Engine temp/temp guage

Was stuck in a mamoth traffic jam today, about 1.5hrs! Time was around 4 - 530EST on good old I285 around Atlanta! The temp guage normally reads just a hair above the 180 mark. During all the idel time it moved about a third of the way between the 1980 mark and the next mark over (the unnembered mark). First time I've ever noticed it. Engine seemed to be running ok. Anyone have similar experiences?? Best Regards Les.

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Yes. Well a simlar experience in my 02 Boxster several times in high ambient heat. In one case I was monitoring coolant temp and it climbed to 226F and stayed there for some time. Intake air temp was 135F and ambient air temp was 116F. But the car never exhibited any signs of trouble and I was told later when I checked with the dealer on this that as long as no warning lights came on the engine suffered not one whit from the heat. The radiator fans were probably on high for some time though and I know the engine compartment fan was running all the time. Oh, in the Turbo I did get in heavy stop/go holiday traffic going up highway 50 from Sacramento to S. Lake Tahoe one July 3 on a hot (nearly 100F) day and the car behaved just fine but the idle speed climbed to around 1K. I guess the DME speeded up the idle to circulate more coolant. The coolant gage needle though didn't move much. The gage in heavily dampened though so that is the expected behavior. Just a couple of things. Be sure the coolant level is ok. the cap can leak and over time the system can get low on coolant. If the system has a leak this can allow pressure to drop and this can lead to local overheating. The system must be pressure tight. Be sure the radiator ducts are clear of any trash. To do this right the bumper cover has to be removed and the A/C condensor unbolted and gently swung out the way to get the stuff that collects between the condensor and radiator. These are tough cars and can withstand high ambient temps (heck I've had them in temps up to 119F) and at high speed or in stop/go traffic with no problems *provided* the cooling system is in good working order. I sure got a refresher on that hot July day how important this is as I passed many a car, and not junkers either but fairly nice cars, on the side of the highway suffering from the effects of overheating. What a miserable July holiday weekend the drivers of those cars and their families had. Sincerely, Macster.

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Thanks Macster. Ambient temp on my event today though was probably only in th elow 70's. However, this is the first time I've been in such a gawd-awful traffic jam in the car, so in retrospect the action of the temp guage might be typical for the car I guess!!?? I will double check the coolant level etc.....thanks for the help. Best Regards Les.

Last week, I took a ride up north. Climbing from the desert floor in 95 degree weather and cruising at +75mph, I figured my engine would run a little hotter. Not only was I wrong, but it ran cooler than normal. And this included some very steep grades. These cars have great cooling systems.

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In both my Boxster and Turbo (and in other cars before these) I've made the climb from the CA/AZ state line in I-40 starting out at around 600 feet ending up just west of Flagstaff at over 7700 feet and in hot weather, triple digits at the state line dropping maybe 20F by the time I get to Flagstaff and none of my cars has exhibited any signs of heat (or any other) distress. The drive consists of crusing at 75mph though I have to slow down sometimes when coming upon traffic slowed by the grade but when the opportunity presents itself I do not think twice about the heat or the engine but push the gas pedal down and let the engine do what it was designed to do. Another hot section is that section between Bakersfield and Needles with that 140 miles section between Barstow and Needles being sometimes the worst with the various passes, slower traffic, and often high ambient temps. Also, since that is a long 140 miles between Barstow and Needles I try to make as good as time as I can which means, well, you know. Sincerely, Macster.

You guys haven't a clue what hot can be! When I had a 1977 911S with thermal reactors and no additional engine oil cooler I was doomed to having heat issues, particularly after adding air conditioning. With all of these things going on I recall times when my oil temperature was in excess of 325�F in central Oklahoma! By contrast, these water-cooled Porsches are a wonder of engineering! Even on the hottest days they have been well protected. Never forget that Porsche has been testing these cars in the African deserts for decades. They're not doing that simply for good public relations!