Coolant tank

[Tailwind]

After a 45 mile run in the mountains, I noticed the low coolant warning. I check the tank and it was below the sensor.

Pulled the carpet and insulation. Coolant in truck.

Someone's been in there before...note loose bolt. Not too much coolant...

Cleaned everything off and filled reservoir to MIN with ~2/3 gal of distilled water.
Felt around backside seam and it's seeping. This morning I see a small puddle, no fluid from underneath, but seems originating from around the bolt and a thin line below the sensor. Never had a puddle under the car, so where'd so much coolant go?
Reading the articles on the DIY for the tank replacement, I don't want to tackle myself. What have members paid their Indies typically for the job?
TIA for your wisdom.

[Starter986]

I, too, would be interested in knowing, in today's $$, what might an indy charge for that hassle job.

Following...

[Newsguy]

I don't know about indies, but it was $1400 at the dealer last month. But we were lucky they had one in stock after a $500 40-mile tow out of the mountains! In that case, one doesn't complain.

[rfuerst911sc]

Just based on the color of your tank ( discolored ) it is showing classic signs of leaking . The plastic tends to get brittle with age and heat cycles and then either a crack forms or a seam starts to leak . Nature of the beast , would be cool if someone made a direct fit out of aluminum . It is a pain in the neck job but with the proper tools and a lift about a 3-4 hour job .

[dxterity]

I can tell you exactly how much, $950 CDN (taxes in). I had my indie shop do this just last week. $450 CDN for the reservoir + time.

[A8ked]

I bought a tank and started to try and do it myself, but it was looking too difficult (poor access). So had my local independent do it instead. They billed me $660. for the labor. They commented that they don't like doing them either.

I try to do most repairs myself, this one was an exception for me. That said it seems many owners have done it successfully.

[thstone]

My indie charged $650 last fall. Real Porsche reservoir is $350 + $300 labor.

[Tailwind]

A friend of my Cousin is a former aircraft mechanic, as well as many other talents in the automotive field. He perused a few articles and replaced the tank for $250.00. I bought him the Cable Hose Clamp Pliers as well. He was very meticulous about it, and did still have some grief, but prevailed. This wasn't the first time the tank had been replaced, and he noted that the Oil Filler Tube in the engine compartment side had silicone on it. Good thing no bits came off!. The tank has "Geiger Technik 996 106 047 08" on it.
So the whole job cost me ~$760.00 all in with new cap, level sensor, tank (of course) and a gallon of antifreeze.

[Rob175]

My "indy" just replaced my 1998 Boxster's tank 2 weeks ago and he charged me $1,200 (OEM Porsche tank). I'm not a DYI guy so I paid the price. The old tank was yellowed and developed spider cracks on the bottom. The spider cracks would expand once the tank became pressurized and would "weep" coolant which eventually would find there way through the trunk and onto the garage floor. Unfortunately, the tank replacement came on the heels of a water pump replacement ($1,200 OEM Porsche water pump). It was an expensive month but I have to admit that in my 15 years of owning, it's never cost me anything other than the typical tires, brakes and oil changes....so I'm fine.