I am the third owner of a southern California 2005 DB9. Perfect car, always garaged, serviced as she should be with records, interior and exterior in fantastic condition. The first owner had it from 05-07 and put 5400 miles on her. The second owner had it from 07-18 and put 4400 miles on her. I bought the DB9 last October with 98xx miles. The guy I bought it from told me he always opened the hood to let the engine cool down after a drive. I thought that was a best practice and have been doing the same. I drive it more than he did as I am approaching 13,000 miles. The temp gauge goes to 50% and stays there when I drive her for 45 minutes to 3+ hours. It takes a while for the V12 to be cool to the touch. All the rubber under the hood is in excellent condition. I'm thinking it aint broke so I don't need to fix it. How do you guys deal with engine cool down?

 

I also raise the hood to help the cool down process when I get home.

 

I do it from time to time. One way to get the engine to run cooler is to swap the thermostat for the one in the Vanquish, Virage, or 2013+ DB9. It opens up at about 8 degrees celsius sooner than the one currently on the car. The temp needle isn't always the most accurate. Mine used to stick to the halfway mark but now it will hover about a tick lower when not in stop and go traffic or at idle for a while. Also i'm in Florida.

 

Hood vents dissipate heat. After a hard run, I just let the engine idle 30 seconds.

I suppose you could pop open his but then you have to remember to come back and close it

 

I have a V12S with the massive hood vents - when sitting for a light you can see the waves in the air generated by the heat escaping the engine bay.

 

I recall seeing some threads on AMOC about premature ignition coil failure on DB7 V12s because they don't have hood vents.

Can't hurt to open the hood, but make sure your gas struts are in good shape -- I've had my hood fall because of weak struts.

 

You can always carry a 2x4 in the boot to prop the bonnet open yvr. Problem solved...................

 

At home.....it's a good idea to open the hood. It's freakin' scorching hot under there and the vents on the 05 are quite small. I have one also. Also use dash shade parking outside.

 

What is "dash shade parking" DonBond? That's a new one for me.

 

Custom made roll uo/fold up sun shield for your dash. An absolute must when parking outside.