Radiator Fans and water temp

[shlim8]

Thanks for the reply.

But if the temp used to be 90 on the meter and now it's jumped to close to 100, it would seem that something has changed. Regardless of whether the meter is non-linear or not...

Any ideas on whether a failed oil temp sensor would cause the DME to turn on the fans later ?? It would seem the water temp sensor is ok, since both gauge and a/c show a higher water temp of 100. Unless the DME reads the water temp from a different sensor ?

He has to order in an oil temp sensor, so was wondering if there is anything else that might be needed. Out of desparation (me thinks), he's flushing the radiators as well, but I doubt that's going to help, since the fans are coming in at 100 (low) and 103 (high) C and I don't think there are any temp sensors at the radiators.

Another thing he noticed was that the coolant level has actually gone up (when cold). I've never seen that happening... only down not up. Air in the cooling system ?? I had passed him, the burping procedure for tip cars to him, not sure if his mechanic had followed the procedure. But I would presume that after a week, any air should have gone through the system ?

[Steve Tinker]

This really sounds like air in the cooling system, but the 996 expansion bottle is different to the Boxster one, and I'm not sure if there is a bleed valve you can leave open for a couple of heat cycles to rid the system of air like you can on the Boxster.
Have a look at Rennlist.com (under 996 Forum) and use the search function - it may help with diagnosing the problem....
As a matter of interest, did your friend split the radiators (coolant and A/C) on both sides when he removed the bumper and removed the rubbish - mine looked reasonably clean untill I split the rads, then a load of leaves, grass, cig butts etc fell out and even more when I hosed out between the rad fins.

[shlim8]

Yes, most of the rubbish was between the condensor and radiator.

Hmmm, I guess there will be another round of burping again, since the car will in for radiator flushing again. He suspects choked radiators although I doubt it's going to help.

[JFP in PA]

I have to agree with Steve; if the cooling system is not being refilled with a vacuum system, it has air in it. And it does have a bleeder very similar to the Boxster.