Viper1000

What are some of the typical (normal) engine temps you're seeing while driving along? I live in Houston and noticed the temp gauge will creep up closer to the line between the 180 & 250 mark and just wondering if thats normal?

FlattestSix

Live in Florida and had a very similar question when I bought mine back in October. This is as far "hot" as mine gets before it begins to cool itself and slowly start to make its way back toward the left edge of the "0." Tends to happen if I'm riding in traffic. It definitely worried me at first when I got the car but 1) My Indy said its normal and 2) it hasn't gone past the right edge of the "0" YET. But I keep an eye on it nevertheless. Curious to hear what others say.

996C438

Are both radiator fans coming on ?

PUZZ1

I'm in the northeast and mine is usually just past the 180 mark

SoCal911t

Once up to temp, mine looks just like FlattestSix's. We can get temps in the 90s occasionally but I've never noticed it creeping even a tiny bit.

Lady Silver

Me too. Same same.

Viper1000

Seems we're all in the same boat so it must be normal Thanks for all the responses

GC996

Yep. Normal.

DreamCarrera

+1

If you're concerned that your car is running hot, check to make sure that both of your radiator fans are running on the low-speed setting. If one (or both) of the fans is not running then you have a blown resistor on that side. An easy test is to turn on your AC, which will automatically run both radiator fans on the low setting.

I'd be willing to bet that a good number of 996 owners are running around with blown radiator fan resistors on their cars.

Mike Murphy

On my 99 Cab, the dash gauge can go all the way to the last white line before the low speed fans come on, but I suspect that later model years cars behave slightly differently, as Porsche has slowly and systematically changed that dash gauge so that it strays less and less away from perceived ‘middle’ so as not to alarm owners.

You can plug in a Durametric and check your DME temps: ECTS metric (Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor), or buy a cheap Bluetooth dongle and hook it up to the ODBCII port and measure your temps.

Here’s how the fans work on these cars:Electric fans

There are two radiator modules installed in the front of the vehicle (on the left- and right-hand side). These radiators are each fitted with an electric fan. They can be operated at two speeds and are activated by the DME control unit whenever the following conditions apply:

Electric fan, speed 1

(Ground to DME control unit, terminal 35)

Coolant temperature higher than 96.75°C or air conditioning switched on.

Electric fan, speed 2

(Ground to DME control unit, terminal 36)

Coolant temperature > 102°C or air-conditioning fluid pressure switch closed (coolant pressure > 16 bar).

Note: The electric fans for the radiators are only triggered when the engine is running!

exthree

SW Florida: Needle-width above 180. /X3

Viper1000

Thanks guys. I'll do the A/C process and see if they are both running as now I'm wondering myself. Although I never run the A/C (it's a convertible) but will do that today. With most responding that it's running in the normal temp range, I would like to make sure both fans are working as well. Thanks for the suggestions!

Mike Murphy

IMO, the low speed fans are not very loud or noticeable, which is by design. They will likely come on in very heavy stop and go traffic after about 30-40 mins or driving. At highway speed, they will likely never go on.

sublm8

PSA: Durametric can actuate both fan speeds without running the engine or bringing it to temp. Which is how I discovered my low speed resistors were toast.