Boxster Temp-Where Does Yours Normally Run?

[dharder]

What should be the normal temp range be for a '98 2.5? Mine seems to be running a little higher lately (not just because it's summer). Given the 180 mark, the hash mark in the middle, and the 250 mark, mine used to run right at the 180 mark. Lately it's been running between 1/4 above the 180 mark to 3/4 above the mark. I've tried bleeding the system but it doesn't seem to make much of a difference......

[B.A.M.]

Should run in the vicinity of the 0 in the 180 mark. Check your fans, coolant bottle for leak, and the big one is the water pump impeller. It tends to break loose from the shaft and spin freely. It will work o/k when cold and when the temp comes up it will slip on the shaft. I am speaking from experience. The new series pumps have supposedly cured this problem.
Tom

[dharder]

Maybe I'm overreacting. Mine typically runs around the left side of the 0 in 180. When I'm pushing a pass it will go slightly past the 0. It just seems like it used to run cooler although it has been pretty hot here lately. I already replaced the coolant bottle about 20k miles ago when it cracked. As for the fans-they seem to work. I can certainly hear them when the engine is hot. I recently purchased the Durametric software kit so I could access some of the more esoteric Porsche parameters. This software supposedly give you the opportunity to turn on the fans with a laptop. It's pretty cool what you can do with this software but I've never been able to get the fan-on feature to work.

How ghastly is a water pump replacement? That's a good one-the water pump impeller slipping when the temps go up! That's like loaning someone an umbrella when it's dry and asking for it back when it starts to rain. Ha!

Thanks for your reply!!

[racer]

Have you cleaned out the radiators lately? You can collect tons of little debris in those front intake grills that eventually reduce the effectiveness of the radiators and make the car run warm. IIRC, the fans will automatically come on when the AC is on. Be sure to check for the fans when the car is hot but the AC is off.

[JMatta]

My '02 S runs right at the top of the "8" in the 180, no matter the outdoor temp.

[B.A.M.]

Water pump replacement is a piece of cake. Very well engineered. Sure helps to have a lift though.
Tom

[dharder]

"Have you cleaned out the radiators lately?" Good point. The last time I cleaned out the radiators I found golf-ball sized rocks, dead birds, branches, leaves, and all kinds of other goodies. I guess I'd better check again.

"Water pump replacement is a piece of cake. Very well engineered." I looked in my manual and saw that they've actually made it fairly easy to do this with the behind-the-seat access. Surprise, surprise...

As for the lift-I'm covered.....


Thanks everyone!

[lilredpo]

On my '01 S, the needle covers the right side of the 8, but does not cover the space or any part of the 0 not matter how hot it gets outside.

[RadioDjKev]

My 99' Boxster runs just after the 180 mark, right on the "8" and never changes regardless of outside temp.(which for me is around 80 degress.

Kevin

[stew]

yeah check the radiators.where are you and that shop in tahoe. i lived in tahoe north shore for 12 years.

[dharder]

I live just on the California side of the Nev/Cali border on the north shore. The shop is in Truckee.

[dharder]

Here's the reason for the erratic temps. Note the offset spring.....

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[JMatta]

Can you please explain the "offset spring"? I wouldn't know the difference if I had taken that from my car.

[dharder]

The bottom of the spring should be centered on the thermostat plate. The spring being offset could cause the thermostat plate to be cocked and not open completely or correctly.