Hi,
I have done my best to diagnose this problem, but really need some
input from anyone who would be willing to help. I just bought a 1989
944 base model about a month ago. The car came with no records, so
naturally I brought it to the shop. I had many things replaced,
including the water pump, timing belt, front engine oils seals, power
steering pump/update, and my sunroof fixed (a costly operation I do
not recommend having your mechanic do).
I also asked them to check out the heater, as the person I purchased
the vehicle from said it was missing a heater core. It turns out the
heater core was there, but just bypassed. The mechanics smoked tested
the heat core, and it appeared to be fine. They reconnected the
heater core back into the coolant system. They said it should be OK.
Now here is the where the fun began.
I picked up my car and drove it home that night, where it had time to
sit. The next morning I took my girlfriend out for a ride, and we
both kept trying to figure out "what that smell was". When we get
back her new boots were soaked. At first I thought it may be a leak
coming from the battery compartment, but upon further investigation I
realized it was indeed coolant. It looks like it is coming from
around or above more likely from the two metal lines the run to the
left and inside of the glove compartment. It is a fairly large leak,
but it isnt massive.
My first instinct is that it is the heater core that is bad. Could my
mechanic of missed something with the smoke test? Could it possibly
be a lose hose or line? Could it be the heater control valve? Would
a leak from that allow coolant into the passenger foot well? I do
know that the heater control valve is not working, as the leak
continues even when I turn the climate control to cold air. That will
need to be replaced. I am asking for help, as it is quite a job to
remove that dash, and if I can figure out if I need a heater core than
I would really like to do that before I tear it open the first time so
I do not have to do it a second time.
Also,
Does anyone have an advice for trying to located a used instrument
cluster? The guy before me screwed around with the one and it now has
a white background, which looks surprisingly ugly and unnatural in
this car. The MPG and temperature gauge are also screwy. Would a
gauge from any post 85.5 car work?
Also,
This may be a stupid question, but which of my two cooling fans is for
the A/C and which is for the engine? Are they one in the same, and
both only come on when using the A/C? I have yet to see both running
and am just wondering if I need a new relay. Does one fan function at
different times for each task (i.e., the left runs when its hot, but
if its not hot and the A/C is on then the left runs for that
instead).
I would really appreciate any help anyone may offer. I am new to 944
ownership and already feel these little things starting to drain me
(and not just financially!). Thanks.
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