Coolant Cap Poll
 

Are you still on the original or did you get the new coolant cap?

If you have the old one, please post mileage and if you'd had funny coolant levels ever.

Replaced original at 120,000 miles because coolant level would very slowly go down and I had already replaced the water pump and thermostat. This fixed the coolant lowering problem.

Perfect - small cost to head off some known issues...mail order via suncoast...

So why not?



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When I bought my 04 over 2 years ago, in the first few days I had a problem with loss of coolant (probably about a pint at a time). So I took it back to the dealer (who happens to be an independent Porsche service specialist) and they replaced the old coolant cap with a new '04 code' cap. Have had no problems at all since. The car had done 70,000 km at the time I bought it.

I had no knowledge of the cap issue at the time, but obviously the dealer did.

Just had it done. I was curious to see how much coolant the old cap was costing others. Last time I had the coolant flushed, big drop below the minimum hash mark right away. After Water pump was recently replaced, big drop again after the first long drive. They went over the system for leaks, found none. Replaced the cap.

At 63,000, replaced it from a Porsche dealer and no more probs.

About to turn 85,000 km.
Still on the original coolant cap, water pump and green coolant, although that's all going to change when the car goes out for winter hibernation...

Replace the original cap just yesterday with the latest version.

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...

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.

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

Replaced my 01 cap to a 03. I know the current one is 04 but no one can tell if there's any difference between 03 and 04. Reading on the other forum it's likely that Porsche changed supplier so they updated the part number. I haven't bothered to change it yet.

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.

I have just replaced the coolant cap at 41k miles. Never had a problem with coolant level in the last 11k miles I have owned it.

Can you easily tell which cap you have, e.g. via part number?

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.

It's written on top of the cap.

Oh and you need to open the rear trunk, not the front trunk to get to it.

Perfectlap,

I just had the original coolant tank cap changed on my 1999 Boxster at 193,000 miles. I lost almost all my coolant when I picked up the car after a water pump thermostat replacement. After a pressure check the mechanic replaced the cap and all is well.

My original cap was black. The new cap is blue.

MNC-I

Replaced mine a few years ago at around 39k on a '00S. I think I have the .03 version. Mine was misting around the edge too!

Here's a pic of the latest coolant cap. I replaced mine last month after I noticed a slight drop in coolant level.

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps586b280c.jpg

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/f...psdf33d828.jpg

My coolant cap from my indy shop is blue and says Germany on it. However there are no numbers on it. It could be made in China for all I know!?

i changed mine to new cap last month with 45k.coolant was flowing out vent hose,i replaced cap and no more problem

Original cap. 45K miles. No issues.

Im in the same boat, would someone please shed some light

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..............

My original wasn't seated properly when I bought it and started boiled over. I replaced the cap just to be safe. That was at 79,000.

My car is gone, but the new owner will get a .04 cap (whether they know enough to check it or not...)


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Over tighten?
How do know do if you are over tightening the cap?
Should it be just snugged down?
My 2000 base always has had moisture on the underside of trunk above the cap. Now at 97,000.
Have updated cap at every cap update.

I replaced my coolant cap to the updated one a couple of years ago because I was getting the condensation on the underside of the trunk. Still had condensation collecting on the trunk, so after seeing dried antifreeze residue around the bleeder valve, I replaced the O-rings last month under the valve. No more condensation on the underside of the trunk now.

Cap, O rings, and valve replaced about 1 - 2 years ago. Still get condensation on underside of trunk lid, always have. Thought the condensation was normal because of the circular seal on the trunk lid in that area, as if the engineers expected condensation and aimed to contain it. Fluid level remains between Full Low marks.

Damn, this got me thinking I should check mine! 98k miles and only owned the car 5 weeks, so havent really checked the levels..

Obviosuly original cap, right? Says >PA6.6GF30< under the cap. There was a high pressure that was released when I twisted it off, and also some steam! There are also white dried powder, almost cocain like, on the outside of the cap.

Should I be worried? Do I need to replace it? And where do I buy one online? :confused:

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/8937/bc9e.jpg

http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/8726/qyxo.jpg

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/8093/csa8.jpg

You have a 01 cap, replace it asap. Any Porsche dealer can order it for you.

So getting an "OEM" from lets say ebay is a no no?
PORSCHE 911 BOXSTER CAYMAN COOLANT EXPANSION TANK CAP | eBay

Replaced original cap to -01 in 2007 at around 58,000 km (36,000 miles). Now at 109,000 km (68,000 miles). No issues, but after reading this I guess I'll end up getting the -04. Sigh.

Is it just me or is this another Porsche design screw-up? How many car manufacturers redesign their coolant caps regularly...

Looks like OEM to me, at around OEM price...

Replace how regularly?

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.

I replaced mine at 83,500 when I did the water pump. I had the original cap and was not experiencing coolant loss. I read here to upgrade was recomended by those who know more than I. All knowledge is useless unless applied. 04 cap on now.

.01, '97 with 103K mi. Not sure if it's original. WP was replaced, not sure when or what the cap of the day was at that time...or whether it was even replaced with the WP...

So what is the latest and greatest cap I should be ordering? Anyone with a link?