M030
M030 Dork
5/20/15 6:42 p.m.

I love my early Boxster 2.5 more than is probably healthy to adore an inanimate object and I'm trying to ensure its long term survival. I've done all of the requisite upgrades (IMS bearing, RMS, air-oil separator, metal impeller water pump, et al) and I over-maintain it with frequent fluid flushes, but it has a trait that really irritates me. In traffic, the cooling fans don't kick on until 210°, which is 3/4 up the temp gauge and hot enough to illuminate the red temperature warning light. I installed a 160° thermostat and had the cooling system flushed & bled by the Porsche dealer. When I mentioned the cooling fan "issue" to said dealer, they referred me to my owner's manual which states that 210° is when the fans are supposed to come on and assured me that everything is functioning properly. Still, I HATE that the fans don't come on at 180-190° So my question is this: where can I get a fan switch that will kick my fans on at a lower temperature?

Knurled
Knurled GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
5/20/15 7:00 p.m.

It's most likely not a switch, but software in the computer.

If it IS a switch, my respect for Porsche engineering will drop an order of magnitude. There is no reason for it to be some low-tech nasty mechanical switch, when it SHOULD be controlled by the engine computer, which already knows (to the degree) what the coolant temp is, and can control everything with solid state electronics instead of crude switches.

210 isn't very hot. Most modern cars don't kick the fans on until 220-240 degrees.

pres589
pres589 UberDork
5/20/15 7:17 p.m.

160 degree thermostat is a great way to have condensation build-up in the oil. The oil never gets hot enough to "boil" water off. It also means that, if this actually worked, the car wouldn't go into closed-loop ECU operation nearly as often. The fan temp you're after is awfully cold as well.

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