smoke from passenger vent

[ultimate1]

I went out for a drive this morning and as I started to hear a rattling sound and someone told me that smoke was coming out of the passenger vent. The good thing is taht this started when I was about a half a mile from the house and when I got home I smelled antifreeze and smoke was coming out of the passenger vent. I looked under the car and I saw something had leaked out and that it was causing the smoke. The other thing is that the ABS light, Traction Control Warning light ( The one with the ! symbol on it) and I lost all power steering as I turned into my drive way.

I am waiting for the car to cool down and I welcome any thoughts on what this could be from.

Thanks in advance!

[husker boxster]

Not sure about Porsches but an antifreeze smell and smoke from the vent is generally a sign your heater core is shooting craps. Let's see what others think.

[jmatta]

I think he means the exterior vent on the passsenger side of the car. Perhaps the motor threw the belt?

[Lil bastard]

Definitely the belt, but with possible waterpump/power steering pump involvement.

Determine what is leaking - coolant or power steering fluid.

Before replacing the belt, be sure both ancillaries are turning freely.

My guess is that one of them, the waterpump or power steering pump siezed which caused the belt to wear through and break.

Waterpump is most likely cause as you still had power steering until you hit your driveway. If the bearing seized, the seal is on the same shaft and likely went as well explaining the leak.

BTW, how many miles?

[ultimate1]

Thanks a lot for the feedback, LilB.

I checked it this morning as the car was cold. I started her up and the coolant tank was empty. I poured in some fluids into the coolant tank it leaked out. Also the same warning lights are still lit. She is a base model year 2000 and I have about 89000 miles on her.

Is a major repair and what do you think this might cost. Is it a belt, the water pump and or the power steering pump. When you refer to the bearing is that the bearing on the water pump?

Also, any advice on finding a local shop with a trustworthy mechanic or tech would be of great help because the shop I usually take my car to is about an hour away and I don't want to risk any further damage by driving the car. I would do it myself if there is a peace written that gives directions on how to fix it. Provided it is a simple solution I might be wiilling to try it myself as I have very basic mechanical skills.

[Lil bastard]

Replacing the Waterpump and the belt is a very easy DIY.

You'll need a replacement belt, new or rebuilt waterpump (a rebuilt uses only the existing casting - all other parts, the shaft, bearing, seal and impeller are new), and a gasket. Tool requirements are minimum - 10mm socket, U-joint drive, 19mm socket, E-12 Torx Bit, Pliers.

The PN#s are:

Poly-Rib Belt - 996.102.151.64

Waterpump - 996.106.011.53

Gasket - 996.106.340.51

If you PM me an email addy, I'll send you the procedure as a WORD document.

[euroboxster79]

im having a similar problme i still have powersteering however but also have steam coming out only light that come on was the one on the temp guage the one that flashing when it gets too hot. Funny thing is that the temp guage said i was in the right temp but the light kept flashing till steam came out and antifreeze as well what does this sound like to u guys

[ultimate1]

Thanks ToolP and LilB for all of your help. I changed the water pump and replaced the serpentine belt with the help of a friend. I mixed porsche coolant and water to replace the coolant athat was lost and fired her up. The only problem is that almost all of the antifreeze leaked out and I the temp started to run above the normal 180 or so that is normal. I shut the car off and there was steam coming from the reservoir.

The hose that connected to the waterpump was a little worn and I had to special order it because almost everybody was out of stock. I have not gotten underneath her just yet but I am going to replace it as soon as it comes in in the next day or so. I could use any suggestions with regards to the car running hot and the steam from the reservoir. The fans in the front and rear are working fine and the thermostat looked alright.

Also, about how much coolant will I need?

[Lil bastard]

The rear fan is just an engine bay exhaust fan - does not cool the engine at all, it prevents heat build-up in the engine bay.

Steam from the reservoir could be a bad cap, an open Bleed valve or a cracked Reservoir (not to mention hoses, clamps, spillage, etc.).

Hope you used Distilled water and not Tap water to mix the coolant.

[Tool Pants]

Don't forget that when you fill the system with coolant after a water pump replacement you need to bleed the air out of the system. Remove the black plastic plate under the caps and you will see the metal lever for the bleed valve.

[ultimate1]

FOund the bleed valve is there any particular technique?