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.

[MonsoonMally]

Hmm. Just had the same red flashing light immediately before a long journey (500 miles) on a very hot day with the car sat in bright sunlight.
Kept an eye on the oil temp, never seemed to go much above 80 (may have touched on 90) which I guess is acceptable for such a long journey. Light stays flahing now, even when I've let it the engine cool for a while, and immediately this would flag up to me 'low coolant level', which I will sort tomorrow.
Noe, on the subject of coolant, does it need to be 'special', as in my previous BMW, water would suffice, but I know thats not always the case with cars, indeed, maybe only limited to a few.....

[VGM911]

By all means, consult your owner's manual.

[Devincmdwn]

:troll::ah::dance::chicken:I have a 2002 Porsche Boxster. I recently purchased it about 3 months ago. The Red light at the right end of the water temperature gauge is blinking non stop pretty slowly. I've checked the fluids multiple times and under the carpet and saw nothing. So i took it to an import place and they say it's gonna cost 1k quid to ifx it and basically pull out the tank and ifx it so that the floaty in the tank which is supposedly broken, to be ifxed. Some people though have said to cut the sensor for that if i knew how, then just watch your gauges and fluids a lot like i already to. Another person said that i needed to check the top of the trunk when i pull it up to see if there is moisture where the small cluster is. there was. i wiped it down but it's consistently there. she said if i change the cap on the radiator fluid it'll keep it from over spilling up the top and onto the ceiling of the trunk and that would ifx this. I'm justt lost and confused. anyone pleases help me?

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Devincmdwn

:troll::ah::dance::chicken:I have a 2002 Porsche Boxster. I recently purchased it about 3 months ago. The Red light at the right end of the water temperature gauge is blinking non stop pretty slowly. I've checked the fluids multiple times and under the carpet and saw nothing. So i took it to an import place and they say it's gonna cost 1k quid to ifx it and basically pull out the tank and ifx it so that the floaty in the tank which is supposedly broken, to be ifxed. Some people though have said to cut the sensor for that if i knew how, then just watch your gauges and fluids a lot like i already to. Another person said that i needed to check the top of the trunk when i pull it up to see if there is moisture where the small cluster is. there was. i wiped it down but it's consistently there. she said if i change the cap on the radiator fluid it'll keep it from over spilling up the top and onto the ceiling of the trunk and that would ifx this. I'm justt lost and confused. anyone pleases help me?

First of all, don't go back to whomever told you that he needs to pull the tank to replace the level float; the level float removes from the bottom of the tank with it in place and does not even require draining the tank. A new level sensor should set you back about $40 at retail.

If you've seen condensation in your boot above the coolant cap area, get a new cap as the old one has lost its seal.

[jdraupp]

I'll add on to what JFP has said by I guess giving you somewhat of a reality check. If you think 1000 dollars is a lot for a repair, sell your car while you still have money in the bank.

That said, if you're going to spend money on having someone repair the car, you need to find a qualified and experienced Porsche mechanic, preferably someone who knows the water cooled modern Porsches well. If you take this car to just any garage you are setting yourself up for heartbreak.

Plan for 1-2k a year in repairs. Some years will be more some will be less.