Have i bought a lemon?

[mikefocke]

Buying a car that has 106k miles you expect a flaw (or you get a pre-purchase inspection by someone who knows the cars). That is why it was priced the way it was.

So what to do now?

Look at the oil on the dipstick and see its color...if milky you have real problems.

Fill the coolant tank in the rear trunk with water to the line.

Drive till things are warm (showing 170).

Let it cool down and see if any leakage has occurred. What is the water level now?

Oil/Coolant tank? Water pump (more common)? Fill pressure cap? Hole in radiator (you have at least 2 of them in the front corners of the car)?

If you can't pinpoint an obvious leak, get it to a Porsche mechanic who knows how to burp the system and pressure check the system.

This needs to be fixed now.

[Adam_w]

yeah i didnt expect it to be perfect but this was a little unexpected.

i'll check its not mixing oil and coolant and top it up, see if its leaking. its about all i can do at this point and hope its obvious if its leaking.

No offense but not noticing lights during a vehicle pre sale inspection is letting excitement override logic. I went over my Boxster with special lights to look for filler lines in the finish, checked the vehicle mechanically. It's true what others said about buying cheap and paying if the PO was a poor steward of the vehicle. If the head gasket is solid then maybe you'll get off light, I suspect with that mileage you have deeper concerns, a raby upgrade and a clutch kit would be a sweet option if the engine is coming out..good luck

My fellow captains once noted that BOAT meant " bring over another thousand", welcome to land boating my friend...

[Adam_w]

I noticed it, just having never owned one i thought it was something along the lines of flashes when cold. Since im buying from the bottom end of the market i wouldnt be going over the finish with a special light etc.. i dont expect it to be as new.

I'll have to see how i get on.. raby upgrade?

[Lil bastard]

It's waay too early to be thinking about engines and clutches... it's just a low coolant light.

Could be anything from a bad hose clamp, cracked coolant reservoir, a leaky radiator, a bad hose, a failing (weeping) waterpump, a head gasket, to simply being low on coolant.

Have it inspected and pressure tested and bled (maybe even have the coolant replaced w/ that many miles on it if it hasn't been done before) - how old is the car? - you may be due.

[Adam_w]

its a 1998 and we are getting a little ahead of ourselves here

[mookarma]

umm, why don't you put more coolant in it? Just a thought.

[cvhs18472]

If it is a 98 it still might have the old style cap which has been known to leak very often. Look at the color of the cap and tell us if it is green or black. It could be as simple as that. Don't panic yet. As it was said before it just might be a little low. I also have a 98, but when I purchased mine it had low miles, but age is also a factor. Whenever I had a few dollars I would do maintenance on it as if it were due. Change antifreeze, flush brake fluid, plugs, change fluid in the tiptronic, etc. . I have since put on over 30K in 2 driving seasons ( put away for winter-8-10" of snow today ) and have had no trouble. Good luck and enjoy your auto. Ed