08-08-2013, 04:17 PM
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Foster City CA
Posts: 1,099
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Replace the original cap just yesterday with the latest version.
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08-08-2013, 04:54 PM
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#2
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jakesbox
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Charlotte NC
Posts: 759
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can someone help me here? How would a coolant cap keep you from losing coolant? I see on here that coolant was low, etc but no leaks...where is it going and how would a cap fix it? Is it just disintegrating into thin air because the cap is bad?
Sorry for the dumb question but I am really curious. I ahve a 10 yr old car with 18000 miles on it and the original cap. but want to know what a new cap would do...
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2003 996 Twin Turbo X50, PCCB, polar silver / 2004 996 Carerra Cabriolet, midnight blue, cinnamon leather, IMS Pro / 2003 Artic Silver Boxster - Short Throw Shift, IMS Upgrade, Carerra Light Wheels, De-Snorked with Evoms Cold Air Intake, GHL Exhaust (Sold) / 2002 Seal Grey Boxster - Fabspeed Exhaust, Black powder coated wheels, Porsche stripes (Sold) / 2 -1957 356 A Speedsters (signal red and seal grey) (Sold) / 1989 944 Turbo (m030 S options)
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08-08-2013, 05:31 PM
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Little Rock,Ar
Posts: 357
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My 13 year old cap was somehow unable to keep a good seal on its place on the top of the plastic coolant tank in the rear trunk.I noticed a little moisture around the base; then I noticed "sweating" on inside the trunk area directly above the cap area.
My coolant level had been very slowly dropping.I read about all of this on this forum  and found that an improved cap is available from Porsche.Look at the part number on your cap and search this forum for the number on the updated cap.I'm thinking the last numbers are 00 and my new cap has last numbers of 04.Research it and ask your dealer if they have the updated cap and the part number.I ordered the new cap form a Porches dealer.Maybe 20 bucks or so.
No more leaking or moisture on the inside bottom of the trunk lid.When you replace the cap,make sure your are not cross threading it or over tightening it.Good and snug is enough.When you get your cap you will see that it has a longer tube shaped base.
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08-09-2013, 04:17 AM
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 598
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litespeed is correct - the cooling system is supposed to be a 'closed' system and if the cap does not seal properly, it allows small amounts of steam to be released which will gradually reduce the coolant level. I replaced/upgraded my cap before my 3000 mile trip this summer as a precaution, even though there were no signs of coolant loss.
Brad
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08-09-2013, 05:12 AM
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: It's a kind of magic.....
Posts: 6,646
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Quote:
Originally Posted by trimer
can someone help me here? How would a coolant cap keep you from losing coolant? I see on here that coolant was low, etc but no leaks...where is it going and how would a cap fix it? Is it just disintegrating into thin air because the cap is bad?
Sorry for the dumb question but I am really curious. I ahve a 10 yr old car with 18000 miles on it and the original cap. but want to know what a new cap would do...
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The cap vents above a certain pressure (from the factory, about 18.2 PSIG) and can dump coolant out the overflow, but this pressure drops off with time and miles, which is why the cap needs to be tested regularly or replaced. Porsche has "improved" the original design at least 3 times to date, and as the caps are cheap, anyone that does not have a -03 or -04 cap is asking for trouble.
__________________
“Anything really new is invented only in one’s youth. Later, one becomes more experienced, more famous – and more stupid.” - Albert Einstein
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08-09-2013, 06:41 AM
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 8,709
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JFP in PA
Porsche has "improved" the original design at least 3 times to date, and as the caps are cheap, anyone that does not have a -03 or -04 cap is asking for trouble.
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And that's if they are even checking the trunk to see if the coolant level is kosher...
I got in the habit of of seeing what's doing back there after my last coolant flush. I missed many opportunities to make the cap switch, like when the tank split and dumped all the coolant, as well as this last water pump. New cap should be part of any PPI inspection check list.
it's really amazing how such a minor thing can let a potentially big problem get away from you. The dash is not going to help you out until its way late.
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08-09-2013, 11:31 AM
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#7
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Porsche
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Wyoming
Posts: 28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by trimer
can someone help me here? How would a coolant cap keep you from losing coolant? I see on here that coolant was low, etc but no leaks...where is it going and how would a cap fix it? Is it just disintegrating into thin air because the cap is bad?
Sorry for the dumb question but I am really curious. I ahve a 10 yr old car with 18000 miles on it and the original cap. but want to know what a new cap would do...
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Im in the same boat, would someone please shed some light
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08-09-2013, 11:42 AM
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: It's a kind of magic.....
Posts: 6,646
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Speedy2000
Im in the same boat, would someone please shed some light
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The system has a vent line that runs under the car, when the system pressure exceeds the cap pressure rating (which drops from its original 18.2 PSIG over time and with use), coolant goes out the vent and onto the ground. Now that there is air space in the surge tank, air starts circulating in the system, and you get air pockets; and the car starts to overheat. All over a part that cost about $20 and should be tested and/or replaced regularly..............
__________________
“Anything really new is invented only in one’s youth. Later, one becomes more experienced, more famous – and more stupid.” - Albert Einstein
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08-10-2013, 07:26 AM
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BC
Posts: 1,352
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JFP in PA
The system has a vent line that runs under the car, when the system pressure exceeds the cap pressure rating (which drops from its original 18.2 PSIG over time and with use), coolant goes out the vent and onto the ground. Now that there is air space in the surge tank, air starts circulating in the system, and you get air pockets; and the car starts to overheat. All over a part that cost about $20 and should be tested and/or replaced regularly..............
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Replace how regularly?
__________________
2001 Boxster, 5 spd, Seal Grey
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08-10-2013, 07:54 AM
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: It's a kind of magic.....
Posts: 6,646
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Quote:
Originally Posted by clickman
Replace how regularly?
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We pressure test them every time a car comes into the shop; if they don't hold until 18.2 PSIG, they go in the trash. Never tried to develop an "average life expectancy", as it seems to be all over the map. If you can't pressure test, I would replace it at least every two years.
__________________
“Anything really new is invented only in one’s youth. Later, one becomes more experienced, more famous – and more stupid.” - Albert Einstein
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08-12-2013, 12:47 PM
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: sw ohio
Posts: 253
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JFP in PA
We pressure test them every time a car comes into the shop; if they don't hold until 18.2 PSIG, they go in the trash. Never tried to develop an "average life expectancy", as it seems to be all over the map. If you can't pressure test, I would replace it at least every two years.
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That seems to be my luck with the caps, have always had that condensation so I've ordered yet another "04" cap.
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