At least looking in and feeling around the rads seem clear and very little came out. The bumper was off about 1.5 years ago for a respray.

Not that it's even the same fruit, but when I took my P!g out today it's water temp jumped fast just like the 996 did. It was reporting 183 at 1.5m and was at 200 around 3.5-4m which its normal temp. The oil temp was much slower to rise (as expected) and didn't reach 200 until about 10 miles. It's diesel vs gas and front vs rear so it's not the best comparison, but I'm a bit less concerned seeing the Cayenne behave in a similar manner.

I'll order a new cap though. It's cheap, easy, and a known problem point. Silly not to go ahead and replace it if there is any question.

 

Were you able to feel and look between the air conditioner rad and water rad? If so please tell us how, because taking the bumper cover off is a pain.

 

Nope, just what I could see/feel with the bumper on. I am planning to get back out there this week with my USB scope to get a better look though.

Aren't the rads in that pic sandwiched together? If so how would that much stuff get between them?

 

There's a gap of about 20mm between the radiator and the condenser which allows the debris caught in the bumper ducts to be forced between them by the onrushing air.
Its not a difficult job to remove / reinstall he bumper - especially considering the negative of having 5lb of crap reducing the cooling air flow....

 

Scope didn't really help as the head was too big to manipulate in there. I did bend up a coat hanger which allowed me to get up between the rads a bit and I did get a bit more junk out, but not much. I expect there is more up there, but what I got didn't feel packed in so I don't expect that it's too terrible.

Checked the Cayenne while I was out there and found its a good crap magnet too, but the grill is tight enough that I can't get my arm in there at all. That bumper is a royal PITA to remove too