Engine Temp Gauge and Fan

[RandallNeighbour]

Brad, you can check to see if the fans are working properly if you like. Turn the AC down to the coldest setting when the car is fully warmed up and leave it running.

Ahead of the front wheels under the bumper cover you should feel hot air blowing down toward the ground. If both are blowing, you're good.

The temp gauge does move around on our cars... fortunately. It's a real temp gauge.

Believe it or not, the newer 987's do not do this... they put in a stupid one that shoots to the same place X minutes after the motor has been running and never moves unless it overheats, in which case it shoots to the red zone.

[Bradster]

Thanks! I'll do the AC fan test next time I take it our for a spin.

[jmatta]

The temp gauge in the Boxster is terribly inaccurate. What may register 180 at the gauge, is more accurately 205 to 210 actual coolant temp. As mentioned earlier, Porsche runs the temps high due to emissions control at the expense of engine longevity. I run the LN 160 degree stat which keeps coolant temps down, translating to lower oil temp.

If you decide to keep the stock t-stat and run the higher temps, at least do your engine a favor and change the oil every 5 to 6k miles.

[Lil bastard]

If you're not hearing the fans, you probably have a bad ballast resistor in the fan wiring - very common problem.

Porsche sells a replacement resistor which you splice into the fan wiring which lives under the front wheel liners - very easy replacement.

Cheers!