cooling system woes

[graemewior]

I have a 2000 boxster s 3.2
I recently replaced my passenger side radiator after discovering the original split, after replacing this part whcich was quite simple, I refilled my cooling system, but failed to realize that bleeding/purging the cooling system required further attention. What i mean by this is I filled the system with anti-freeze left the cap off ran the engine till the bubbles stopped and replaced the cap, and believed all was well. To my surprise my car started overheating after about 10 minutes of driving, i stopped and looked up the bleeding procedure only to find out i needed special tools or a dealership to bleed the system. by this point i had already sprung a leak in my coolant expansion tank, which i am currently trying to find online. tomorrow i intend to check the compression of my cylinders to make sure i did not crack a head as the temperature gauge reads the coolant temp and not that of the engine. If anyone has any suggestions of other ideas please let me know.

[Iflylow]

Sorry for the bad luck. I have changed my coolant reservoir, and it is a royal pain. As far as the bleeding afterwards, no special tools required. there is a bleeder valve on top of the reservoir, and instructions on this and other websites (pedrosgarage)

Can't help you on the cracked head. I don't have any experience with that on boxsters, though I get the impression it is not a prevalent problem.

[jaykay]

I would recommend using a vacum bleeder on your cooling system after you have the res in. The cooling system does have many long runs and nooks and crannies. This would ensure that there are no trapped air pockets which would likely give over heating problems if they are present. I can't comment on the effectiveness of the manual bleeding procedure.

In Canada there is company called uview which makes vacum bleed equipment which should include adapters to properly connect to the coolant fill opening.

I am not able to comment on the symptoms of a cracked head but my guess is that a compression check would only get major flaws. You may want to check this a while down the road as well should an expert deem that this is warranted.

I would post again with this concern as there are many service experts on this site that have a great deal of experience.

Best of luck to you and I hope this helps.

[Mike_Yi]

FWIW, I recently replaced my coolant reservoir. It was a PITA, but not as bad as the AOS. I got mine from Sunset Porsche for about $208. It did take a while to get.

Anyway, I used the UView Airlift vacuum tool to vacuum the system down and vacuum fill it. After I did that, I used the bleed procedure afterwards as I didn't want to take any chances. It's a good thing I did that though. Just running with the cap off required additional fluid (I went to a 25psi vacuum). When I did the full bleed procedure, I had to add even more fluid.

I drove it for 2 days with the bleeder open. Then I closed it and drove it another two days. I then checked the system, and I had to add more coolant.

The cooling system in the Boxster is definitely "over-engineered"! It's a PITA.

BTW, a cracked head will generally result in steam coming out of the exhaust after the car is warmed up (it's normal to get it when it is very cold out and before the car is warmed up). You can tell the difference between steam and smoke as smoke will not dissipate and steam will. If you are also losing fluid, but not seeing any drip on the ground, that is a pretty good indication that there is a cracked head/block or blown head gasket. How hot did the engine get?

[JFP in PA]

If you correctly use a vacuum filling system, there is absolutely no need to open the bleeder afterwards; in fact, you are creating an opportunity for air to get back in to an otherwise air-free system at that point.

[Mike_Yi]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

If you correctly use a vacuum filling system, there is absolutely no need to open the bleeder afterwards; in fact, you are creating an opportunity for air to get back in to an otherwise air-free system at that point.

Not really. When you remove the bleeder, air gets in the system. I already had to add coolant at that point, before even firing it up. I did use the system exactly as the directions indicated.

[dghii]

Looks like from the overflow to me. See if the source of the dump is by your passenger rear wheel as opposed to the are directly behind and between the seats (water pump or hose).

Check the level in coolant tank, fill to mid point (if your engine is still hot) with distilled water. Fire it up and see what happens. My bet is you'll be fine.

[deptotpr]

No signs or warning. Water pump needed replaced. ouch $

[bar10dah]

Anyone have an AirLift I can "rent"?

Otherwise, I'll end up buying one and will rent out to help recoup some of the cost. I'm thinking maybe $10 plus shipping should cover it.

Thoughts?

[deptotpr]

Boxster overheated. Mechanic said one of the fans went out. $535.00 ouch. Remember the $1025.00 water pump last week.... Mama is going to be....