986 boxster milky coolant

[Walshie]

Hi guys
I have recently bought my first porsche, a 1997 986 boxster tiptronic. All seamed good, ims, rms and maf recently changed when replacement engine was installed. Car has been maintained by porsche specialist and has full history. What could go wrong?
I opened up the coolant filler cap to see a milky sludge around the filler. There's no such residue around the oil filler. My first thoughts are head gasket but I am hoping that there is a simpler cheaper answer.
Can anybody help throw light on this.
Thanks

[Chuck W.]

If the coolant itself is milky, you are in trouble. If it is just a film on the cap itself, no worriers. This is usually caused by moisture and condensation.

[BoxsterLS376]

Yikes well hopefully there is an easy fix... how bad is the mixing in the reservoir?

I would start with the oil cooler, probably the easiest and cheapest thing it could be, it only goes downhill from there.
Drain the system, replace oil cooler or have it tested, fill the system with water and shout liquid detergent. Get it warm, drain, fill again with fresh water, get up to temp, drain and refill with coolant 50/50 and pray it was the oil cooler

[Walshie]

Originally Posted by Chuck W.

If the coolant itself is milky, you are in trouble. If it is just a film on the cap itself, no worriers. This is usually caused by moisture and condensation.

It looks at the moment it is just round the cap and neck. I have wiped it all away to see if it returns. I do not use the car very much and it sits outside. How many miles would I need to do roughly to see if it returns. Fingers crossed
Thanks for your reply

[amagalla]

Do an oil change. It's relatively easy and should definitively answer your question. If the oil is milky, it's probably bad.

[Walshie]

Originally Posted by amagalla

Do an oil change. It's relatively easy and should definitively answer your question. If the oil is milky, it's probably bad.

If the oil is milky would it show on the filler and dip stick. It doesn't on either of them.

[Perfectlap]

I feel like I post this in every new car thread but compression and leak down test...

or one better, take it to your local Porsche dealer, one with a solid service dept. and ask them to do a full top to bottom diagnostic of the car.
I had this done at the 50K mile mark and the report that came back was exceptionally specific, down to which coil packs needed replacing.
I think I only paid $150 for that report. Money well spent.

[Walshie]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

I feel like I post this in every new car thread but compression and leak down test...

or one better, take it to your local Porsche dealer, one with a solid service dept. and ask them to do a full top to bottom diagnostic of the car.
I had this done at the 50K mile mark and the report that came back was exceptionally specific, down to which coil packs needed replacing.
I think I only paid $150 for that report. Money well spent.

Thanks. I think that's a good idea.

[986_inquiry]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

take it to your local Porsche dealer, one with a solid service dept. and ask them to do a full top to bottom diagnostic of the car.
I had this done at the 50K mile mark and the report that came back was exceptionally specific, down to which coil packs needed replacing.
I think I only paid $150 for that report. Money well spent.

I agree with this. A mechanic blew up the engine on my 986 because of coolant problems. Don't just take it to anyone that claims they know Porsche, take it to the real dealer and just get it fixed the right way.

And on that 986 with the blown engine, local Porsche specialist wanted over $7,000 for a used engine installed so I ended up just letting the car sit for years while I paid it off and sold it for $3,000 with the blown engine and bought the 987. I never did get compensated by that mechanic, they refused to give me their insurance information and it wasn't worth attorneys to get $7,000. All he got was a bad Yelp review

[Walshie]

Originally Posted by 986_inquiry

I agree with this. A mechanic blew up the engine on my 986 because of coolant problems. Don't just take it to anyone that claims they know Porsche, take it to the real dealer and just get it fixed the right way.

And on that 986 with the blown engine, local Porsche specialist wanted over $7,000 for a used engine installed so I ended up just letting the car sit for years while I paid it off and sold it for $3,000 with the blown engine and bought the 987. I never did get compensated by that mechanic, they refused to give me their insurance information and it wasn't worth attorneys to get $7,000. All he got was a bad Yelp review

Thanks everyone for your help. I just need to break the news to the wife now. But that's a completely different problem!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JayG]

Definitely get it checked out.
There are also some great independent shops as well in the UK.
Check out Porsche Boxster Forum, it is a similar forum as this, but based in the UK.
You should be able to get some good referrals there. I have been on that forum a bit from time to time and they seem to be good lads