Go Back   986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners > Porsche Boxster & Cayman Forums > Performance and Technical Chat

Post Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 07-05-2017, 08:43 AM   #1
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: New England
Posts: 296
Engine Ventilation Fan -- can it be improved?

Went for a long drive yesterday and, after parking our Box in the garage, noticed that hot air was still pouring out of the passenger side vent long after the engine was shut down. Which got me to thinking, could the engine vent be improved? Are there any relatively simple improvements we could make to help with thermal management? Some ideas...

It seems, just from a visual inspection, that the tube between the fan and the vent grill is somewhat restrictive. Could it be enlarged?

The grill in the vent covers half of the opening. Could we remove the grill and replace with a screen?

Has anyone hacked the fan so it could be turned on with battery power when the engine is powered off?

Just thinking out loud...

Need_for_speed is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-05-2017, 08:51 AM   #2
There Is No Substitute.
 
rick3000's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: West Coast
Posts: 3,253
Garage
You can add a manual switch to trigger the engine compartment fan, however the relay is located in the trunk, so running a wire to the cabin is troublesome. I have found that adding a switch for the high-speed radiator fans is sufficient to keep everything runnings at acceptable temperatures. Those relays are in the driver's footwell so it is much easier to install.

Engine Compartment Fan Manual Switch
__________________
1999 Ocean Blue Metallic Boxster - blueboxster.com
rick3000 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-05-2017, 09:44 AM   #3
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: New England
Posts: 296
Quote:
Originally Posted by rick3000 View Post
You can add a manual switch to trigger the engine compartment fan, however the relay is located in the trunk, so running a wire to the cabin is troublesome. I have found that adding a switch for the high-speed radiator fans is sufficient to keep everything runnings at acceptable temperatures. Those relays are in the driver's footwell so it is much easier to install.

Engine Compartment Fan Manual Switch
Actually, this would be a great idea for track days. You could turn the fan on between runs to help the motor cool down.

Great...all the photos in the link are gone because of the 3rd party photo issue. All the work Tom and others have done to help us, now gone.

That said, thanks to Tom's post I am now aware that the fan will actually come on when the engine is off if the temp is high enough. Makes me wonder if the manual switch is actually necessary...

Last edited by Need_for_speed; 07-05-2017 at 09:52 AM.
Need_for_speed is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-05-2017, 09:51 AM   #4
Certified Boxster Addict
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 7,669
Quote:
Originally Posted by Need_for_speed View Post
Great...all the photos in the link are gone because of the 3rd party photo issue. All the work Tom and others have done to help us, now gone.
Working on it!
__________________
1999 996 C2 - sold - bought back - sold for more
1997 Spec Boxster BSR #254
1979 911 SC
POC Licensed DE/TT Instructor
thstone is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-05-2017, 11:13 AM   #5
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: S.California
Posts: 2,027
As a little hack, just reposition the temp sensor for the Engine Compartment closer to the crankcase(heat source). It will come on sooner and stay on longer. It will also come on even after you remove the key -heat soak.
Pelican have a DIY that shows the Sensor and it's location. Just push it out of the rubber retainer and re-position wherever you like.

Last edited by Gelbster; 07-06-2017 at 12:53 PM.
Gelbster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-05-2017, 02:44 PM   #6
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: New England
Posts: 296
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gelbster View Post
As a little hack, just reposition the temp sensor for the Engine Compartment closer to the crankcase(heat source). It will come on sooner and stay on longer. It will also come on even after you remove the key -heat soak.
That sounds like a great idea. Is this something you've done? Can you provide any details or photos? Not sure where the temp sensor is located.
Need_for_speed is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2017, 08:04 PM   #7
ISSIMI
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Bay Area CA
Posts: 146
I too noticed the plate in the pass side vent looking quite restrictive. Wondering if it would be as simple as undoing a few screws to remove. Obviously the potential for litter and heavy rain getting sucked in is a issue to consider first.

BTW i'd recommend installing the fan switches. Running a wire from the trunk to the cabin is not difficult. I ran mine through the carpet to the back/inside of the glove box. Used some double sided tape to mount it. The wiring for the front rads were even simpler.


Last edited by Most_Wanted; 07-11-2017 at 08:10 PM.
Most_Wanted is offline   Reply With Quote
Post Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 07:18 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page