997.1 Carrera S running hot?

[ELROR]

Hi All

I have had my 997 for a couple of years. I usually only drive it on open roads, not much city driving. Today I got stuck in traffic and noticed that the oil temp had gone up to 120 degrees c. Water was about 115 degrees. Cooled down to 90 degrees once moving. When I got home I left it idling for 10 mins and temps went back up to 120 degrees oil and 115 water. Fan in engine bay went on but didn't bring temp down so I switched off the engine. Would welcome views of other owners as to whether this is normal. The water temp dial was close to the max but did not trigger a warning light. Oil an coolant levels are fine. But at idle oil pressure was showing 1 bar which is lower than usual I think.

Thanks

[The_Doc]

Never see oil above 105, and that's with pushing it in 20celius ambient.

Never ever seen the water temp move

Oil pressure never below 1.7, and I was told that below 1.5 means something is wrong

same car as yours

sorry

[ELROR]

Thanks. Suspect it could be front radiator fans as they don't seem to be coming on.

[mollytherocker]

Running this engine hot could damage it. I wouldnt drive it until its sorted.

[ELROR]

Thanks all. Switched off before any warning lights came one so hopefully no damage done. Getting it booked into Jaz.

[YoungMD]

Be very interested to know what it is, sounds like the front rad fans as working fine on the move

[Polome]

A simple test to see if front radiator cooling fans work.....engine running ...switch on air con. Both fans should now run. Easily heard and a draft of air being sucked in at front intakes will confirm. Note..this only proves the fans work ..not if they are needed and running for engine cooling. If the fans only run with AC switched on you can use this method to cool engine as a temporary measure...good luck

Edited by Polome on Sunday 29th May 10:42

Edited by Polome on Sunday 29th May 10:51

[The_Doc]

Just to add,

I hoovered out the crap lodged down in front of my front radiators last weekend. Leaves, dust and stones, easily reached with household hoover nozzle and torch. Ran over both radiators with a toothbrush to freshen, then gentle hoover of them too.

I swear it's running cooler now, perhaps just my bias, but the oil temp gauge is welded to 90, apart from when I boot it, and even then it rises to 100 and then plummets back down again.

I should say it has new oil at last month's service, and new coolant after the water pump died in February

[STiG911]

Don't forget that crap gets thrown into the wheel arch fan vents by the front wheels as they rotate. (Where hot air is supposed to escape from)
If you've driven a lot in rain when there's been a fair chunk of gravel and grit on the roads, it gets into the back of the fan cowlings and jams them.
Cleaning out the rads from the front is fine, but to do a proper job you'll have to drop both front wheels and partially remove the liner from the front of the car. You'll be amazed what comes out of there.

[The_Doc]

STiG911 said:

Don't forget that crap gets thrown into the wheel arch fan vents by the front wheels as they rotate. (Where hot air is supposed to escape from)
If you've driven a lot in rain when there's been a fair chunk of gravel and grit on the roads, it gets into the back of the fan cowlings and jams them.
Cleaning out the rads from the front is fine, but to do a proper job you'll have to drop both front wheels and partially remove the liner from the front of the car. You'll be amazed what comes out of there.

sounds like I'll need more than my hoover/torch combo

home-DIY job?

[STiG911]

Oh yes - on the Haynes 'Spanner' scale I'd say it's one-and-a-half out of five
Essentially:
Car up
Wheel off
Remove five screws
Pull back liner and clean out
Replace screws
Replace wheel and torque
Car down
Repeat on the other side
Beer.

[The_Doc]

STiG911 said:

Oh yes - on the Haynes 'Spanner' scale I'd say it's one-and-a-half out of five
Essentially:
Car up
Wheel off
Remove five screws
Pull back liner and clean out
Replace screws
Replace wheel and torque
Car down
Repeat on the other side
Beer.

beer at end, for weekend DIY job, how novel

[ELROR]

Update. Got the car back from Jaz. Apparently the fans had seized due to road crud as others had suggested. All cleaned up and running as she should. Not got a good track record when it comes to DIY motor repairs so left it to the experts! BTW - Jaz always do my servicing and I can't recommend them highly enough. They report on everything but tell you what to attend to now and what to leave for a later date. Proper Porsche enthusiasts (old and new) without the flashy reception area and show room. Nice to know you are paying for car repairs rather than a posh coffee while you wait.

Thanks all.