Go Back   986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners > Porsche Boxster & Cayman Forums > Boxster General Discussions

Post Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 06-07-2018, 01:26 PM   #1
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: California
Posts: 71
coolant leak

Hey everyone
I came out of the store to find a trail of coolant leading to my car, and a puddle in front of my passenger side rear tire, rats. drove it home, same thing puddle by tire. I've inspected the tank, no coolant in trunk, carpet dry. The hose connections on the engine side, all dry. Coolant is all over the lower wishbone and the inside of the wheel. The only sign of moisture is at the tip of what I suppose to be some kind of a coolant overflow hose which is clipped to the brake line. It's a 2000s, All was well with the coolant level two days before, car runs at about 180. Help, please.

boxsterboxster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2018, 01:33 PM   #2
Super Moderator
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 907
Did you check the coolant tank itself? It's a notoriously terrible design and they often crack. If that's the case, take a look at the link below for the DIY replacement procedure.

https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Boxster_Tech/33-WATER-Coolant_Tank/33-WATER-Coolant_Tank.htm
Dmitry at Pelican Parts is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2018, 02:59 PM   #3
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: California
Posts: 71
Thanks Dmitry
I don't see any evidence of a tank leak. the trunk is dry, i took up the carpet. Should I pressurize the system to be sure?
boxsterboxster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2018, 03:06 PM   #4
1998 Boxster Silver/Red
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: 92262
Posts: 2,915
Same thing had happened to me... after some spirited driving. It burped. I had the same trail of coolant.

Added distilled water to bring it to level... opened the vent to allow the system air to escape (for a few days). Paid attention to the level... hasn't happened since.

IMHO... if you found no wet in the trunk... leave the coolant tank alone.

Likely just a one-off. Surely a real pro will chime in.
__________________
1998 Porsche Boxster
Starter986 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2018, 04:26 PM   #5
Artist, 986S tinkerer
 
NewArt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Montreal, Canada
Posts: 1,821
The relief valve that you use to burp the system can sometimes get tired. There are o-rings under it that might be worn and I had one that actually split in half at the track with the coolant pouring out of the overflow hose causing a spin! End of my event, obviously.
__________________
James now has: 2008 987S 6 speed
Crashed: 2010 987.2 pdk in speed yellow!
Sold to a cool racer chick: 2004 986 S
YouTube channel: the PORSCHE as seen by NewArt
www.youtube.com/channel/UCohdrH2xHTklM1thxk0KKOQ?
NewArt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2018, 05:02 PM   #6
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Portland, TX
Posts: 55
I just went through this very same issue. A shop had recently replaced the relief valve on the tank and neglected to remove the original o-ring. So I had two o-rings in place and both were mangled due to them trying to tighten everything down.

Pelican hooked me up with o-ring dimensions (47x4) and Pep Boys hooked me up with free o-rings. 5 minute job to replace it, but be careful tightening down those screws into the plastic housing.

Got the low coolant level light for a few days even after topping off, but I had lost nearly a gallon of coolant and figured I had air in the system.
Aanic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2018, 05:48 PM   #7
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Quebec, Qc, canada
Posts: 93
Could also be the tank cap. It happened to me. Replaced the cap and the problem is now solved.

If the part number on the blue cap end with a "-01" then this is your number one suspect. It must end with the revised part number: "-04"
pomerlo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2018, 06:27 PM   #8
MWS
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Northern Indiana
Posts: 410
I also agree with cap, check what version you have....besides, it's the easiest thing to check (and most likely the issue).
MWS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2018, 08:25 PM   #9
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: California
Posts: 71
thanks for the great response! I can't wait to try your suggestions. You guys are amazing.
boxsterboxster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2018, 08:47 PM   #10
Registered User
 
Cunningr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Spain
Posts: 985
If inside carpet is dry probably the cap. I had some overflow last year cause the service was done in oct. Fluide was on max, so when hot weather hit 42c had some overflow, stopped after it dropped a bit below max.loose or cross threaded cap will cause it to over flow some also.
__________________
2000 Boxster S Ocean Blue Metalic
Cunningr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2018, 10:26 PM   #11
Registered User
 
BirdDog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 419
I'll chime in with probably the cap, especially if the part number on the cap doesn't end in -04. If it doesn't, change it anyway. It's cheap (under $15). If you get it at a local Porsche dealer remember to ask for your PCA discount. Also be careful when installing the cap. The same thing can happen if the cap isn't screwed back on quite right.
__________________
2001 Boxster S - Speed Yellow, Black Leather, Tiptronic, Jake Raby rebuilt 3.2 with IMS Solution
BirdDog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2018, 04:52 AM   #12
1998 Boxster Silver/Red
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: 92262
Posts: 2,915
Thanks, NA. Hadn't considered that valve/o-rings as a wear item. Nice to know.

I did fail to reveal that I replaced the cap with the current part.

Man, I love this forum.
__________________
1998 Porsche Boxster
Starter986 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2018, 05:27 AM   #13
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Toronto
Posts: 57
I'm in agreement with the other forum members on replacing the coolant cap. It's a cheap step to avoiding coolant loss.
ShortRound is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2018, 10:32 AM   #14
Registered User
 
pilut2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Peterborough Ontario Canada
Posts: 148
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by Starter986 View Post
Thanks, NA. Hadn't considered that valve/o-rings as a wear item. Nice to know.
I had a similar coolant dump that was caused by a crimped o-ring in the pressure relief valve. I sourced a replacement locally for $5. As others have noted- it is a 5 minute job to take the valve apart to inspect the O-rings- there are two. Just be careful not to strip the screws when you re-assemble it.
__________________
1999 Boxster, Ocean Blue Metallic-grey top.
LN IMS dual row-, Ben's short shift kit

Last edited by pilut2; 06-08-2018 at 12:04 PM.
pilut2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2018, 10:47 PM   #15
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: CO
Posts: 989
Yeah, another nod for a cap... or there was an air bubble trapped somewhere that finally found its way out. My $$ is on the cap.
Geof3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-10-2018, 10:42 AM   #16
Jay
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: DC metro
Posts: 43
I had exact similar issue. I took out carpet - no coolant. Borrowed pressure testing kit from autozone, no pressure drop or leak. Changed the cap to .4 I had .1 . Added Porsche coolant (that's what car had), burped the system and leak is gone for good. Pistonhead has a step by step instruction on how to burp the system.
__________________
2003 Boxster-S.
Black with Tan interior.
jay2015 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-10-2018, 03:48 PM   #17
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: California
Posts: 71
coolant cap and o rings on the way, thanks again everyone.
boxsterboxster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-16-2018, 08:21 PM   #18
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: California
Posts: 71
problem solved! new cap did the trick, thanks again to the boxster bros!
boxsterboxster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-18-2018, 06:47 AM   #19
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: INDIANA
Posts: 16
Garage
I also had similar problem solved w/updated cap 2004 S. Installed new water pump (twice)yesterday. 1st time I had folded up the gasket but knowing I'm a clutz I had ordered an extra. Flushed coolant system and installed new Tstat and housing. One new radiator hose and have a new motor mount but was not strong enough to break any of the bolts loose? Anyone else installing water pump for the first time should watch youtube video by Ben Burner for his "FRANKENWRENCH" works great for that one bolt you cant reach!!
STRANGEPOLLY is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-19-2018, 07:04 AM   #20
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Lansing MI
Posts: 15
I seem to have a similar problem. Carpet in trunk is normal, when I pull it up including the foam type insulation it is sticky on the metal under the foam. I presume that this is coolant?

JohnRedS is offline   Reply With Quote
Post Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 08:52 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page