996garage

Hello,

I just purchased my first 99' 996 a couple months ago. A few times I've noticed a pool of light brown fluid dripping from my driver's side exhaust tip. It seems too watery to be oil, and it appears green when dripping off the exhuast. Is this normal coolant overflow from driving it hard?

I've attached a picture:

Patrick

Loose cap? I think "none" would be normal, even after hard driving.

Sloth

The early 996's had faulty coolant expansion tanks that would crack and leak. This is a known issue in the 99 models, some get them while others do not.

Itzkirb

Doesn't look very 'normal' to me. I'd have it checked.

996garage

Thanks for the comments... The coolent level is a bit low, so I'll have it checked out. Hopefully I won't have any problems with my "Repair Master" entended warranty covering it.

GRUENE

It's a cracked reservoir, for sure. I had 2 of these replaced under warranty in the first 6 months I owned the car. No problems last 3 years. Good luck!

Mark Wheeler

This is a recall item on early 996 models. It is fixed by replacing the coolant expansion tank. Some dealers will fix it on goodwill.

Mark

Loren

Both the early caps and tanks leaked. It could be either.

996garage

A replacement coolant tank cost me $635 for parts and labor.
(edit* - They showed me the tank and it had a crack in it. The tank ran me $250 + misc parts + $300 labor + tax, etc...)

F.Y.I. - I totally got screwed by my 3rd party Repair Master Warrantech extended warranty provider. After I bought the 996 I was told several times that the warranty automatically transfers over to the new owner. I read through the big warranty booklet but I must have missed the one line that said I have to file a transfer claim within 30 days of new ownership.

Well I've had the car for 2 months now, and after talking to Warrantech, they basically said I'm screwed and their warranty is no longer valid. They said there are no exceptions to the 30day rule. They said my only course of action is to have the previous owner cancel the warranty, and try and get back a partial refund of the warranty. That's total BS. Warrantech is the worst company I've ever had to deal with.

If I had known that my Warrantech warranty was useless, I would have done the install myself. Lesson learned... Make sure to read all the fine print on your warranty coverage booklets. Since then I have purchase the 1SourceAutoWarranty as a replacement.

P.S. - I also got the gold colored coolant fluid now. The green coolant was the older type they used to use.

Tbred911

I had the same problem.. my coolant bleeder valve was leaking.... the tank was ok... I have a 99 C2... first time it leaked.... dealer charged me 1 hr labor and $40 bucks for the part.... its not always a cracked tank.

TX996

All,

I have seen much mention of the early 996 collant issue. I have a 99 996 and occasionally smell coolant when I get done driving the car. I have not noticed the level problem but have replaced the cap (my dealer service tech just handed me one in case that was it... I cannot say enough about how supportive they are)

Many of you have mentioned that this is a "known problem".

Is there a TSB I can refference please or is this just kind of one of thoose lore things that I have to go hammer out with them?

Just trying to get some facts before I go... and thanks for all the information. I am very knew to the Porsche scene. My brother has been in it for ages and I am a recent NSX/S2000 convert. I drove a 996 and fell in love but am not used to the Porsche repair "experience".

I have had a coolant overflow in moderate driving conditions on a hot day in Texas but would not have thought of coolant bottle leak until you mentioned it here (my last car had a converted tank from plastic to aluminum to avoid this). such an important part should be durable. A blow or a leak can be fatal very quickly...esp in Texas.

Thanks in advance for anything you can offer....

Doug
1999- 996 Yellow

rdsii

looks like you may not have porsche anti-freeze. looks too green to me. You may want to have that checked!!

TX996

Well,

Dealer called me back today. Confirmed that is was the coolant bottle that was cracked and leaking on my MY99 996. I noticed it first by the smell of burning coolant when I would stop the car. Then I found a small puddle on the floor (about 1ft by 1 foot) on my pre-drive walk around and confirmed the coolant bottle was at the bottom of the visible bottle.

Extended warranty covered the repair (well I am told they are waiting on the payment from them today) minus my $100 deductible for the repair.

Add me to the list of the MY99 996 coolant bottle failures.

<shrug>

Riad

This was the same thing that happened to my 01 C4... it was under warranty. The temp light would blink... they had to fix it twice but it's fixed up now!

TX996

If you don't mind... and I know.. read the FAQ.... I noticed the comment on green coolant. Mine was a golden sort of color almost bronze... is that correct ? Deffinately not green... I know Porsche has a different coolant and wondered if that is what this was.

It is flushed I belive with this repair, If not I will shrug and probably do it myself with the reccomended coolant....

Thanks