Coolant smell, can't find a leak

[jb92563]

In the trunk by the Coolant/Oil cap there is a plastic shield.

If you remove that shield, under it you will find a coolant air relief/burp valve.

If it has crusty dried coolant in that area you have found the issue.

Either the relief valve gasket needs to be replaced, the screws need to be tightened, or the coolant system is overfilled.

If the coolant system is over filled you will get a release of coolant here and it will run down the drain tube and exit the car next to the rear right tire.

I had this happen after topping up the water tank and thought I had a more serious issue like a water pump failure. Once I realized what was happening I let it do its thing and it stopped leaking after the excess coolant was released.

I had kept on topping it off after each discharge thinking it was low and just continuing the cycle of discharging coolant after a drive.

[JayG]

Originally Posted by jb92563

In the trunk by the Coolant/Oil cap there is a plastic shield.

If you remove that shield, under it you will find a coolant air relief/burp valve.

If it has crusty dried coolant in that area you have found the issue.

Either the relief valve gasket needs to be replaced, the screws need to be tightened, or the coolant system is overfilled.

If the coolant system is over filled you will get a release of coolant here and it will run down the drain tube and exit the car next to the rear right tire.

I had this happen after topping up the water tank and thought I had a more serious issue like a water pump failure. Once I realized what was happening I let it do its thing and it stopped leaking after the excess coolant was released.

I had kept on topping it off after each discharge thinking it was low and just continuing the cycle of discharging coolant after a drive.

+986, good catch

[BH2000S]

Thanks for all the great advice. I have not had time to jack the car up and check the water pump yet. I did check the burp valve (aka coolant bleeder valve?), totally clean. The expansion tank cap seems to seal fine but the threads seem a little wonky and the part number ends in 02 so I'll order the $27 updated Porsche one from Pelican. I don't really smell anything in the trunk.

I don't know if the water pump was replaced with the engine. The receipt notes a lot of hours cleaning coolant out of the oil system but not the water pump. I need to track down more info from a dealer.

If it is a small seal leak, I would be tempted to use a cooling system sealer but I'm guessing that will just cause problems down the road with a Porsche.

[nieuwhzn]

I have exactly the same problem. Bought the car 5 years ago, always smell a whif of coolant when starting. There is nothing, Nothing, that smells like a coolant leak anywhere. Leaks usually get worse over time, so after 5 years I kinda got used to it.
The only thing that I still have to look at is the overflow of the coolant tank. I found a tube that ends in the trunk but isn't connected on the other end, just strapped down under the engine somewhere.

[JayG]

Originally Posted by BH2000S

Thanks for all the great advice. I have not had time to jack the car up and check the water pump yet. I did check the burp valve (aka coolant bleeder valve?), totally clean. The expansion tank cap seems to seal fine but the threads seem a little wonky and the part number ends in 02 so I'll order the $27 updated Porsche one from Pelican. I don't really smell anything in the trunk.

I don't know if the water pump was replaced with the engine. The receipt notes a lot of hours cleaning coolant out of the oil system but not the water pump. I need to track down more info from a dealer.

If it is a small seal leak, I would be tempted to use a cooling system sealer but I'm guessing that will just cause problems down the road with a Porsche.

Do not under any circumstances use cooling system sealer. That stuff can clog up places you don't want restricted.

If you do use it, please post your VIN so we know to avoid your car if you sell it

[BH2000S]

Originally Posted by JayG

Do not under any circumstances use cooling system sealer. That stuff can clog up places you don't want restricted.

If you do use it, please post your VIN so we know to avoid your car if you sell it

I'll just put some oatmeal in the radiator like shoddy used car dealers used to do!

[911monty]

Black Pepper!

[Xpit77]

Turn on the heater and fan and smell. If this is the strongest it may be the block heater.