Is coolant supposed to be thick and gold? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

slogans7 · 07-12-2011, 06:36 AM

As I've had to replenish my coolant a couple of times in the past month (a week ago, the level was down to minimum and red light came on), I got a new cap and put it on this morning. When I got to work, I checked it and found a lot of coolant had leaked out.

What's frightening, however, is that the liquid oozing out is gold colored, thick, and very sticky.

I have a hunch (!) something ain't right but before taking it to my mechanic, thought I'd get some diagnoses from you fellas. What do you think the issue is?

blue2000s · 07-12-2011, 06:44 AM

The dex-cool coolant that Porsche uses is thicker than the typical green stuff that most people are used to. But it's not gooey or anything like that. If you've got really thick coolant, like syrup or worse, someone probably tried to mix in an incompatible coolant and they've reacted with each other. If it's Porsche coolant, it shouldn't be gold, but color really doesn't tell you much. There's no standard on colors.

JoeFromPA · 07-12-2011, 07:38 AM

My Porsche coolant is pink - but I've always had it for awhile!

If your coolant is thick/goopy/syrupy/gelatinous, then most likely it's had a reaction that caused it to gel.

Not good if that's the case. Flush it immediately, flush the entire system thoroughly with distilled water, and then replace with proper coolant.

slogans7 · 07-12-2011, 10:26 AM

Thanks, I'll have it flushed tomorrow. I have stupidly used coolant other than Porsche coolant, so I hope that's all it is. My biggest fear is that there's oil leaking into it.

tonycarreon · 07-12-2011, 12:33 PM

yeah thats not normal at all.

i would guess oil & coolant got mixed, but i am no mechanic.

san rensho · 07-12-2011, 02:13 PM

Looks like coolant/oil mix to me. Pull the dipstick and if you have the same gooey mess on the dipstick, then remove the oil filter houising to double check. If ithe same, or similar goo is in the oil, do not drive the car.

Not to be an alarmist, but it does not look good. Best case scenario, the oil cooler failed, worst case, head gasket or cracked head/block.

blue2000s · 07-12-2011, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slogans7

Thanks, I'll have it flushed tomorrow. I have stupidly used coolant other than Porsche coolant, so I hope that's all it is. My biggest fear is that there's oil leaking into it.

Why is it overflowing? Was it overfilled? That's way different than what I had in mind from your description, that realy looks like a coolant/oil mix to me. I wouldn't start that car again until you get it looked at.

JFP in PA · 07-12-2011, 02:38 PM

If all your coolant looks like that, you are going to need more than a simple "drain and refill". That looks more like an intermix issue (coolant/oil), which would mean that somewhere in the system, oil is getting into the coolant. That would need to be located and corrected, then the system would need to be cleaned out throughly with a cooling system cleaner like Prestone, until only clear water came out of the system. Then, and only then, could you refill the system......

slogans7 · 07-12-2011, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue2000s

Why is it overflowing? Was it overfilled? That's way different than what I had in mind from your description, that realy looks like a coolant/oil mix to me. I wouldn't start that car again until you get it looked at.

I got a new cap and didn't put it on properly this morning. After work, I put it on properly and had no overflow on drive home. Temp stayed 180-190* in 82* weather.

I pulled the oil dipstick and found the oil was low 2 qts. There wasn't any evidence of goo on the dipstick.

I'm taking it to my mechanic and I'll let you know what he comes up with.