I had always passed a vacuum through the front bumper and there wasn't usually very much. But what you see is only the AC rad. There's actually much more in there! I too never had any heating/cooling irregularities. And yes, everything seems to have been easier on my 986's!
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James now has: 2008 987S 6 speed
Crashed: 2010 987.2 pdk in speed yellow!
Sold to a cool racer chick: 2004 986 S
YouTube channel: the PORSCHE as seen by NewArt
www.youtube.com/channel/UCohdrH2xHTklM1thxk0KKOQ?