I live in AZ and it never really gets cold here. I'm replacing my water pump, from what looks like a water pump leak, but I'm thinking about removing the thermostat because it is HOT here. Can't get my temps down to normal. The factory water pump busted 2 fins on the cheap plastic pump. I was thinking I would get better water flow and avoid problems with a sticking t-stat if I just removed that too. Is that OK?

 

Don't, the water won't stay in the radiators long enough to dissipate the heat, a better option IMO would be to get a low temp thermostat from LN Engineering. You could also get a center radiator.

 

Your ECU runs different calibrations until the engine gets up to temperature (richer fuel mixture), and no thermostat will delay how long the car takes to that temp...

Apart from wasting fuel and possibly other negative effects, I wouldn't be surprised if the ECU starts throwing error codes from the prolonged warmup period.

Plus it is unlikely to do much for your cooling issue. Are you sure you don't have air in your system? Correct coolant?

Your login is 'Boosttt', implying a turbo, but this is the regular 996 forum. Is the car a turbo? If not, have you considered adding the third middle radiator?

 

I thought the water would possibly move through the radiator too quickly to cool properly, but I did not know the engine would change the A/F ratios. Thanks for the info.

The car that is running hot is a 99 Carrera. Runs with the needle right on the zero of the 180 number. It is now over 100 degrees here now, but I have not gotten my water pump in yet.... I have a bolt that is busted and stuck. Looks like I'm gonna have to drop the engine to drill it out. Bummer. I was planning on my usual 50/50 prestone and a bottle of water wetter this time. I just ho[pe I got the fragments out fro the busted propeller. I think they flushed out.

The 04 996TT never gets past the middle. I was asking about my NA, so it is correct for this forum.

I have not tried a third radiator. I'll have to get my new water pump in first, then check if that helps, but if not, I'll possibly try a front radiator.

Any other suggestions?

 

You could always run without it and see what temp the car runs at. It definitely could overheat from too much flow.

You can also run less coolant to water ratio since it never gets cold there. Try 10-25% coolant instead of 50%.

 

What do you consider "normal"? A lot of newbs(I made the mistake too before) don't know how a Porsche temp gauge is suppose to read and often think their cars are running hot. A proper operating stock cooling system should be sufficient unless tracking. Master on RL had just commented about this IIRC.

 

OK. The new water pump is in. I do have a center radiator already...(tiptronic), but the temp is getting to the line between the 180 and 250 now that it is 107 in Tucson. No warning lights, but I'm worried about the temps that high. Now what? I ran through the fluid fill steps, and do not seem to have air in the system. Park it all summer? This is on my 99 C2.

 

It is my understanding that 3.4 motors run a bit hotter than 3.6 motors. If it is in the 180 range, then that is "normal", taking into account outside temps. I'd call LN Engineering and ask of their t-stat would help out, but it seems as if it is air in the lines more than anything (has to be done with a special tool in vacuum).

 

Take a pic of your temp gauge. Is the needle past the "0" in 180? It technically shouldn't get too far past the right side of the "0" mark if everything is working correctly.

 

Yes it continues to climb as I drive. In about 40 mins the temp is on the next line over 180, so, about 210 or so? The longer I drive, the higher the temps go. It does not matter if I'm idling or driving. I have no clue? I may add a big oil cooler. The stock bumper seems fairly restrictive to air flow. My 996TT never gets hot?

 

This is the reason I sold my air-cooled 911 a few years ago. Could not get it to cool properly. Isn't there a better radiator on the market for a 99 NA996? The coolant is new. I did multiple steps to get the air out. The water pump is new....now what? I may take a pressure sprayer to the radiator and clean it but the last time I washed my car, the trunk flooded and fried my Amps. I'm starting to wonder about this car. It drives and looks great, but come on!

 

Check the fans. My car was running quite warm even though the weather was only in the mid 80s and it turned out to be the driver side fan wire was shorted.

 

First make sure both cooling fans are operating.

Second do this:
Third do this:http://www.ppbb.com/phorum/read.php?6,1509504,1509504

And finally, remove the drain plug just under the rear behind the license plate and let out everything it can, it'll stop when about 2 and a half gallons of coolant drain, add distilled water instead of coolant and a bottle of this: http://www.redlineoil.com/Products.aspx?pcid=10 then burp the system.

3 years ago there were plenty of posts on Rennlist from me because my '99 that I had just bought ran so hot it was scaring me. I did all of the above and never use anything but Mobile 1 - 0W40 and the needle always stays in between the 8 and the 0 of 180. Its a bit of work but I guarantee you it will cure your stress.

PS I'm in Arizona too... I sent you a PM with my phone number in case you need some coaching

 

To me this sounds like a bad thermostat or one of the radiators is bad. I live in Florida and drive the snot out of my car and the temp never goes to the 0 in the 180 mark.
Something here is not right.

 

Thanks for the post White. I guess that's what I'll be doing this wk end. I do run Water Wetter as well in all my cars. I did not see one degree of change when I added it to my 996. I bet the radiators need cleaning. Thanks again for the great post.