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tj924 · Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2004 1:14 am Post subject: Alternator Air Hose

Just discovered curtosy of the Haynes Manual that the alternator should have an air hose connected to it and mine never had one! Is this hose important? Where does run to from the alternator?
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TJ
Silver '82 924 NA 5-Speed Manual

My924gtc · Joined: 14 Aug 2004 Posts: 1362 Location: 248

Should have a plastic vent in the backside of the nose panel somewhere and a shroud on the altenator. No pics right now, but can email if you want.

Also, check your pm's about the wheels.
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MJ
'81 924 2.0L T
'82 924 2.3L SC/EFI <---online fall '06

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tj924 · Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2004 1:34 am Post subject:

Pics would be appreciated if/when you can. I'm assuming this is used to cool the alternator for some reason?

Already checked & answered the PMs

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TJ
Silver '82 924 NA 5-Speed Manual

emoore924 · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 2822

The system is as follows...

There is a white plastic scoop that pops into one of the two oval holes just above the radiator (find the hood latch, reach out left hand, place it just to the left of the porsche crest hood badge, close hand so you curl fingers ove the edge of the nose panel, tips of finger should now be in oval hole...), a hose of some sort that attaches to the plastic scoop, goes down to the cowling on the back of the alternator, then a metal cowling that screws onto the back of the alternator and directs air into the back of the alt.

Cools the alt because it is right under the exhaust manifold and doesn't like heat...

tj924 · Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2004 8:17 am Post subject:

Ah ha! Now I know what the plastic bit was that I managed to push back out of reach

a couple of weeks ago. It just seemed to be sitting loose in there with no purpose. Guess I'll be finding & reconnecting that at some stage as well.

What are the implications of running without the air hose? I certainly drove the car home a couple of hundred km's without it on & the alternator is now stuffed (assuming it was working when I bought the car), could the heat have stuffed the alternator? I'm hoping it's the voltage regulator as the Haynes manual indicates I can change that out without removing the alternator & I need to do an oil change anyway so it will fit in with that.
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TJ
Silver '82 924 NA 5-Speed Manual

jpab924 · Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2004 12:08 pm Post subject:

Paul · Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2004 12:12 pm Post subject:

Nice engine compartment! My new 77 924 didn't look that good!

jpab924 · Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2004 12:14 pm Post subject:

I wish it was mine! Actually grabbed the pic off a 924 going up for grabs on e-bay...

tj924 · Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2004 12:26 pm Post subject:

Thanks for posting the pic jpab924. Looks like I'm missing the white plastic scoop as well! I could feel a smallish cylinderical piece of plastic behind one of those oval holes & gave it a push & it fell down somewhere. I assume it was a piece of this scoopI'll have a look for it when I get the car up. Does the scoop bit go very far under the front in order to get air or does it just end there?

Anyone know if it's dangerous to be driving around without the air hose? Could I have toasted my alternator by doing so?
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TJ
Silver '82 924 NA 5-Speed Manual

emoore924 · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 2822

The piece of plastic is oval on one end so it fits into one of those oval holes on the back of the nosepiece, has a kink, then is round on the other end. Mebbe 10" long. See the pic above and you'll get the idea.

DK if it matters that the piece is off. I'd bet there are bunches of cars out there w/out it, but I'd think for "optimal performance", you really should have it there -- it was designed to be there and it will allow the alt to perform within the design spec temp range -- otherwise, how do you say it, the "part life will be significantly reduced"...

81turbo · Joined: 03 Nov 2002 Posts: 1065 Location: Oakland, CA

When I had my N/A I took that thing off at my first chance. It didn't affect my alternator in the three years that I owned the car. I bet you will be fine without it.

tj924 · Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2004 8:27 am Post subject:

Lizard · Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2004 9:08 am Post subject:

numbbers · Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2004 10:19 am Post subject:

Just switch to a GM alternator, and you won't have to worry about it.
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1980 924 Turbo

Benino · Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2004 2:35 am Post subject:

If you can find one of those plastic tubes I would put it on . the hose, you can get at any auto parts place. It can't hurt and it makes sure cool air is going to your alternator. If they wanted to just keep the wires from touching metal and getting melted they could have just put a cap on the back of the alt. without the air tube. I'm sure driving without it for a while is no big deal but it would probably extend the life of your alternator if you put it on.

the plastic tube's oval end just snaps into the oval hole in the back of the nosepiece. It ends right there. It doesn't go further in.
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1980 Porsche 924 N/A USA
1980 Porsche 924 turbo USA
1987 Porsche 944S USA