Normal operating temp??

I just purchased a Pre certified 2001 Cab about a month ago and really only have started driving it about a week (I live in MA). I've had to take it back to the dealer once for an expansion tank crack for the antifreeze - now I'm wondering if everything else is OK with the cooling system. When I'm driving around town or on the highway, the temp needle goes between the 180 - 215(the mark before the 250) hash marks - most of the time closer to the 215 than the 180 mark, but never to the 215 hash mark. The needle is close to pointing at 1:00PM if you look at it like a clock.... Is that the normal temperature the car should be running at? or is the car running a little bit on the hotter side? Thanks in advance, Will

Normally the needle on mine points straight up (12:00). Sometimes in slow traffic it creeps up a little, but comes back down to 12:00 when I get rolling again.

Seems like it's running a bit hot to me. I had an expansion tank leak in my 2001 they fixed it all up, no problems. If you check engine light doesn't blink or stay on you shouldn't have any problems. Just keep watching that needle if it creeps up bring it back. Rob

To lower your temperature you can install a factory center radiator from a GT3 (6 speed only).carnewal.com,it made a big difference on my 996.

Normally, the needle is at the right edge of 180. On track, in traffic on a hot day with the AC on, it will creep a bit past 180. Thats with the standard radiator system here in Ohio. You are running hotter. I'd check the radiator housing to make sure there is not a lot of debris. That area is notorious for accumulating dead leaves and what-not, impeding air flow and causing inefficient cooling. One trick is to get one of those cardboard tubes from kitchen towel rolls, flatten one end and attach the other to a vacuum, then shove it in there.

Palting, yours sound like it runs ultra cool - I have an 01 C2 and it runs almost identical to gnomes. Always above 180 (once warm) but never much above there. Usually in the 12:00 with occasions a little higher (I live in Austin TX). Never to the next marker. Is there a particular reason why Porsches run so cool. My 02 BMW M Coupe used to run 200-215 and 00 M Coupes would run 250+ on a hard run (the 99/00 models didn't have any oil cooler, the 01/02s did). C.

We're assuming that the temp gauge is accurately measuring the engine temp. Car gauges are notoriously inaccurate so we are left looking for relative changes in their readings (i.e. reading higher than normal). I wouldn't worry as long as your car runs well and the temp remain stable. OBTW, my temps run 180 no matter how hard I run my car.

I took Palting's advice and took at peek at the radiators in the front. Sure enough, a bunch of leaves, pineneedles etc...all wedged in the back corner of the housing...sucked it all out with a shopvac - took a 1/2 hr drive on the highway and in slow traffic and now the temp gauge is pretty much at 12:00!!!! I guess it was just blocking the airflow in there!!!! THanks again, Will

Glad it was that easy, Will. I know someone who found a dead squirrel in there .

Heres an expensive but attractive solution, the Speedlingerie bra, color matched of course, has screens that cover the two openings for the radiators. Once you install the bra, you'll never have another rock chip and no "stuff" will find its way into the radiators! For about $750.00 you get the bra and a set of mirror bras. It looks so much better than any other solution! Only downside, bra must be removed when you wash the car and/or if it gets wet.