Changing the coolant breather valve

[shlim8]

I've got a 04 radiator cap. Just bought about 3 weeks ago but am still getting condensation and losing coolant. It does look like the water is seeping pass the3 of the bolts.

Is the bleeder valve a simple unbolt and replace part ? How tight should the bolts be ? Depending on the parts availability I might have to change just the 2 O-rings. I presume that should do it. The bleeder valve is in the closed position when I looked at it with the coolant cold.

[JFP in PA]

Yes, you can easily "rebuild" the bleeder assembly, there is a step by step in the Boxster Wiki:

Boxster Wiki

Be careful, if you snap off the bolts, you may end up replacing the entire tank assembly.........

[sasha055]

I have same problem, I replaced the o-rings and I still have condensation going.
Same symptoms as you, condensation and white powder on the bleeder valve bolts.

Does anyone know part nr for the whole valve assembly? maybe changing it will solve the problem.

Sasha

[schoir]

Originally Posted by sasha055

I have same problem, I replaced the o-rings and I still have condensation going.
Same symptoms as you, condensation and white powder on the bleeder valve bolts.

Does anyone know part nr for the whole valve assembly? maybe changing it will solve the problem.

Sasha

Sasha:

The part number for the complete assembly is 996.106.347.02. It supersedes two earlier part numbers and lists for about $33.

Aside from the O-rings, the rubber gasket/diaphragm sometimes gets torn or distorted. If replacing the O-rings did not solve the problem, check the diaphragm or just replace the entire assembly.

Here is a photo showing a distorted gasket/diaphragm. You can see old coolant residue in a number of places on the underside of the hard plastic piece that is showing, and you can see residue around one of the holes through which one of those fragile bolts passes.

Regards, Maurice.

[shlim8]

schoir, ah.... a bleeder valve like the one in your picture would certainly explain my situation... I think I'll refrain from opening up the valve until I get my replacement valve.... Opening up the valve now might make the leak worse and I still need to use the car

[shlim8]

After a run up a mountain road, I popped the rear boot open and guess what ? I found steam escaping from underneath the flat plastic plate that goes above the breather valve.... guess it should be from the breather valve. Definitely not from the coolant cap.

I'm now waiting for my new breather valve. Hopefully that cures the coolant loss.

[schoir]

Originally Posted by shlim8

After a run up a mountain road, I popped the rear boot open and guess what ? I found steam escaping from underneath the flat plastic plate that goes above the breather valve.... guess it should be from the breather valve. Definitely not from the coolant cap.

I'm now waiting for my new breather valve. Hopefully that cures the coolant loss.

Shlim:

When you get your new breather valve and go to install it, remember the caution about the fragile bolts. DO NOT over-torque them!

Regards, Maurice.