Coolant on garage floor

[Finnegan]

Hi All,

I ran an errand this morning and when I got back I see there is some coolant on the garage floor. Maybe .25 cup or so? I don't see any moisture around the cap in the trunk, but I haven't removed the carpet to look underneath yet.

I'd say from the location of the puddle, it's coming from the rear, right of the underside.

What am I looking at as far a repairs go?

Thanks,

[JFP in PA]

Could be the coolant cap (easy), or the coolant tank (not so much).

[Stl-986]

you need to find the leak before you can know what the repairs are going to be.

[ike84]

Agreed. Run it hot and then get out to look for leaks. The coolant overflow tube is in the location you are describing, small black hose open to atmosphere near right rear well. Mine did the same thing recently, turned out to be a failed TStat.

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[blue62]

Pressure test the coolant system then you will know what the issue is.
Harbor Freight sells a coolant system pressure tester for a reasonable price.
Their kit can be used on any coolant system.

[Zordrack]

Is it a bad idea to add a splash of fluorescent AC dye to help find leaks like this ?

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Zordrack

Is it a bad idea to add a splash of fluorescent AC dye to help find leaks like this ?

Not at all, helps spot small leaks better.

[Rob175]

IF your trunk carpet is dry, then YOU MUST remove the trunk carpet AND the raised floor board, under the carpet. There you will probably find a puddle(s) of coolant on the metal trunk floor, some of which has found it's way to your garage floor. That's exactly what mine did. (1998)

If so, then like mine, you might have developed "spider cracks" in the coolant tank that ONLY expand and leak when the system is hot and pressure builds. Leave everything out of the trunk, fill the tank to the proper level, wad up some paper towel around the tank bottom and go for a ride to heat the system up. Park and as it cools down check the paper towel......my guess is you'll find it wet with coolant.

Don't cheap out....buy a OEM Porsche coolant tank, not the crap cheap ones. I had my "indy" Porsche shop replace mine....total cost time/tank was about $1,000. Others have done it themselves, but I have no way of lifting the car to work from under. Some say it can be done from above, but I bite the bullet and pay someone else...lol.

Report back with what you discover.

[Finnegan]

Thanks everyone. The shop reports that it was a failed water pump. They're replacing that, the thermostat, and the belt.

[Rob175]

Glad you found the issue. I don't want to give you "my bad luck" ...BUT.... In my case, my water pump ALSO failed and was replaced too. Two weeks later, I discovered that my coolant tank began leaking from those spider cracks I described in my previous post. Fortunately, those two repairs have been the only repairs my 98 has needed in the 23 years I've driven it. (My 98 just turned 90,000 miles old - 4,000 miles/yr average)

[Finnegan]

Most. Expensive. Car wash. Ever.