[smcintyre6492]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the continuing input.

Originally Posted by thom4782

There's a YouTube video that shows how to remove the front bumper cover. Fairly easy to do, but the video makes it a piece of cake.

You said you heard the fans run at high speed; were you able to confirm they run in low speed. If low speed doesn't work, then you'll see a new a new gauge benchmark.

In my case, my gauge sat on the hash mark to the left of the 8 in 180. After a recent coolant change, it moved to the right. After a few weeks, I noticed a coolant level dropped in the tank. My mechanics guess is that an air bubble in the system was causing the higher gauge readings. Once the system was bled, the gauge has returned to its lower reading and the coolant tank level has remained rock steady after topping it off.

Yes, I saw that video, which is what convinced me that I can probably handle the job myself! If that doesn't make a difference, I think I'll have the system bled.

I believe the test for low speed operation of the fans is to turn the AC on when the engine is cold and see if the fans are blowing under the front of the car, correct? If so, then yes, I've confirmed they run at low speed.

Originally Posted by Muzzle of Bees

I would not be concerned, but rather be prepared to replace parts. My 02 was running hotter than normal, like yours just moving gradually beyond the 8. Never near 250 though. Mine was the water pump slowly failing. The pump finally began to regularly leak fluid after sitting a few minutes after being driven.

Yes, this problem started a month ago, then the water pump went earlier this week. I thought that replacing the water pump would return everything back to normal, but so far, no.

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

Is your regular mechanic a Porsche specialist? After discovering the puddle, did he try, as our resident mechanics here have suggested, UV coolant dye to spot a leak in the system? Given that you're in Texas (it gets hell like there when in traffic right?), did he suggest installing the lower temp T-stat? Did he change the coolant cap or did he reuse the old one? If not I would consider a new shop that's more up to date on your car.


I've had clogged radiators in the past, a leaf blower or one of those hoses at coin car wash help to clear it out, but the needle has never gone past the 2 while sitting in traffic. But that thing is not really accurate (hence the need for the lot temp t-stat). I can't believe someone hasn't come up with an aftermarket solution for accurate reading of both the oil level and this. Must not be much demand, just demand for new engines once the heads crack and oil starvation takes it down.

p.s.
Since installing the low temp t-stat, it takes a long while before my needle is at high noon, let alone to the right of that. 100K mile car now driven year round.

My regular mechanic works mainly on Porsches and BMWs, but I don't consider him a Porsche specialist. He is reliable, honest, and close, so he gets my business for routine stuff. Normally for major stuff, I go to a Porsche specialist that is further away, and probably should have done so this time (but the thought that I had a cooling system issue discouraged me from driving it any further than necessary). I don't know whether he did a dye test (though he wanted my car to sit in his shop overnight so he could see what accumulated under it), he did not suggest a low-temp stat, and I think he used the old coolant cap.

One additional data point: since the water pump change a couple of days ago, the car seems to get to temp much more rapidly than it did in the past. That, and the way it spikes up at idle, has me a bit freaked out.

Anyway, the input I've been getting here is leading me to believe that I need to have the system bled. I'll clean the radiators this weekend, then take it to the Porsche specialist next week.

Thanks again for everyone's input, it's been very helpful.