Radiator cleanout MY99

[dr7966]

I was noticing on warmer days my the temp needle was around the middle of the zero of the 180 so yesterday I removed the front bumper and cleaned out the radiators.

Also replaced the inner fender on the drivers side. The bumper removal was the hard part. Remove headlights, snap out side markers, side marker screws, bottom screws and attachment screws in front of the front tires. There are these black rivets 3 in front of the hood and 2 on the bottom. I was able to pry out the top ones but broke the bottom ones. Dont know why Porsche uses these. I will try to find something more removeable. Sunset Porsche sent me some extra clips and screws that were used.

Removed the rubber housings and had alot of bugs and stuff in between the AC condensers and radiators. Brushed it off and sprayed lightly with the hose.

I bought the car in December with 80k miles and dont think the front bumper has been previously removed.

Need to replace the plastic in front of front tires. This didnt go back together very well. Unable to get the screw in.

[der meister]

Looks like a worthwhile project, but I guess you can run into some challenges putting it all back together as new.

My temp also goes slightly to the right of 180 occassionally. I imagine I've got a similar collection of bug guts. :)

[White987S]

I clean out my front rads every time before and after my car washing routine, with a leaf blower. Lots of stuff comes out. Especially dry, before washing.

[dr7966]

Occasionally blowing the stuff out is probably a good idea to prevent it from getting in between the condenser and radiator. Once its in there like mine was I think the only way to get it is to take it apart. Porsche could have designed the front bumper with a larger opening so that you could get in there to clean and maintain the cooling system. You cant see if you have a problem until you tear it apart.

[rattles]

Looks like a worthwhile project, but I guess you can run into some challenges putting it all back together as new.

My temp also goes slightly to the right of 180 occassionally. I imagine I've got a similar collection of bug guts. :)

There is a very good series of posts about this in the 996 DIY section, it's not difficult and is really worthwhile doing regularly. You wont get all of the stuff out with a vacuum or leaf blower. Loren has listed a step by step guide for removal and re assembly.

[KevinMac]

Looks like a worthwhile project, but I guess you can run into some challenges putting it all back together as new.

My temp also goes slightly to the right of 180 occassionally. I imagine I've got a similar collection of bug guts. :)

There is a very good series of posts about this in the 996 DIY section, it's not difficult and is really worthwhile doing regularly. You wont get all of the stuff out with a vacuum or leaf blower. Loren has listed a step by step guide for removal and re assembly.

I don't think the temps you all are seeing is unusual for city driving!

[dr7966]

Looks like a worthwhile project, but I guess you can run into some challenges putting it all back together as new.

My temp also goes slightly to the right of 180 occassionally. I imagine I've got a similar collection of bug guts. :)

There is a very good series of posts about this in the 996 DIY section, it's not difficult and is really worthwhile doing regularly. You wont get all of the stuff out with a vacuum or leaf blower. Loren has listed a step by step guide for removal and re assembly.

I don't think the temps you all are seeing is unusual for city driving!

Driving home from work today didnt notice much of an improvement in the temp gauge. It still goes into the zero of the 180. As long as its normal I am not going to worry about it.

[kabel]

for me It's more peace of mind, knowing that by keeping it clean it should perform more efficiently. I noticed no change in my temperature gauge after a thorough cleaning of the radiators. But I felt much better about the 'health' of my car.

[viper501]

The big advantage to the cleanout is more than just temperature. The collection of gunk will rapidly degrade the radiators themselves leading to premature failure.

[G-off]

Temp gauge running up to 3/4 is fine, a little unnerving but its ok. I think it was the early 944's that always stuck towards the 3/4 mark and Porsche ended up recalibrating the gauges to sit more towards the middle so people wouldn't worry about it so much.