PJA

Hey All, quick question.

Got back from work this evening and noticed that my passenger side radiator, or something near it, was hissing. I also noticed what looked like steam coming out of the gap between the front light and the bumper cover.

Did a little bit of digging around here, and determined it could be one of three problems:

1) The radiator is leaking coolant/damaged

2) A leak in the AC system (hose, compressor, etc.)

3) A snake in my car

Upon further investigation, it seemed like the the wall to the left of the radiator, but not the radiator itself, was wet. I attempted to dab it with a paper towel, but couldn't really get anything to stick - just what seemed like dirt.

Nothing was leaking from the bottom of the car. I'm going for an oil change next week, so I'll have my tech take a look. In the meantime, any ideas on what the issue could be?

Thanks!

Porsche_nuts

Probably #3 since nothing was wet and floor was dry

991carreradriver

Could very well be a failed or failing cooling fan, which can sound like similar if the bearings are failing. This can occur if the car has travel on any gravel roads and gravel get pushed in to the cooling fan housing through the slats. It should through a fault.

Let us know.

GSIRM3

Since you saw steam coming form the front bumper area, most likely you have a small leak in your radiator.

Homeles

If it a leak, you should be able to smell it. Nothing else smells like coolant.

PJA

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Interesting bit about the gravel - I do park my car in a gravel-y commuter lot occasionally, but it's not a huge amount of gravel.

I definitely smelt something, like a subtle, gassy smell, but it wasn't over powering in any way.

As for the snake... well I'll let the tech see what he can find.

991carreradriver

Could it be you were detecting the fan motor burning?

PJA

Just dropped the car off - just based on my description they think it could be the AC condenser, which apparently lives in the front of the car and is susceptible to debris. They won't know till they investigate more though.

Will update later.

991carreradriver

The radiator that you see, is the condenser.

PJA

Yup, spot on, took a rock to the condenser.

Unfortunately, this isn't covered by the warranty. Having the dealer fix and install the rennline mesh grills to prevent this silly-ness from happening again.

mtony

Was your A/C still cooling well?

PJA

The day of? Yes. The day after? No.

I think whatever the damage was probably leaked out all of the coolant from the system or something to that effect.

mtony

If a rock made a hole in the condenser, the A/C shouldn't cool for very long after that. The system is under pressure and leaks out pretty quickly.

LexVan

Claim on your insurance. It's a comprehensive claim, since your car struck a moving object on the roadway. It's not collision.

kayjh

Can I ask what the cost was to repair it?