Aramis76

Hello all!

New owner of a 2010 Cayman.

I'm getting to know Porsche as this is my first but so far I love it!

I searched around but can't find a definitive answer so i'm posting.

Is the engine compartment fan constantly on while driving? Or is there natural airflow from the vents and the fan only comes on when needed?

I'm sure i'll have tons of questions later, and rest assured I prefer using the search function when possible!

Thanks!

Marc from Quebec, Canada

extanker

mine does not run all the time while driving...........09

Aramis76

How can you tell? I can't hear it while driving.

extanker

i'm gonna bet u will have a whole bunch of questions in the future.....is this by chance your first car ?

Aramis76

Not at all, but it is the first mid-engine where you can't tell much of what happens.

DaveCarrera4

Not sure if it is always on, but parked after a hard drive key switched off, mine is off then comes on with the key in the ignition.

Aramis76

I've observed the same thing Dave. But while the car is running i can't hear it.

That's why i'm wondering if it's always on and we can't tell or if there's air flowing naturally in the compartment during "regular" driving.

Obviously when you turn off the engine, the fan would turn off (if it was on) and then turn back on if needed.

So the question remains!!!

DaveCarrera4

Well this begs the question, what is the easiest way to tell if the fan is running while driving? Maybe with a Durametric in the car during a drive?

mikew968

I believe it is engine compartment temp related.

Aramis76

You're absolutely right Mikew968, but i'm wondering if, let's say, highway speeds cause enough airflow or if the fan is absolutely needed in all cases.

Obviously in traffic and low speeds, if the temps reach that point, the fan comes on, but what about going down the highway at 50+ mph?

Spokayman

The fan only comes on when engine and engine compartment temps rise to a certain level and (in the 987 generation at least) the fan is on the right side of the car only.
You should be able to hear the fan with the passenger window open if you are stopped next to a wall or other sound reflecting surface. I also hear it when someone opens the passenger door.

Aramis76

Thanks Spokayman, but my question remains. Does the fan "need" to turn on at highway speed?

I'm not looking to modify anything, just trying to understand how it's been engineered.
Let's say you spend 3 hours at highway speed. Does the fan cycle on and off or is there sufficient airflow to not need the fan during that period.

Frank 993 C4S

No it does not need to turn on at highway speeds.

Aramis76

Thanks Frank!