It's all new to me...
 

Just got a 2002 Boxster S - easily the most fun I've had in any car...Here's a question though...

I just noticed today that when the car is idling, sometimes I hear what can best be described as a "fan" sound from behind the passenger seat. Is this normal? It seems to go away as soon as I put it in gear (but it just may be masked by the engine noise).

I assume that since that's where the engine is, and it's hot as hell outside today, the engine has a cooling fan somewhere there or by the intakes that I'm hearing...

Normal?

Thanks!

Rick

Yes, it is normal.

You're correct about it being a fan.

The intake vent on the driver's side is the air intake for the engine. The intake vent on the passenger's side is for engine cooling and there is indeed a temperature controlled fan behind that intake, which is most likely what you are hearing and is perfectly normal.

Kirk

Agree with the above!!!

If no sound, I would be worried!!!

Thanks guys!

I've heard the one behind the pass. seat come on many times. Last night I think I heard one come on in the front radiator area of the car. It's been around 100+ here every day this week. So, how many cooling fans are in this car???

sean

There are fans on the front radiators as well as the engine cooling fan that you're hearing behind the passenger door. You should be hearing the front fans fairly regularly and you can feel the hot air exiting the radiators just in front of the front tires.