Go Back   986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners > Porsche Boxster & Cayman Forums > Performance and Technical Chat

Post Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12-08-2015, 08:33 PM   #1
NOTA550
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Beverly Hills, CA
Posts: 23
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.
BH2000S is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-08-2015, 09:52 PM   #2
Registered User
 
nieuwhzn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 296
Garage
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.
nieuwhzn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-09-2015, 05:53 AM   #3
On the slippery slope
 
JayG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Austin and Palm Springs
Posts: 3,799
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by BH2000S View Post
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
__________________
2004 Boxster S 6 speed - DRL relay hack, Polaris AutoTop DIY
2004 996 Targa Tip
Instructor - San Diego region
2014 Porsche Performance Driving School
2020 BMW X3, 2013 Ram 1500, 2016 Cmax, 2004 F-150 "Big Red"
JayG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-09-2015, 11:47 AM   #4
NOTA550
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Beverly Hills, CA
Posts: 23
Quote:
Originally Posted by JayG View Post
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!
BH2000S is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-09-2015, 12:08 PM   #5
Registered User
 
911monty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: California Central Coast
Posts: 1,476
Garage
Black Pepper!
911monty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-14-2015, 03:39 AM   #6
Registered User
 
Xpit77's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Canada
Posts: 487
Turn on the heater and fan and smell. If this is the strongest it may be the block heater.
__________________
99 Boxster sold
88 944S sold
Xpit Formula Four sold
95 Integra Solo I sold
71 Opel GT sold
Xpit77 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-04-2016, 10:31 PM   #7
NOTA550
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Beverly Hills, CA
Posts: 23
I finally had a chance to jack up the car and pull the pan. Very clean underneath, nothing unusual found. No residue, no coolant smell. Hoses all appear to be in good condition. Pan just had road dirt on it, I cleaned it off and will recheck for any drips.

Since my original post, coolant has dropped about one line on the expansion tank. I still have not ordered the new cap, that could be the source. Not smelling much in the interior with the top up, still smell coolant at the side vents. The search continues.

Here are some really boring Porsche engine porn shots to prove I was under the car.

[IMG] photo IMG_1414_zps2fm9imhg.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG] photo IMG_1417_zpsgcl2pxfp.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG] photo IMG_1418_zpsmt8hpbyl.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG] photo IMG_1420_zpsxybib5uk.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG] photo IMG_1431_zpsvrgwr0as.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG] photo IMG_1434_zpst24k0stk.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG] photo IMG_1436_zps0agvbgys.jpg[/IMG]
BH2000S is offline   Reply With Quote
Post Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 02:50 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2025 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page