Coolant Leak

[98Sixer]

Pulled up to the house after running some errands and noticed some fluid from under the car as it was still idling. Initially, thought it was condensation from the A/C, but did not have it turned on.

Definitely coolant as per the photo. Enough to run down to the curb and pool.




Shut the car and then started her up and nothing...not another drop. Worth mentioning that upon start up I hear a high pitch whine that goes away after a minute or so.

Is this an intermittent water pump on the way out or something else? Water Pump was replaced 14,000 miles/3 years ago.




Any insight would be appreciated.

[Ciao]

I get the same whine every time I start her up; last for about a minute or two then goes away.

[dghii]

The noise at start up is your air pump. It is normal and has nothing to do with your leak. After your car cools, check the coolant level in your reservoir. Also, pull the cover behind your seats, start your car and look for leaks around the water pump. Be careful!

[dghii]

BTW, air pump runs for 75 seconds at start up IIRC.

[98Sixer]

Originally Posted by dghii

The noise at start up is your air pump. It is normal and has nothing to do with your leak. After your car cools, check the coolant level in your reservoir. Also, pull the cover behind your seats, start your car and look for leaks around the water pump. Be careful!

So the coolant was previously sitting at the minimum line and is now about 1/2" below. I have the engine cover off, but honestly have no idea as to the pump location. My other P-Car is air cooled so don't have to deal with this sort of thing.

Where exactly should I be looking. I can see the two rubber hoses, should I just shine a light down or will this become apparent on starting?

[oldskool73]

for the water pump, you want to open the access in the firewall behind the seats (not the one at the back under where the roof folds), then look around the bottom left pulley, that runs the water pump. This is what you'll be looking at when the cover is off, and you want to check #4 http://cdn4.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Boxster_Tech/05-BASICS-Belt/images_small/Pic3.JPG

[kirkandorules]

Leaking water pump (or hoses that connect to it) can also cause a cloud of white vapor to come out through the passenger side engine bay fan vent.

[98Sixer]

Originally Posted by oldskool73

for the water pump, you want to open the access in the firewall behind the seats (not the one at the back under where the roof folds), then look around the bottom left pulley, that runs the water pump. This is what you'll be looking at when the cover is off, and you want to check #4 http://cdn4.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Boxster_Tech/05-BASICS-Belt/images_small/Pic3.JPG

Thanks for the diagram link from Pelican, that helps. The problem is intermittent so I dropped it at the shop for them to sort out. Didn't leak or have temp gauge go above 180 on the drive over. Could be an expansion tank issue as well.