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mylamb · 06-01-2009, 10:15 AM

Does coolant combustion always mean you'll need a "new engine?" I have had a gradually increasing coolant loss for a while now. I had it looked at twice with no diagnosis. Then 2 months ago, at a dealer clinic, we spotted a small external leak. The dealer replaced the coolant reservoir & a hose. That did not stop the loss. They found oil in the coolant but no coolant in the oil and flushed the whole system. They also pulled the plugs and found no problems with the head or combustions chambers. Yet, coolant needs to be topped off once per week. I occasionally (once every 2-3 weeks) get a puff of white smoke on start up or under WOT near redline.

There is never coolant on the ground or garage. I have never had the temp creep above the mid-range. I try to use the official pink coolant to top it off rather than water. The dealer said that if it's not leaking outside, and they checked the oil (and changed it) a couple of times then it is somehow getting into a combustion chamber and being burned off. There's really nothing they can do except wait for the problem to become more noticeable (I am not losing power) or wait for something to break. To do a teardown to look for the cause would be cost prohibitive (their words.) Is this some type of porous block? Is it possible that the engine has worn a hole in itself and is allowing oil & coolant to mix? Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. I prefer not to be stranded or left with a dead car. I do have an aftermarket warranty but I would rather catch this than be forced to rely on their mercy.

2001 Boxster S
No mods
58,000 miles
Always serviced by dealer or P specialist.

06-01-2009, 10:15 AM	#1
mylamb Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 137	Coolant combustion Does coolant combustion always mean you'll need a "new engine?" I have had a gradually increasing coolant loss for a while now. I had it looked at twice with no diagnosis. Then 2 months ago, at a dealer clinic, we spotted a small external leak. The dealer replaced the coolant reservoir & a hose. That did not stop the loss. They found oil in the coolant but no coolant in the oil and flushed the whole system. They also pulled the plugs and found no problems with the head or combustions chambers. Yet, coolant needs to be topped off once per week. I occasionally (once every 2-3 weeks) get a puff of white smoke on start up or under WOT near redline. There is never coolant on the ground or garage. I have never had the temp creep above the mid-range. I try to use the official pink coolant to top it off rather than water. The dealer said that if it's not leaking outside, and they checked the oil (and changed it) a couple of times then it is somehow getting into a combustion chamber and being burned off. There's really nothing they can do except wait for the problem to become more noticeable (I am not losing power) or wait for something to break. To do a teardown to look for the cause would be cost prohibitive (their words.) Is this some type of porous block? Is it possible that the engine has worn a hole in itself and is allowing oil & coolant to mix? Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. I prefer not to be stranded or left with a dead car. I do have an aftermarket warranty but I would rather catch this than be forced to rely on their mercy. 2001 Boxster S No mods 58,000 miles Always serviced by dealer or P specialist. __________________ http://farm1.static.flickr.com/169/4...c84611da_m.jpg Induction howl is easily worth the cost of admission... 2001 Boxster S Arctic Silver /Black interior Desnorkled then REsnorkled (planning on Revo flash & prob B&B Exhaust)