coolant overflow from expansion reservoir

[hucqym]

Hello all,
I took my 2001 boxster on a drive down from San Francisco to Santa Barbara this weekend and had problems.

First, as I pulled into the driveway in SB, I saw coolant spilling off the side, opened the trunk and found it oozing out from around the cap perhaps and out through overflow tube. Put the key back in ignition to check temp and it showed around 200. No CEL or any other signs. It didnt look like it had been draining all the way along. probably happened just when i stopped.

I let it cool and next day was a sunday and couldnt take it to the shop for a checkup. Got some coolant and topped it up. Seemed like a about a gallon of coolant had drained off. Started up, no bad signs ran well (temp still about 200) and so I decided to carry on and bother about the issue once I got back home to SF.

Then again when I took an exit for gas after about 200 miles, I noticed the check engine light come up and soon stopped and noticed the coolant spilling off again. Let it cool for a good couple hours. Checked around with little hope but obviously no shop open on a sunday evening. Topped up the coolant again and then was able to drive again and reached home (another 250 miles) without further events. The car ran smooth as ever and temp still sticking around 200 (apart from check engine light that stayed on - but wasnt blinking)

Car hadnt been showing any other trouble signs before this as well. It does give out some good smoke (which appears white) at startup from the exhaust and kinda smells like gas (I had looked that up and it seemed like that was a regular thing with boxster's flat engine so didnt bother).

It is currently doing 94K miles. Around 90K the coolant pump broke which I had replaced on my own (with help from the board of course). Also had it undergo a 90K major service soon after and that changed the drivebelt among other things

Any ideas on what could be the problem? I will take it to the shop for the check engine light anyway but thought a self-assessment was in order before that, as usual.

Thanks in anticipation
Hakim

Sounds like you just need a new Coolant Cap.
http://www.e-partssales.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=P&Product_Code=99610644703&Category_Code=986Cooling

Code: 99610644703
Price: $15.20

[rangersplash]

I have a very similar problem. I didn't know what was causing it but every so often I have to dump a little coolant into the car. I noticed it is on the ground infront of the rear passenger wheel. One time I saw a very slight bit on the drivers side infront of the rear wheel. Figured if I saw that again I'd get it looked at but never have.

If this is the consensus that a new cap is necessary I'll order it too

-Matt