Sancho Posted October 10, 2017 Report Share Posted October 10, 2017 I've had my Boxster S for nearly four years now and only today noticed that the nearside one is different to the offside one. The nearside one has a fluted leading edge which sits a bit proud of the body work. The offside one has no fluted leading edge and sits completely flush with the body. I originally thought someone had pulled the nearside one out and then jammed it back in wrongly. I even went to Portsmouth OPC to see if they could refit it correctly. But their mechanic hadn't noticed this before and we went over to check another 986 on the forecourt. This had exactly the same arrangement with different grills on each side. So apparently this is normal. Why they are different I can't fathom. Anyone else noticed this on their 986? Or know why they are different? It's a bit trivial but it did intrigue me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sazzy Posted October 10, 2017 Report Share Posted October 10, 2017 I noticed this as soon as I got my car and was also thinking along the lines that it had been incorrectly fitted or replaced with the wrong type. It turns out that as the n/s is the intake vent, the fluted edge is supposed to help deflect rain away from being drawn in. The o/s vent is an outlet to help with cooling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon61 Posted October 10, 2017 Report Share Posted October 10, 2017 Yes, this change was brought in around MY2000; previously the vents had been the same on both sides. I first noticed it at the launch event for the 986S at Reading, as it was different to the 1998 986 I already owned then (although I think it had already by then made it to production base models). I asked one of the Porsche staff about it as I thought it was a glitch, but they had to go away and find the answer. Sazzy is correct that the two vents serve different purposes - so Porsche optimised the airflow and the extra lip is to achieve that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sancho Posted October 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2017 Thanks for that. Very interesting. I tend to worry about these little things so it is good to know everything okay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Topbox Posted October 11, 2017 Report Share Posted October 11, 2017 @Sancho next time you are back home straight after a run, place your hand down by each vent you will feel the heat streaming out the offside one and virtually nothing from the nearside! Are you aware your 986 has cupholders btw? ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason986S Posted October 11, 2017 Report Share Posted October 11, 2017 NS = air in to engine OS = air out of engine bay Cant say I’d noticed that they were different, but it makes sense! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southy Posted October 11, 2017 Report Share Posted October 11, 2017 58 minutes ago, Jason986S said: NS = air in to engine OS = air out of engine bay Cant say I’d noticed that they were different, but it makes sense! when I did the de-snorkel on mine I reattached the vent twice as I couldn't get it flush ? a quick Google stopped me going mad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sancho Posted October 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2017 Thanks you all friends. This forum is brilliant as there are so many members who know so much! Thanks especially to Topbox for the heads up on cup holders. My cup runneth over! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rowbos Posted October 11, 2017 Report Share Posted October 11, 2017 1 hour ago, Sancho said: My cup runneth over! It will if you drive enthusiastically... ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwdg Posted October 17, 2017 Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 I just got round to washing my car today, first time; and thought that one stuck out further. I was going to add it to my list of little things to go back and do. No need now. Thanks!!!! ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sancho Posted October 17, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 Thanks you all friends. This forum is brilliant as there are so many members who know so much! Thanks especially to Topbox for the heads up on cup holders. My cup runneth over! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sancho Posted October 17, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 No problem. Glad it was useful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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