Replacing coolant tank
 

I found out that I have a minor leak in my coolant tank and have been studying the directions that other boxster owners have posted.

One question I have is why are folks removing the spring clamps from the engine side of the car? Why not just disconnect the 6 hoses from the trunk side and leave it at that? It looks like they all can be reached from the trunk side. What am I missing?

couple issue you see when you start taking it apart.

The elusive 4th hose on the bottom of the tank that you have to undo on the engine side.
The fact that part of the tank is tucked behind the manifold and held in place with a screw.
The oil fill pipe doesn't give you much wiggle room.

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Could you just dremel the part with the oil fill tube. It seems like it would be much easier to just cut it away. Can you reach that one bottom right hose (on the engine side) without removing all of the other hoses or is it virtually impossible? It looks like you cut out an opening for the dipstick as well.

I may do my reverse camera as well since I'll be tapping the firewall.

I planned to do this, but due to time constraints I paid my indy to do this job, and now consider it money well spent. I watched. Looked like PITA even with prior experience and a lift.
Get a new oil filler tube. Mine was cracked, this is very common, and during this process is the time to replace it.
Get a cable-operated hose clamp tool, you will be glad you did.
Drill or dremel out the hole for the dipstick before you install the reservoir, when it is easier to clean up the generated plastic debris to keep it out of your engine.
Remove the huge wiring grommet to improve access.
Finally, consider getting a cheap inspection scope with an assistant to hold/aim it if working by feel concerns you.
Best of luck!

Here's my version ...
 

Replace Coolant Reservoir

Happy Boxstering,
Pedro

Pedro, your web site is my first stop when attempting DIY projects. I planned on taking it to an indy as they are only charging $500 inclusive of the part, but I don't really trust any of them to correct the problem and if they do something new will begin leaking. Ill have remove the hardtop and feel around in there to see how much room I have.

Thanks for the info. I'm going in

Tank replacement complete
 

Wow that was a chore. It would be easy if it were not for the elusive fourth hose.
I cannot believe some brilliant german engineer has not re designed that fitting to come into the trunk. An"S" pipe and a 90 on the tank mold and it's done.
It would be so efficient since the tank could be replaced in less than an hour from the trunk side.
I studied up and ordered parts.
Once begun I modified the procedure so that hose was the only one to test my patience.
I cut the oil filler tube.

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The PVC cutters sliced it nicely.
They do not create debris that could contaminate the lubrication system.
I used industrial heat shrink when putting it back together.
The oil fill tube is an odd shape so the heat shrink conformed nicely.
I have not received any CEL's or had any vacuum type performance problems indicated in the 100 miles since the repair.
I did replace the elusive fourth hose as I cut the old one off to aid in removing the clamps and tank.
Getting the new hose on was the trying part.
I replaced many of the spring clamps as well.

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I replaced the level sensor as well (since I was in there.).
As you can see I did label the tank, the hoses and the manifold so the fluids now go where they always went.
A red china marker worked very well on all of the materials.

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I moved the clamshell up and out of the way to provide more access to the engine bay.
I taped padding onto sharp components that were gouging my flesh

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I did a little housekeeping while I was recalculating


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The tank replacement job was the PITA that has been documented,but with patience, some tools and a snifter or two of a good single malt it can be done!
Yes I will need to go to confession for the things I said about the engineer that thought this was a good design



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Thanks for all the information and tips on the tank replacement.
The weather has been spectacular! Dropped the top and I'm on the road again.