CEL on the highway making Wal-mart pitstop - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Boxtaboy · 07-11-2010, 05:40 PM

Add water till it reads between the two lines, or even to the fill line, and then start the car and see if any leaks out. If it's gushing out, see what location it's coming from so that you can determine what is causing the problem (ie. Water pump or tank). If your water pump, you might as well get it towed now, since you prob won't make it home. If coolant tank leak, you may be able to nurse it home if you carry extra water with you and keep refilling as you lose coolant.

Boxtaboy · 07-12-2010, 03:52 AM

And the verdict is?....

Perfectlap · 07-12-2010, 04:40 AM

I made it home so I didn't add the distilled water I picked up along the way. There seemed to be no coolant left. I figured I'd let it cool off completely..the cap was on crazy tight didn't remove at all. I could see no puddles or any leak from underneath.
The CeL was P01276 which I used to get before I changed the 02 sensors

Should I add the distilled water now before I head over to the Indy or let them figure out where the leak is? Its a 5 minute drive.

Burg Boxster · 07-12-2010, 06:15 AM

I'd add it now. In all likely hood, the leak will either be the coolant tank, water pump, or one of the hose connections to a front radiator (if the bleeder valve and cap aren't causing massive dumping of coolant when car shut off at a stop - evident by dumping coolant just in front of right rear wheel). All of which will necessitate draining most of the system to R&R. Even if you add 1 gal of distilled water, you won't upset the 50/50 balance too much as the entire system holds 4.75 to 6.08 gal depending on tip and/or S model.

Perfectlap · 07-12-2010, 08:55 AM

it took about half a gallon of the distilled water to get it up near the max fill line.
No puddle on the floor from the night before. We'll see if there's any tonight when I get home. Luckily I only drive on the weekend.
Couldn't get the Indy on the phone I'll have to bring it by tomorrow. The shop is usually booked solid.
by the way, what does it cost to repalce the coolant tank or water pump?
I hope the$300 for the one and only coolant flush isn't going down zee drain.

Boxtaboy · 07-12-2010, 09:17 AM

Either jobs at a NJ dealer will cost you about $1k. Indie...about $600.

Fluellen · 07-12-2010, 11:49 AM

If you had lost half a gallon of coolant externally, you would both see and smell it.

This leaves either an internal leak, or the system had an air pocket in it that got burped out during your drive.

Given your recent coolant flush, the most likely cause is an air pocket. Nothing to worry about.

You should, however, check your oil, just in case. An internal leak of half a gallon of coolant would show up as milk shake.