35thSLP

Ok, I got back in town and took the car out for a lazy drive around town (20-30 miles) and when I got back to the corp apartment and shut the car off I notice a noise like a motor running front left (reservoir area). I get out of the car and there is about half a cup of anti-freeze on the ground. I get back in start the car up to see if it is leaking and it isn't. Didn't run hot while I was out, and after waiting about an hour I went back out and restarted and let it get to operating temp and still not more leaking. Any ideas?

Peckster

Which car?

Coolant overflow often signals a bad head gasket.

35thSLP

The 951, No signs of overheating, the oil looks good and the coolant looks good.

TRWright

Did you top it off recently? It could have just expanded, and pushed out. Was the puddle under the area the coolant tank is in?

35thSLP

puddle was directly under the coolant tank. I just purchased the car about a month ago and the cooling system was flushed just before I bought it. but it has been fine until today.

Gator_86_951

The motor you heard was the turbo coolant pump. It runs for 30 seconds after shutoff and runs water through the center section of the turbo, to cool it off. Was this the first time you have gotten the car hot? I wouldn't be overly worried about it. Keep an eye on the coolant tank and see if you loose much more. It might have purged a little. Do you know if the coolant tank cap has been replaced recently/at all? The spring on those can get weak after time and allow coolant to purge when in fact it shouldn't be allowing it.

35thSLP

I'll keep an eye on it, maybe try and run down a new coolant tank cap. Is it best to get it from the dealer or will NAPA have it?

Gator_86_951

I am not sure where you can source it from. Just make sure it is the correct pressure rating. All it needs to be is the right size and the correct spring rate.

Curt911

time to buy an air-cooled Porsche

35thSLP

anyone know what the spring pressure should be?

alpenweissisnice

Sounds like perhaps you purged; I concur with the other posters. (My opinion and .50 will buy you a cup of coffee!) Just keep an eye on it...

I had a leak from the turbo water pump nipple, but there was nothing insignificant about it...

smokey

You need a 22 psi cap, which is unusually high. The OEM is a Behr 150, and it's worth staying withe the original cap. If you need to test, it should be a 22 psi cap. Your problem could be a tired cap, but also make sure it's tightened fully. I've had this problem in the past; the original caps are now almost 20 years old, so they should be replaced. I also always replace the overflow container if it's original; they have a tendency to break at awkward moments on the track.

Peckster

Good looking oil and coolant doesn't mean your head gasket is good.

My car did this once, when the head gasket was bad.

A rough idle on start-up would confirm it.

msaturbo

I had the same thing happen to me. I replaced the cap with a factory piece and it solved the problem.