Coolant Cap Poll

[clickman]

Originally Posted by l3m

Here's a pic of the latest coolant cap. I replaced mine last month after I noticed a slight drop in coolant level.

Interesting. My -04 cap looks nothing like that...

[Tucker2]

Thanks for this thread guys. I have this issue and an 01 cap. I'll be ordering a new one this weekend.

[rosenfe]

i changed mine to new cap last month with 45k.coolant was flowing out vent hose,i replaced cap and no more problem

[schnellman]

Original cap. 45K miles. No issues.

[cardiffgiant]

My original wasn't seated properly when I bought it and started boiled over. I replaced the cap just to be safe. That was at 79,000.

[fatmike]

My car is gone, but the new owner will get a .04 cap (whether they know enough to check it or not...)


/

[jotoole]

Over tighten?
How do know do if you are over tightening the cap?
Should it be just snugged down?
My 2000 base always has had moisture on the underside of trunk above the cap. Now at 97,000.
Have updated cap at every cap update.

[Spinnaker]

I replaced my coolant cap to the updated one a couple of years ago because I was getting the condensation on the underside of the trunk. Still had condensation collecting on the trunk, so after seeing dried antifreeze residue around the bleeder valve, I replaced the O-rings last month under the valve. No more condensation on the underside of the trunk now.

[jotoole]

Cap, O rings, and valve replaced about 1 - 2 years ago. Still get condensation on underside of trunk lid, always have. Thought the condensation was normal because of the circular seal on the trunk lid in that area, as if the engineers expected condensation and aimed to contain it. Fluid level remains between Full Low marks.

[ekam]

You have a 01 cap, replace it asap. Any Porsche dealer can order it for you.

[haz]

Originally Posted by ekam

You have a 01 cap, replace it asap. Any Porsche dealer can order it for you.

So getting an "OEM" from lets say ebay is a no no?
PORSCHE 911 BOXSTER CAYMAN COOLANT EXPANSION TANK CAP | eBay

[clickman]

Replaced original cap to -01 in 2007 at around 58,000 km (36,000 miles). Now at 109,000 km (68,000 miles). No issues, but after reading this I guess I'll end up getting the -04. Sigh.

Is it just me or is this another Porsche design screw-up? How many car manufacturers redesign their coolant caps regularly...

[clickman]

Originally Posted by haz

So getting an "OEM" from lets say ebay is a no no?
PORSCHE 911 BOXSTER CAYMAN COOLANT EXPANSION TANK CAP | eBay

Looks like OEM to me, at around OEM price...

[Vista glass]

I replaced mine at 83,500 when I did the water pump. I had the original cap and was not experiencing coolant loss. I read here to upgrade was recomended by those who know more than I. All knowledge is useless unless applied. 04 cap on now.

[runjmc2]

.01, '97 with 103K mi. Not sure if it's original. WP was replaced, not sure when or what the cap of the day was at that time...or whether it was even replaced with the WP...

[trimer]

So what is the latest and greatest cap I should be ordering? Anyone with a link?

[southernstar]

The part number is 996106 447 04 (the original was the same except the last two digits were 00). Available from Pelican, Suncoast, etc., etc.

Brad

[haz]

Many responses here are "milage" and "no problems".

Isn't a coolant cap replacement, before a problem appers, the whole point? As a preventive action?

I ordered this one:
PORSCHE 911 BOXSTER CAYMAN COOLANT EXPANSION TANK CAP | eBay

Originally Posted by trimer

So what is the latest and greatest cap I should be ordering? Anyone with a link?

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by haz

Many responses here are "milage" and "no problems".

Isn't a coolant cap replacement, before a problem appers, the whole point? As a preventive action?

Well my problem was that each time the cap needed to be taken off to flush the coolant, replace either the coolant tank or water pump, all things you must be doing if you want your head to keep from cracking, the result was that the old cap could not keep a tight seal and air was coming in. This is potentially big big problem if left ignored.
Each time I immediately brought my car back to shop to get the air out but for whatever reason we didn't consider the cap to be the culprit and figured it was that the system hadn't been burped correctly. A bad guess since we were using vacuum fill so air couldn't have gotten in....unless the cap was bad.

So people who are on the original cap with no issues are probably also people who have never replaced their water pump (a potential problem) or people who have never flushed their coolant (a problem if factory coolant has been mixed with generic coolant) or someone who still has the original coolant tank (which often crack because the old cap lets air in after a flush). In other words if your going to take care of your engine properly this must include replacing the coolant cap every time you flush the coolant or replace the water pump. If you do none of these things maybe you'll be lucky. You should also replace your hoses when you do the water pump for the first time.

[Mark_T]

Cap, coolant tank, and sensor replaced at 128000 km. No condensation or leaking issues at that time.