Radiator overheats, blown hose - 1st time ever

[jolie]

Great Porsche story:

My 1987, 944 was leaking radiator water on and off for about 6 months. The
other day, on the way to the NYC - about 100 miles from my home. I noticed
the temp gauge pinned, but I had about 10 miles to get to the service area,
watching the gauge and praying. The temp did go down a bit as I drove, so I
just kept going the 10 miles to a service stop. Let her cool down a bit,
and filled her up and went on my merry way.

Then, a week ago I went camping - it was like the hottest day of the year
around here - in the 90's and humid. Sunday and ready to leave and I
noticed smoke under the hood - no. it cant be me...it must be dust. Oh
well, check the temp gauge, and the gauge was pinned again, but this time
the light was on in the temp gauge. I didn't even know it had a light.

Blown hose - the hose that goes to the heater temp switch towards the back
of the engine. There is no way I was getting stuck...but I had no tools and
it was so hot out!

Well I borrowed screwdrivers, pliers and a mini set of tools and would you
just know it, I was able to cut a section of 1 1/2 D or so hose from the
bottom of the coolant overflow container to the radiator - I replaced the
back hose with the cut out section and I drove the 200 miles home in ac
comfort!

When I got off the expressways and parkways, and was on the last final back
roads to my house, at the first traffic light, the gauge was pinned again.
I drove to the gas station, and would you believe I actually left the
radiator overflow cap off...for the entire 200 miles - the 944 ran cool...

I replaced the cap - it was just lying there next to the ac filter - and
filled her up again with water - and actually got home. The hose repair was
an emergency but it was great and permanent...and 2 weeks later, no more
radiator leaks.

260,000 miles and running strong. Porsche makes a great car - it so much
more than mere beauty or handling! Sometimes over the years of ownership -
I swear the car can cool itself with just air.

--

joliett
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[darthpup]

It sounds like you put tap water in the system. Would strongly
recommend draining it out
and using distilled water with ethylene glycol only. The aluminum
parts will corrode with tap water.