Coolant Leak, need advice - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

dgentileksu · 02-01-2009, 07:56 PM

All,

Just got my boxster back from one month stay in the shop for oil change, new right rear wheel bearing, clutch and transmission. (Ouch!) It drove like a dream for about a week and a half, but now I am leaking coolant! I already had the coolant tank replaced about six months ago and the rear trunk area is dry, even under the carpet below the tank.

I noticed it when the engine got to ~ 200 degrees. No warning lights, but I checked the level of coolant and found it to be well below the MIN line. Added distilled water up to the max line to get it home. When I parked it, the level was holding, but six hours later the tank is empty and there is a large puddle of coolant under the car. Before it dumped, it was dripping just in front of the right rear wheel and some steam was coming out of the right side vent.

Read several other posts with similar problems and suspect water pump. However, I want to know if a pump failure would continue to leak if the car was not running... Also did not get any engine lights or loud noises. What do I have to remove/where do I have to look to better diagnose this problem?

Thanks for all the help, seems like I just can't win with this one.

dgentileksu · 02-02-2009, 06:42 AM

Has anyone DIY'd a water pump before? Are there any posts with a walkthrough of the process? Found several for coolant tank, but none for how-to on water pump, other than one member saying it was an easy fix...

Brucelee · 02-02-2009, 07:17 AM

We have not had many posts on the water pump in the aggregate. Do you have access to a lift and can do it yourself or is this going to go to the shop?

Brucelee · 02-02-2009, 07:23 AM

http://www.986forum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16490&page=2&pp=20&highlight=impeller

Topless · 02-02-2009, 08:09 AM

The water pump is on the front of the motor. Coolant leaks near RR wheel point to the plastic coolant tank and assoc. hoses and clamps. Pull the motor cover or get on a lift and have a good look in that area.

dgentileksu · 02-02-2009, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brucelee

We have not had many posts on the water pump in the aggregate. Do you have access to a lift and can do it yourself or is this going to go to the shop?

On the way to the shop today to get it on a lift tomorrow. The speed at which it is dumping fluid may well be a blown hose, will not know for sure until the shop can lift it to get a look at it.

More to come tomorrow...

dgentileksu · 02-02-2009, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topless

The water pump is on the front of the motor. Coolant leaks near RR wheel point to the plastic coolant tank and assoc. hoses and clamps. Pull the motor cover or get on a lift and have a good look in that area.

It may well be a hose on the engine side... There is NO moisture in the trunk though, so hopefully the tank is still fine. It is only 5 months old...