Oil Temperature Gauge Light Blinking

[joshua6060]

2001 Porsche Boxster 2.7L Tiptronic Trans

I just pulled up at work and I noticed a little read light blinking on my dash board on the oil temperature gauge. Any ideas? The oil temp appears to be normal and right where it always is after having driven the car. Any ideas on what could cause this?

We don't have an oil temp gauge. Do you mean water temp? Blinking I think means add a little fluid/water.

Blinking might also mean that the fan is not coming on. Check your owner's manual.

[joshua6060]

I think I heard the fan kick on and off a few times, when I was sitting in line at the bank with the windows down......

Do I add just straight water or does it need to be a mix of coolant and water?

Well, check you overflow container. Is it leaking? Pull up the carpet and look there too. If you add just water, it needs to be distilled water. You are OK to add just water if it only needs to be topped-off. If more is required, you need to add a mixture of water and coolant. You need to use the correct coolant too. Do a search for coolant.

[joshua6060]

I just went to check my car and there is a pool of engine coolant on the ground underneath my car.

[AUDIOGUY]

Sounds like the coolant tank crack deal. I had the same thing happen. I would first top off the coolant with the proper mixture. If this turns the blinking light out, that is a good thing it may be just low. Considering you have a puddle of coolant, I am leaning more towards the tank needing replacement.

This will set you back about 700 to 800 bucks with parts and labor.

Best of luck!

[RandallNeighbour]

It could just be a hose clamp. Porsche used really crappy plastic ones and they become brittle over time.

The overflow tank crack usually puts some coolant in the rear trunk under the decking too.

I hope it's just a hose clamp or a hose. MUCH cheaper.

[Jaxonalden]

Wow, a flashing oil temp idiot light means low coolant level? That's a new one I have to put in my troubleshooting notes. If the coolant was low, in this case leaking and not allowing the coolant system to pressurize, the water temp would be above normal also. If the oil temp light was accurate I would say; 1. Check the oil level. 2. Check the electric connection at the temp sensor. 3. Check if the oil temp is actually high when the lights on (diagnostics). 4. Insure the oil cooler has coolant running through it (this might be where your coolant leak is coming from).

Please keep us informed as to the fix.

I just reread your post, you said " I noticed a little red light blinking on my dash board on the oil temperature gauge". I went out and looked at my car, are you talking about the coolant light blinking? That's water temp not oil. I believe the light is for overheat and if the gauge is reading fine it must be the sending unit for the light.

[joshua6060]

Yes, I the coolant light. Its currently at a lot shop waiting for an estimate, along with a price for a possible wheel bearing........I will let yall know when I get the bad news....

[Jaxonalden]

Hey bro, think positive. The light sounds like a short in the indicating system, if the temp says its OK, drive it until the light is fixed.

[Lil bastard]

My bet is the waterpump, though it could well be the reservoir.

[joshua6060]

the coolant all over the parking lot tells me that the car needed to go to the shop.......i'm still waiting to hear from them....didn't bring it to a Stealership, took it to one of the locals Porsche guys http://www.greffmotors.com

[joshua6060]

OK guys, the bad news is in

According to the shop, the Water Pump needs to be changed at a price of $1,060 (and an additional $680 for a bad wheel bearing) Does this sound reasonable?

They are also telling me I need to have a Transmission Service done for $420 (the car has 72,000 miles on it (tiptronic) and i'm not really a crazy hard driver and haven't really noticed any tranmission issues)

Comments Please

So were did the coolant come from?

A trans service would basically be a fluid change.

[joshua6060]

I'm sorry, I meant water pump.

Joshua, you can buy a new Porsche water pump for $200:

http://e-partssales.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=P&Product_Code=99610634054and99610601155&Category_Code=986Cooling

[joshua6060]

ok, he said he was changing the water pump and all of the rollers, whatever that means, i am not very familiar with the workings of the water pump so i wouldn't try to change it myself,

so are you saying that his price on the labor is too high?

[Lil bastard]

What usually happens to the waterpump is that the shaft bearing goes and takes the seal with it allowing the coolant to flow out - it's at one of the low points in the system.

The Tiptronic Tranny Fluid Change should also be a Filter change (if more than 45k mi.). This involves Fluid, Gasket and Filter. Check my DIY in the DIY section - this can be done pretty easily for under $300, incl. Parts, Fluid and tools. Tranny Fluid can burn and if the Tech smells a burnt smell, they'll recommend a fluid change and rightly so.

[Lil bastard]

Originally Posted by joshua6060

ok, he said he was changing the water pump and all of the rollers, whatever that means, i am not very familiar with the workings of the water pump so i wouldn't try to change it myself,

so are you saying that his price on the labor is too high?

Rollers... ??? NEVER heard of those with a Waterpump and there aren't ANY in the Porsche Pump. Price is very high to me, but I do my own work so I'm not the best judge, but maybe $225-250 in parts and supplies. Usually that's 1/3 of the total cost, so s/b more like $750 from a shop.