Temperature Increasing Slowly

[greg0078]

2001 996 47K miles.

The engine temperature or coolant temperature needle has always sat on the 8 (180), once when i did a long 3 hr drive it drifted to then end of the zero, but it was a 3 hr drive on a 90degree day, but no big deal, that was 3 yrs ago.  It has always sat on the 8.  I noticed recently during city driving in about 15 mins, the needle starts to drift to the end of the the zero, and when its on the highway for a few minutes it would lower back into the beginning of the zero, but never back onto the 8.  

No leaks under the car, i see no signs of coolant in the engine, nor do i smell coolant dripping onto hot parts.  

My question is is this a precursor for something failing?  Anything i can check?  

 

Any advice appreciated.  

 

[Loren]

Have you checked to see that the front of the radiators are clean?

[greg0078]

Just now, Loren said:

Have you checked to see that the front of the radiators are clean?

i have not, but that is a good first start, thanks Loren

[wizard]

Apart from the radiators, are your fans working at that temperature?

 

 

[greg0078]

yes when i pull into the garage i hear the fans running.  Im going to clear the radiators out first, i think thats a good first step

[Loren]

33 minutes ago, greg0078 said:

i have not, but that is a good first start, thanks Loren

If you decide to remove the bumper to do a thorough cleaning there is a very good video DIY here

[porschedude]

Are you sure the engine coolant is actually getting warmer? Could it be a slowly changing or degrading sender unit or gauge? I would verify that the calibration is good by installing a temporary gauge and sender that you first verify the temporary gauge/sender is good by test running the gauge/sender in boiling water on the stove.

[Ahsai]

You need to verify the radiator fans are working in both low speed and high speed settings. Durametric can activate the fans to help you troubleshoot.

You can turn on the a/c and the fans should be on at low speed. Then put your hands on the ground about 1 foot right in front of each front wheel to feel the fans blowing.

Edited July 14, 2016 by Ahsai

[Loren]

41 minutes ago, Ahsai said:

You need to verify the radiator fans are working in both low speed and high speed settings. Durametric can activate the fans to help you troubleshoot.

You can turn on the a/c and the fans should be on at low speed. Then put your hands on the ground about 1 foot right in front of each front wheel to feel the fans blowing.

As I recall the fans run at high speed when the AC is on.

[Ahsai]

1 hour ago, Loren said:

As I recall the fans run at high speed when the AC is on.

Um, I need to check but I think the fans are really loud when running at high speed and it definitely sounds louder than when the a/c is ON (and the coolant is not overly hot).

[Ahsai]

Ok I just checked on my '03 996. When I turned on my a/c, the radiator fans come on as LOW speed setting.