head gasket requires the removal of the parts normally replaced during a front of engine service. Since you didn't received any service records for the car from the Previous Owner, I strongly recommend that you immeditately take the car to an experienced 944/924S Porsche Mechanic and have the car evaluated. If the engine gasket is blown, you can have the front of engine service, and oil cooler seals replaced at the same time, and you will be good to go for the next 3 years or 30K miles. If the head gasket is not blown, I still recommed having the front of engine service and oil cooler gaskets replaced immediately to help prevent a catastrophe.

Oil pressure is not affected by a blown head gasket or leaking oil cooler seals. so checking the oil pressure is not a way to diagnose these problems.

It is possible that someone changed the oil and coolant immediately before you inspected the car in an attempt to hide the blown head gasket. As I wrote previously, it is also possible that the headgasket has already been replaced, and the oil you saw floating is just residue after the head gasket was replaced. It is also possible that the blown head gasket process is just starting (you still must get it fixed immediately).

A blown head gasket will not always display coolant in the oil, but almost always oil in the coolant.

What about contacting the previous owner to ask about any service work that has been done in the past couple of years?

Is the engine overheating? If not, and the car was mine, I would stop driving it till I locate the mechanic or shiop where I am going to the car serviced/repaired, then risk driving the car directly there. Unless you have the money laying around for a flatbed tow, which would be safer. Just remember that you are probably already looking at $2000-$3000 for repairs and scheduled service.

[Rasta Monsta]

[thirdgenbird]

The car has 70k on it

I did do my homework but I must have missed the head gasket problem. I just had the front service done about 300 miles ago. The dealer drove the car at this time and said it seemed to be in good shape. I talked to the last owner and when he got the car 3 years ago he said he had it serviced, all the fluids changed, and had it inspected by a Porsche mechanic. The temperature gauge reads normal and after getting to operating temperature does not fluctuate. I know exactly where my dealer is, but its 50 miles of highway travel. Would this be a safe trip?
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17in caymans, koni yellow coilovers, hypercoil springs, kla solid upper mounts, 968 sway bars, kla drop links, kla strut brace, fidanza flywheel, dansk catback, wilwood front calipers, ss brake lines, e-codes, 944 duckbill, manual rack,momo steering wheel

[thirdgenbird]

[gohim]

Maybe yes, maybe, no...

[Rasta Monsta]

[Paul]

Oil is lighter than coolant, over time it will find the highest place in the cooling system.
_________________
White 87 924S "Ghost"
Silver 98 986 3.6l 320 HP "Frank N Stein"
White 01 986 "Christine"
Polar Silver 02 996TT. "Turbo"
Owned and repaired 924s since 1977
Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.