Tycho Posted February 26, 2021 Report Share Posted February 26, 2021 Just done a shopping and fuel run. I left the car running on my drive while I was cleaning and refitting the mats plus general faffing around. I went out about an hour later I noticed a coolant leak under the car. It looks like it is from driver's side front and/or approximately under the coolant tank in the boot. I remember that the temperature reading while stationary had moved up from its usual just over 80 to closer to 90. I have checked under the boot carpet and all is dry there. The coolant level may have dropped a little but it does not look much compared to what's on the drive. The coolant cap has been replaced recently. Is this a cracked coolant tank or any other suggestions? (I have tried to search the forum but without success) Thanks Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulQ Posted February 26, 2021 Report Share Posted February 26, 2021 If the puddle on the ground is in front of the offside rear wheel, then check the bleed valve on top of the coolant tank. Remove the oil and water caps, lift out the plastic cover, and see if its wet in there. Heavy condensation on the underside of the boot lid is another sign. Could also possibly be water pump depending on where puddle is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red rocket Posted February 27, 2021 Report Share Posted February 27, 2021 Not sure whether the 986 suffers same issue as 987 but if so, could just need a new coolant cap (latest version). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tycho Posted February 27, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2021 Checked the bleed valve this morning, looked dry but there was a little dampness on top of the tank under the cover. I fitted a new (04) cap at the end of the last year as I thought coolant level was dropping a little (nothing underneath) and the car was still on its original 00 cap. No apparent leaks overnight & bottom of boot is dry. I have tightened the cap as it might not have been on tight enough - I have got knackered arms from an old bike accident! I will take it out for a run (shopping) next week & let it idle on return to get the temperature up. I fitted grilles behind the front intakes last month, don’t think that this can be connected as the temperature did not get that high. Thanks for the help Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulQ Posted February 27, 2021 Report Share Posted February 27, 2021 Yes, the cap needs to be pretty tight.! If the cars just sat there running with no airflow over the rads, the temp will reach over 100 degrees eventually before the fans kick in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul P Posted February 27, 2021 Report Share Posted February 27, 2021 No 1st hand knowledge but if the leak is in that area then it could be a split coolant tank. From memory of reading they can fracture in such a way as that they only leak under pressure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
½cwt Posted February 27, 2021 Report Share Posted February 27, 2021 I had this after my service last year. The indy hadn't tightened the coolant cap 🤬. Once topped off and the cap tightened up properly it ahs not lost a drip since. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the baron Posted February 28, 2021 Report Share Posted February 28, 2021 Check in the boot and lift up the wood panels rather than just the carpet to look at the actual metal body and look for coolant, if you have signs of coolant leak it’s a split expansion tank, very common on older 986’s, you can replace it yourself, i did, its a real PITA job and will take you a good half day to do unless you have help. If it is the expansion tank then buy from OPC it’s about £200 inc membership discount, don’t risk buying a second hand one as you really don’t want to have to repeat this job in a few months. A good indie with charge £6-800 an OPC around £1200 if you are not mechanically minded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ninesomething Posted February 28, 2021 Report Share Posted February 28, 2021 Is the 987 coolant cap prone to leaking? Saw a couple of spots of coolant around the filler the other day. Might be time for a new one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red rocket Posted February 28, 2021 Report Share Posted February 28, 2021 5 hours ago, JonSta said: Is the 987 coolant cap prone to leaking? Saw a couple of spots of coolant around the filler the other day. Might be time for a new one. Yes, happened on mine last year; dumped a load of coolant on the road. Easy fix though, just get the latest cap with part no ending 04. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tycho Posted February 28, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2021 I started moving the carpet & trim in the boot this morning but got called up for gardening duties – great weather up here. Removing the trim around the tank certainly gives a much better view. I wasn’t planning to buy a second hand or far eastern tank but have seen new Febi branded items on eBay for £105 – I will check Porsche tomorrow but guess they will be a lot more. Autodoc also have a selection of tanks from German manufacturers under £200. I know Febi is an OEM supplier, has anyone used their tanks? I have seen posts on American forums with methods for replacement in 2 hours – will have to speak to my mechanic mate. Next step tomorrow is getting it hot & see what happens. Thanks for the suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tycho Posted March 1, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2021 Further investigations: as above I further tightened the cap then took the car out & tried to repeat the previous circumstances. Did some shopping, got the engine well warmed then let it idle on the drive. Temperature well up to around 90C & fans operating. Result – no leaks at all, nothing under the car and nothing visible behind the carpet and below the tank in the boot. Could this just have been the cap not being on tight enough? There was not a lot of coolant underneath & no warning lights. The car is going in to have a window regulator problem fixed in a couple of weeks, would a pressure test be any help? I am hoping that it was just the cap, I got a price for a tank from my local OPC this morning - £260 incl. VAT but pre discount, so almost double the Febi one on the net. Thanks again for the help & any further ideas gratefully accepted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
½cwt Posted March 1, 2021 Report Share Posted March 1, 2021 2 hours ago, Tycho said: Further investigations: as above I further tightened the cap then took the car out & tried to repeat the previous circumstances. Did some shopping, got the engine well warmed then let it idle on the drive. Temperature well up to around 90C & fans operating. Result – no leaks at all, nothing under the car and nothing visible behind the carpet and below the tank in the boot. Could this just have been the cap not being on tight enough? There was not a lot of coolant underneath & no warning lights. The car is going in to have a window regulator problem fixed in a couple of weeks, would a pressure test be any help? I am hoping that it was just the cap, I got a price for a tank from my local OPC this morning - £260 incl. VAT but pre discount, so almost double the Febi one on the net. Thanks again for the help & any further ideas gratefully accepted. Cap not tight or not a .04 cap = coolant loss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tycho Posted March 1, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 1, 2021 I fitted a 04 cap in October, it was still on the 00 original. Hoping this is down to my puny arms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazymind Posted March 1, 2021 Report Share Posted March 1, 2021 Been there last week. Coolant leak at the front and rear. Pressure tested cooling system and found 2 leaking points. It turns out 2 of the clips are very rusty and they don’t hold the hose in place properly. I have removed them, replaced the clips and pressure tested again. All good now. 50p repair and couple of hours spent to find the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
½cwt Posted March 1, 2021 Report Share Posted March 1, 2021 1 hour ago, Crazymind said: Been there last week. Coolant leak at the front and rear. Pressure tested cooling system and found 2 leaking points. It turns out 2 of the clips are very rusty and they don’t hold the hose in place properly. I have removed them, replaced the clips and pressure tested again. All good now. 50p repair and couple of hours spent to find the problem. If not the cap, this too on these older cars. At least the clips are cheaper than the fabricated swaged on metal joints on a 987.... they must have looked great new but cost north of £500 to change as it needs a chunk of labour due to a sub-frame drop... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tycho Posted March 2, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 15 hours ago, Crazymind said: Been there last week. Coolant leak at the front and rear. Pressure tested cooling system and found 2 leaking points. It turns out 2 of the clips are very rusty and they don’t hold the hose in place properly. I have removed them, replaced the clips and pressure tested again. All good now. 50p repair and couple of hours spent to find the problem. I thought I might have a small leak up front too, so that sounds promising. Where were your problem clips located? that will give us a starting point when work starts. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tycho Posted March 2, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 Another thought. I know that some 996 owners fit low temperature thermostats to reduce localised overheating problems. Is this modification used in Boxsters too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazymind Posted March 2, 2021 Report Share Posted March 2, 2021 8 hours ago, Tycho said: I thought I might have a small leak up front too, so that sounds promising. Where were your problem clips located? that will give us a starting point when work starts. Thanks Just follow the line! You won’t miss the clips! There are 55 clips all the way to the back 😳😳😳 Luckily the front clip was just behind the driver side front wheel. bit of nightmare the back clip which was the one connecting the rear cooling tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tycho Posted March 3, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2021 Thanks - I will see what my friend can find when he gets it up on his ramps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.