996 Carrera running hot!

[sgsims1]

Is 210 F that bad? I recorded a trip the other day on my new ODBII reader and 210 was the highest read in the coolant temp. The needle was I think over the zero where it usually is.
All my “forum research” shows that a lot of guys cars are this hot.

This 205-215 pretty normal from all I’ve heard

[5chn3ll]

If this is a cause for concern, you might want to consider the center radiator kit. I have all three radiators on my '99 C4, and I can blast all the way from Redlands to Big Bear Lake during the summer without a noticeable increase in coolant temps.

[noahsdad]

Yes, Im gonna get the 3rd radiator installed, along with the 160 stat. My indy recommends this as well. He says all of the Boxter spec racers run them too. thank you.

[Johnca58]

My car 04 C2 and the kids car 02 C2 we both run 160 stats, mine being Wahlers and his L&N stats, we ran the Sierra's twist's up to 5000 ft. altitude and very hot weather of 91 degree's at 5000 ft. yesterday, the twist's allowed about a 30 mph avg. so both cars were up to 220 degree on the hard climbs, we both run OBDII gauges, once on the freeway and 70 mph avg speed temps dropped to 200 to 205 in 97 degree temps. I had thought my Wahler stat might have been sticking but both cars were pretty much the same. I know the first stage high temp light doesn't come on till 225 degree's, I am going to look at the third radiator option.

[02TX996Cab]

+1 on adding third radiator.

When I got my 996 back from Jake Raby several years ago after getting his 3.8L Stage 1 treatment, it came with the 160F thermostat. On hard runs the coolant temps would get pretty toasty and take quite a while to come back down. Conclusion--the 160F thermostat on its own wasn't enough. The opportunity arose a few years later to install a third radiator (the damn thing was already sitting on my bench...but that's another story) and with that I can run the car hard-hard, at elevation (4000-5000 ft) and the coolant temps basically do not budge.

One thing you may notice with the third radiator installed is that the coolant will be hot a bit more quickly at low speeds. That's because the only airflow through the third radiator comes from the car's speed (no fan assist). Once you get motoring along however the temps drop back to normal quickly because of the extra cooling area.

[noahsdad]

Thank you. I ordered the 3rd radiator kit from Pelican Parts. Turns out the radiator is back ordered. Late August estimated delivery. There are several used OEM and new Chinese radiators on Ebay, but Im gonna wait for the CSF unit.

[OceanBlue2000]

Thank you. I ordered the 3rd radiator kit from Pelican Parts. Turns out the radiator is back ordered. Late August estimated delivery. There are several used OEM and new Chinese radiators on Ebay, but Im gonna wait for the CSF unit.

Rennline looks like it has one two, but its expensive. I read the Pelican instructions and it doesn't look too hard. Trimming the bumper cover makes me nervous.

[02TX996Cab]

I purchased a full center radiator kit which came with all the necessary brackets, hoses, etc. No trimming required. I got mine from Suncoast but they've jacked the living bejesus out of their prices. Carnewal sells the same kit for the MY99 3.4L at a price (after converting currency) that is way more reasonable. Best to email Gert (who owns Carnewal) to confirm availability, pricing and to get a shipping estimate if you want to further consider that option. http://www.carnewal.com/products/996/p9 ... t-for-3.4L

[noahsdad]

Wow that's almost half the price I paid, not including shipping. Hopefully others looking will purchase that unit and save big $$$.

[Johnca58]

Have notice Pelican sells the 997 kits for little over 200 dollars and 996 kits for 900 dollars, basically same amount of components. WTF