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This is a separate thread to focus on the discussion regarding mod to protect front cooling fans from being damaged by small debris that work through the wheel-well vent opening (louvered area just in front of front tires).
This discussion started within the thread DIY 991 Radiator Grill Installation. However the current thread is NOT the same as placing mesh materials over the front bumper cover airduct openings to prevent debris from hitting the radiators, etc. The issue here is from the opposite side, from within the wheel-well.
Some members have posted that they've experienced failure of front fans due to small rocks making way through the louvers found in the front-part of the tub liners.
A fix might be to install a small piece of mesh material over the louvers to prevent the issue.
To make it clear what louvers / slats we are discussing here.... Couple of pics.
The wheel-well black plastic liner in the front left wheel:
A closer look at the area where small rocks can work through and damage/jam the cooling fan:
The only way to install a screen or mesh that would prevent debri from entering this area would be to remove the wheel, then pull-down the plastic liner. I doubt installing a screen or something on the wheel-well surface area over the vent would work very well -- certainly wouldn't look right in my book!
I don't have time to do anything about this right now.... I'll get to it eventually and revive this thread. I guess an alternative might be to see if Porsche factory has made a modification, and whether it is something that can be retro'd to the 991 (in my case a 4S variant). Can't imagine what a wheel tub liner costs though!
To make it clear what louvers / slats we are discussing here.... Couple of pics. The wheel-well black plastic liner in the front left wheel: A closer look at the area where small rocks can work through and damage/jam the cooling fan: The only way to install a screen or mesh that would prevent debri from entering this area would be to remove the wheel, then pull-down the plastic liner. I doubt installing a screen or something on the wheel-well surface area over the vent would work very well -- certainly wouldn't look right in my book! I don't have time to do anything about this right now.... I'll get to it eventually and revive this thread. I guess an alternative might be to see if Porsche factory has made a modification, and whether it is something that can be retro'd to the 991 (in my case a 4S variant). Can't imagine what a wheel tub liner costs though!
After having witnessed the process of removing and installing a damaged cooling fan, I am not convinced that the gravel or road debris is making its way to the cooling fan from these slats. It just does not make sense to me. It would seem that tire rotation would throw any stones to the back of the car. Maybe some stragglers could make it to the top of the wheel well, but to be thrown into the front makes no sense. I wonder if the stones make their way to the fan from underneath after passing through the front grill. From what I am hearing, PCNA is replacing these fans frequently.
After having witnessed the process of removing and installing a damaged cooling fan, I am not convinced that the gravel or road debris is making its way to the cooling fan from these slats. It just does not make sense to me. It would seem that tire rotation would throw any stones to the back of the car. Maybe some stragglers could make it to the top of the wheel well, but to be thrown into the front makes no sense. I wonder if the stones make their way to the fan from underneath after passing through the front grill. From what I am hearing, PCNA is replacing these fans frequently.
Frank C.
Don't disagree with you really. Just going off of what my SA told me the service dept has experienced, and members of this board. Also if you look at the radiator assy from the other side it doesn't appear there is any way for rocks to get past to the fan which is behind it at all. So somehow they are, and getting stuck in the fan.
And regarding the wheel rotation- disagree completely. It is possible. Especially at lower forward speeds. The tires are sticky and small rocks travel off the top as it turns flinging forwards. They aren't just flinging to the rear...
I have gone through 2 sets of new fans because of this very issue. Do you know of any after market screens that I can purchase to mitigate this issue? Thanks for any help.
I have gone through 2 sets of new fans because of this very issue. Do you know of any after market screens that I can purchase to mitigate this issue? Thanks for any help.
I don't believe there are any after market mods to protect the radiator fans. It should not be too difficult fabricate a covering screen, I suggest that you take a look at https://www.customcargrills.com. The only suggestion that I have is to use a high flow screen with at least 75%, that has very small openings. In addition, make it a total project and install Rennline radiator protection screens. Doing both will bullet proof your cooling system from foreign objects.
09-04-2014 | 10:44 AM
