09-30-2008, 11:15 AM
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Arizona
Posts: 402
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Question about coolant leak
About a week ago I saw the CEL come on, and decided to do some checks of my own. I found that the coolant was low, and I filled it up and then after a few days I decided to start usign my Boxster. The CEL stopped showing that day.
Now, using deduction, I can only say that the CEL was on because of low coolant. But if it isn't on I can't get the code to fix it, since I dont know exactly where the leak is at.
What should I do, I want to get the leak fixed because the coolant is draining quite fast (I got 1/4 of the tank empty is about a week or so).
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09-30-2008, 01:55 PM
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#2
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There Is No Substitute.
Join Date: May 2007
Location: West Coast
Posts: 3,253
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Do you see the coolant leaking?
If you topped off the coolant all the way, it could have expanded and leaked through the overflow. If this is the case, when the coolant went back to room temp it would appear to be lower. I would let it sit and see if the level has changed after a few more days. 
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1999 Ocean Blue Metallic Boxster - blueboxster.com
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09-30-2008, 03:26 PM
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Virginia
Posts: 256
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CEL for low coolant? Humm, the light blinks in the temp gauge when the coolant is low. Check your trunk, the coolant may be trapped under the carpet. If you're leaking, you have a cracked tank, blown hose, bad cap, etc, etc....
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'06 Cayman 'S' - Sold (Sport Chrono, PASM, TPMS, 19' CAS Wheels, NAV)
'06 Cayenne - Sold
'01 Boxster 'S' - Sold
'00 Boxster - Sold
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09-30-2008, 03:56 PM
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Oklahoma City
Posts: 1,209
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Damn bro, that picture makes me want to pee. :dance:
__________________
Sadly on the outside looking in.
"Drive it like the Doctor ordered"
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09-30-2008, 03:59 PM
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#5
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There Is No Substitute.
Join Date: May 2007
Location: West Coast
Posts: 3,253
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It could of course also be a cracked tank, which is a fairly common problem. There are a few DIY, and it costs a few hundred to fix. You can check by just feeling the trunk carpet, and looking for white dust/crystals. The coolant is made to leave behind a residue so you can track it.
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1999 Ocean Blue Metallic Boxster - blueboxster.com
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09-30-2008, 06:56 PM
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Du Monde
Posts: 2,199
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Unfortunately, your CEL is most likely independent of the low coolant level.
You can go to AutoZone and they'll pull the codes for you, or you can buy a generic code scanner - I have an Actron 9125 scanner which retails for $70, but I found mine for $50 on Amazon - http://www.actron.com/product_detail.php?pid=16298 .
The coolant leak has been covered pretty well, my guess is a cracked reservoir (tank), but it could be any of the other things mentioned.
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10-16-2008, 05:50 PM
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 27
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Coolant
I have the same problem with the coolant getting low and I have to fill up once a week. I will check it this weekend and let you know where my leak at.
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10-16-2008, 06:55 PM
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Posts: 801
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will it always be that large of a puddle with a failed reservoir?
day after i bought mine, i drove it to work and when i was leavin for the day i noticed the puddle under the car in front of the passenger rear tire.
i topped it back off with water and it hasn't changed since. do you think this was the system "burping" itself or should i have it checked out?
is there an off-the-shelf coolant i can use or is there a specific porsche one?
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10-16-2008, 07:30 PM
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 691
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by stateofidleness
is there an off-the-shelf coolant i can use or is there a specific porsche one?
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This made me smile.
Ummm, yes (of course) there is a "Porsche specific one"... and guess what? Its expensive.
It seems that topping off your coolant with a non-porsche product or (god forbid) something as commonplace as water can have disasterous results.
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SOLD - 2002 Boxster S - PSM, Litronics, De-ambered, Bird Bike Rack, Hardtop, RMS leak...
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10-16-2008, 07:35 PM
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Posts: 801
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distilled water??
water dissipates heat better than coolant??
is it a sarcastic "disastrous" or?? i don't get it...
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10-16-2008, 07:56 PM
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Bowmanville, Ont
Posts: 295
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He's not joking. It's 50/50 distilled water and antifreeze.
Mix a different brand of coolant and you will likely end up with a system full of jello.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by stateofidleness
distilled water??
water dissipates heat better than coolant??
is it a sarcastic "disastrous" or?? i don't get it...
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__________________
-- 02 Boxster S
-- Black/Black
-- Sideskirts/PSE
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10-16-2008, 08:11 PM
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Posts: 801
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oh definitely, i'd never mix coolant, but adding water???
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10-17-2008, 04:35 AM
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: In the garage...
Posts: 1,702
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The entire contents of the cooling system is ~ 4.5 gal and is a 50/50 mix Porsche coolant : distilled water.
Absolutely it's ok to add distilled water if you're just topping off the system. Say you're adding up to 1 gal (which would be a lot  )of distilled water - you'd still have a ~ 40:60 mix. Any more than that you should mix it 50/50.
Now, if you're in a pinch and need to be able to get somewhere you could fill the entire system w/ nothing but distilled water. Then, once you find/fix your leak, I'd adjust the mix back to 50/50 or relatively close to it.
Last edited by Burg Boxster; 10-17-2008 at 04:42 AM.
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10-21-2008, 05:45 PM
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 27
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coolant
Okay! Today I found puddle of coolant at the trunk of boxster next to the reservoir. But could not find where the leak come from. Can someone help me please.
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10-22-2008, 06:22 PM
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#15
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Porsche "Purist"
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 2,123
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Replace your cracked coolant tank.
__________________
1998 Boxster with 7.8 DME, 2005 3.6 liter/325 hp, Variocam Plus, 996 Instrument panel
2001 Boxster original owner. I installed used motor at 89k.
1987 924S. 2002 996TT. PST-2
Owned and repaired Porsches since 1974. Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.
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10-22-2008, 07:08 PM
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#16
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 27
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Coolant Tank
Do you happen to know where can I get one beside dealership? I apprecaie for your info.
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10-22-2008, 07:15 PM
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#17
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Porsche "Purist"
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 2,123
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__________________
1998 Boxster with 7.8 DME, 2005 3.6 liter/325 hp, Variocam Plus, 996 Instrument panel
2001 Boxster original owner. I installed used motor at 89k.
1987 924S. 2002 996TT. PST-2
Owned and repaired Porsches since 1974. Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.
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10-24-2008, 03:25 PM
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#18
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 27
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Coolant
Thanks! I appreciated.
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