Boxster Started Overheating at 40° - Help!

[rick3000]

Hi,
I have a slight problem with my Boxster today. I was driving home, and I looked down at the instrument cluster, and noticed that my car was overheating. It was 40° outside, which sort of baffled me. It normally hangs around 180, maybe a little over (about one needle width), but it was half way between 180 and the second mark (picture). Right as I pulled into the driveway I started to smell a slight burning.

I called my Porsche dealer and made an appointment for Wednesday, but wanted to get your guys opinion before I spend a few hundred dollars. I got the car at Carmax, with there warranty. Do you think it will be covered?
The only two things that I can think of that may have caused it were, accelerating to 6k RPM which I normally don't do too often, as I got on the freeway, and I washed my car (Maybe some of the foam got in the radiators?).

All opinions are appreciated!
Thanks!

[dcporsche99]

IMHO, that's pretty normal. On very hot days & while in traffic, mine would move to the border (the right edge) of the zero....but not beyond it.

I have read about this before because, like you, I was worried....I looked on our site, renntech, and a few others and many agree that it's pretty normal....especially after a spirited drive.

BTW, the smell that you described is also normal.

[Burg Boxster]

might want to bleed the system - could have an air bubble trapped. Your temp is not all that out of line except for it only being 40 degrees.

[Rick V]

I wouldn't worry about it. like the others have said, it is somewhat normal. could be as simple as leaves in the rad. you wouldn't believe the amount of ewwwwwwwww that gets built up in there. It should be covered by the warantee.

[blue2000s]

I'll chime in also for reassurance that that's perfectly normal. In fact, over the 0 is the only place I've ever seen my needle once warmed up.

Whether it's 40 or 100, the fans come on at the same water temperature to keep the coolant at the correct operating temp. There's a warning light that lights up on the dial when you're in the operating temperature danger zone.

[Rick V]

Originally Posted by blue2000s

I'll chime in also for reassurance that that's perfectly normal. In fact, over the 0 is the only place I've ever seen my needle once warmed up.

Whether it's 40 or 100, the fans come on at the same temperature to keep the coolant at the correct operating temp. There's a warning light that lights up on the dial when you're in the operating temperature danger zone.

By the time the red light comes on, it is almost too late. If you see that light pull over very fast and shut off the car. As a side question do you have a history on the thermostat, and/or waterpump and coolant flush? and lets not forget the obvious...................the coolant lever is correct, right?