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Some cooling system questions - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

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3 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW

Discussion summary

YOUR RESEARCHSome cooling system questions - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Reported or suspected cause

defective (first installed and measured in situ

Reported cause

No successful repair reported for this finding.

1
Identified cause
0
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context

Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.

Discussions that report identifying a cause
1

0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.

0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.

Reported cause · Original poster

The Wahler proved to be defective (first installed and measured in situ, then did a stovetop test), and it wouldn't start to open until 180-185, awaiting a replacement.

Some cooling system questions - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners
Frequently discussed work

Fill system

No successful repair reported for this finding.

0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
Discussions that contain suggestions
1

0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.

0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.

Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster

I filled the system using the vacuum/evacuation/suction method.

Some cooling system questions - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Suggestion · Original poster

When I evacuated and then vacuum pull filled the system to flush it, I only got about 4 gallons out and just about the same back in; as the spec is more around 5 gallons, do I have some residual coolant hiding somewhere (and maybe also some air?)?

Some cooling system questions - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners
Read full discussion summary

Leading evidence: 'defective (first installed and measured in situ' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'defective (first installed and measured in situ' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Fill system' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.

Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.

Read captured replies

1 matching discussions · 3 captured posts examined · 0 partial discussions

Compare 4 other evidence results

Fill system

Performed · outcome unconfirmed

No successful repair reported for this finding.

0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context

Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.

Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
Discussions that contain suggestions
1

0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.

0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.

Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster

I filled the system using the vacuum/evacuation/suction method.

Some cooling system questions - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Suggestion · Original poster

When I evacuated and then vacuum pull filled the system to flush it, I only got about 4 gallons out and just about the same back in; as the spec is more around 5 gallons, do I have some residual coolant hiding somewhere (and maybe also some air?)?

Some cooling system questions - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Replace serpentine and will

Performed · outcome unconfirmed

No successful repair reported for this finding.

0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context

Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.

Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1

0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.

0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.

Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster

Also replaced the serpentine and will replace the tensioner pulley (awaiting delivery) as it is not turning totally frictionlessly.

Some cooling system questions - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Replace with a pierburg pump and wahler low temp thermostat

Performed · outcome unconfirmed

No successful repair reported for this finding.

0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context

Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.

Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1

0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.

0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.

Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster

Replaced with a Pierburg pump and Wahler low temp thermostat.

Some cooling system questions - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Run car (without thermostat)

Suggestion or failed attempt

No successful repair reported for this finding.

0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context

Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.

Discussions that contain suggestions
1

0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.

0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.

Suggestion · Original poster

When I first filled the system with water+flush, I could've sworn that the fans kicked in at about 190 when the car was on jackstands, I have since run the car (without thermostat) on the road, getting the coolant up to right at 200 (OBDII measured) with no fan action.

Some cooling system questions - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners
Frequently discussed actions (7)

These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.

Fill system

No successful repair reported for this finding.

0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
Discussions that contain suggestions
1

0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.

0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.

Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster

I filled the system using the vacuum/evacuation/suction method.

Some cooling system questions - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Suggestion · Original poster

When I evacuated and then vacuum pull filled the system to flush it, I only got about 4 gallons out and just about the same back in; as the spec is more around 5 gallons, do I have some residual coolant hiding somewhere (and maybe also some air?)?

Some cooling system questions - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Replace serpentine and will

No successful repair reported for this finding.

0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1

0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.

0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.

Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster

Also replaced the serpentine and will replace the tensioner pulley (awaiting delivery) as it is not turning totally frictionlessly.

Some cooling system questions - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Replace with a pierburg pump and wahler low temp thermostat

No successful repair reported for this finding.

0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1

0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.

0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.

Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster

Replaced with a Pierburg pump and Wahler low temp thermostat.

Some cooling system questions - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Run car (without thermostat)

No successful repair reported for this finding.

0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that contain suggestions
1

0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.

0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.

Suggestion · Original poster

When I first filled the system with water+flush, I could've sworn that the fans kicked in at about 190 when the car was on jackstands, I have since run the car (without thermostat) on the road, getting the coolant up to right at 200 (OBDII measured) with no fan action.

Some cooling system questions - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Run some coolant flush thru the system

No successful repair reported for this finding.

0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that contain suggestions
1

0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.

0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.

Suggestion · Original poster

In the meantime, I removed the 180 degree thermostat from the original housing and reinstalled the housing sans thermostat in order to run some coolant flush thru the system for a while.

Some cooling system questions - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Test ), and it wouldn't start

No successful repair reported for this finding.

0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that contain suggestions
1

0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.

0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.

Suggestion · Original poster

The Wahler proved to be defective (first installed and measured in situ, then did a stovetop test), and it wouldn't start to open until 180-185, awaiting a replacement.

Some cooling system questions - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Use vacuum/evacuation/suction method

No successful repair reported for this finding.

0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that contain suggestions
1

0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.

0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.

Suggestion · Original poster

I filled the system using the vacuum/evacuation/suction method.

Some cooling system questions - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners
Reported and suspected causes (1)

These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.

defective (first installed and measured in situ

No successful repair reported for this finding.

1
Identified cause
0
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
Discussions that report identifying a cause
1

0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.

0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.

Reported cause · Original poster

The Wahler proved to be defective (first installed and measured in situ, then did a stovetop test), and it wouldn't start to open until 180-185, awaiting a replacement.

Some cooling system questions - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners
Coverage and how to read this overview

Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.

3 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.

  • 986Forum: 1 discussions

0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.

0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.

Generation: 20261026T113718Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources

POST 1 / ORIGINAL POSTEROriginal post

My water pump recently failed (never had a bearing on a water pump fail this aggressively: it was really loose). Replaced with a Pierburg pump and Wahler low temp thermostat. The Wahler proved to be defective (first installed and measured in situ, then did a stovetop test), and it wouldn't start to open until 180-185, awaiting a replacement. Also replaced the serpentine and will replace the tensioner pulley (awaiting delivery) as it is not turning totally frictionlessly. In the meantime, I removed the 180 degree thermostat from the original housing and reinstalled the housing sans thermostat in order to run some coolant flush thru the system for a while. I filled the system using the vacuum/evacuation/suction method. So some questions: 1. When I evacuated and then vacuum pull filled the system to flush it, I only got about 4 gallons out and just about the same back in; as the spec is more around 5 gallons, do I have some residual coolant hiding somewhere (and maybe also some air?)? I did the complete step-by-step draining process: removed drain plug, pulled all the appropriate hoses with the car level on jackstands, turned on the heater to drain the core, etc. 2. When I first filled the system with water+flush, I could've sworn that the fans kicked in at about 190 when the car was on jackstands, I have since run the car (without thermostat) on the road, getting the coolant up to right at 200 (OBDII measured) with no fan action. Do I have a fan, resistor or some other issue? 3. My new thermostat (a Motorad low time this time) hasn't arrived yet, so is it OK to leave the flush (Prestone yellow bottle) in the system for a couple of days? Thanks in advance for any insight.

POST 2Original post

When I did my thermostat recently, I found I had to get car tilted nose-up several degrees in order to get all the fluid out of the front end. A lot (more than a quart, less than a gallon) was hiding in the radiators/hoses as well. (2002 3.2L, so has a center radiator).

POST 3Original post

I just had my water pump changed and thermostat, mechanic told me i would probably have to top off next day when it cooled. And it was low, got the low fluid blinking light took maybe 2 liters to top it off.

This is a source reference. Confirm exact model applicability in the original material.