Mr. Z.

a couple of weeks ago, a hose busted on my car. i replaced it and all was fine. around the same time i was trying to replace my thermoswitch and couldn't finish the job(didn't have proper socket/torque wrench) and the system wasn't really properly bled. around this time a coolant leak showed up, it was running off the bottom back of the engine, i couldn't see where it was coming from tho. my mechanic cleaned it all up and flushed the system and tried to find it himself but to no avail....what's more, there is no longer any coolant loss....i've been driving it around and all is fine(crossing my fingers). Could air in the system have caused this....or what? it's weird. i thought maybe it could be internal at first since we couldn't find it, but i was told the head gaskets break rarely on these cars.....any thoughts? thnx guys. <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

Bri Bro

The fan can blow coolant everywhere. Just keep an eye on it for the next couple of week.

Danno

Keep your eyes on the heater valve and hoses near the back between the engine and the firewall. If they go, you might even need a new clutch...

Mr. Z.

i'm getting kinda scared here....it's still leaking, and i can't find where <img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[crying]" /> why would i need a new clutch if it's the heater valve? honestly, this is becoming one big headache....and I can't get an appt. at the Porsche shop till the week after this one either. can't even tackle the cam housing leak untill I establish this one. thnx

d richard

The heater valve is located above the bellhousing and when it leaks it can trash the clutch face. It starts slipping from the slimy coolant. Although if it was me and that happened I might try to take off some clutch material the old fashioned way considering the pita a clutch change is.

Bri Bro

Why not go to any good garage and have then cap off the heater lines. If the leak stops you know were the problem is. Then you can take your time and schedule the repair when it fits your schedule. You really don't need heat for a while.

Mr. Z.

it's been leaking for a couple weeks and I've been topping it off....should i still be driving the car? the clutch seems to be perfect still...there is no coolant in the oil so i dont think it's a head-gasket....it leaks even w/ the car being off for a day or more. any techniques on checking 4 this...the heater valve seems tough to be sure it's coming from there... danke

Sprewell17

The coolant can leak from that heater controll valve easily and not be seen. I suggest you get a small piece of hollow pipe. clamp it in place instead of the valve. If the leak stops that was your answer. The Valves cost around $17

Mr. Z.

is this valve tough to replace?...and i can't find it in the haynes manual...am i just really tired or something? <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" /> oh, and what's involved in capping the heating system off so i know what to tell the guy at my local shop and sound intellegent about it....can i jsut as easily cap it off myself? thnx...sorry if i sound a little tedious.

Bri Bro

It is easy to replace but very hard to access. Get under the hood and go looking for it.

Sprewell17

On my 968 it was in real tight quarters. Took me about 30 minutes to do. I think its in a different spot though on 944's

special tool

It is in the engine bay attached to the center of the firewall 3.5 inches below the hood seal - perfectly aligned so that in the event of leakage, you have a .0000000000006% chance of coolant not saturating your clutch.

Mr. Z.

question: if this has been going on w/ my car for over two weeks, and my clutch was getting drenched, wouldn't it be messed up by now or no? danke

d richard

Just a stupid thought-- more common on chevy's (sorry) but how is your heater core. I had an old chevy that had a coolant drain (very minor) and I couldn't figure it out until I felt the carpet on the passenger side and it was soaked.

I'm not familiar with the heater cores on these cars but maybe?

Have you tried pressurizing the cooling system without the car running? You might be able to hear bubbles or air escaping from somewhere. There's a pump that attaches to the overflow tank. I don't remember if this will work on these cars or maybe the thermostat is in the way??

Mr. Z.

if i have the heating system bolcked off 4 now, will it isolate all of this? i can start from there. thnx what should i block off and how?