Do I really need the super special $200 Porsche coolant?
 

Hey all, my Boxster started leaking coolant from somewhere (not the coolant reservoir, it's the new one with the new cap) but only intermittently and from somewhere I can't find. I have an emissions test I need to get done this month so I need to get the car back up and running ASAP, but I also suspect I will need to do some work on the coolant system in the near future which means doing a full drain and refill probably in the early winter.

In doing my due diligence I found that the official coolant for these cars from Porsche is $200 for a 20L jug, and that feels very expensive. Is it truly necessarry to put liquid gold into my car's circulatory system or can't I just put the euro car formulation in there and call it good? Especially considering my time crunch and the high liklihood I'll be draining it again this winter I'm inclined to go with the generic stuff, at least for the rest of thw driving season.

Anyone have any insight or experience in this matter?

First of all, Porsche coolant is a concentrate, and you really do not need 20 litres, particualrly if you are leaking; total wast of money.

You can buy a coolant UV dye from Amazon, Uview and other make it, for a few bucks. Dump a dose into your coolant tank, adjust the level with distilled water, run the car for a few days, then put it up in the air and us a UV light to pinpoint where it is leaking from. Once you find, and fix the problem, you can plan on dumping the system and doing a coolant system maintence.

Don't look for a bandaid, fix the leak.

I've never heard of that UV dye but it sounds perfect for repairing this issue! Any suggestions on a specific brand or are they all basically the same thing?

We have use Uview in the shop for years, but they are all similar.

Available at your local auto parts store, typically. You do need a UV light source as well.

And, to your original question, no, you don’t need the Super Secial Porsche Coolant.

Perhaps not...but do your research carefully before you use something else.

Last time I did a coolant change, using the OE coolant was roughly the same as buying a compatible G12/+ premix.

Jeff is right, as always…
 

Fix the leak.

Leaks never get better, only worse.

And like he said, the Porsche coolant is mixed with water, it’s not any more expensive than any other stuff.

You bought a Porsche, Cowboy Up.

Agree.
Fix it. Then use the good stuff. It's not like you're doing this that often.

https://imgur.com/a/7hTZL2p

Found the leak. How the hell do I get to that connection? I can't seem to see it from above and I can only get one hand in that gap. Any ideas?

https://imgur.com/a/7hTZL2p

That looks to be in the tip's coolant valve area; if so, you are going to need to lower the engine and trans a bit to gain access.

Fix the leak first and foremost. It's a good idea to flush s couple of times with destilled/demineralized water if you do not know whats in there from before. You can fill cheap/generic G12+ spec pink coolant 50/50 with destilled water.

^^^ That looks like a tight spot.

Will loosening the front engine mount only, and lower the engine 3-4cm with a jack work for him in this case? I did this when i changed my engine mount and its not and absurd amount of work.

Not really; undoing the front mount and lowering the engine will actually raise the trans slightly, which is the opposite of what you need to do. Undo all three mounts while supporting the engine/ trans, then lower it just enough to get at the problem as you don't want to be over stressing hoses and wire harnesses.

I managed to replace the valve without needing to disconnect the engine or trans in any way. It was a huge pain and through the process I developed many hand cramps and had a crowbar punch me in the mouth, but the leak seems fixed!

I'm super curious if anyone knows how much it would have cost me to get this job done at a dealer/independent mechanic. I'm always wanting to know how much money I saved doing it myself.