veleno

First, the car is a '90 S2 and recently had the waterpump, timing belt, radiator & hoses, etc replaced.

What would make coolant leak out of the overflow tube after a drive?

The temps are fine and the car doesn't overheat. Maybe it needs a new cap maybe? Something else?

Eric_Oz_S2

I had the exact same problem. If the coolant has traces of oil or smells like fuel, then it is the head gasket or cracked head. The other possibility is faulty cap. And third is air in system (if you did not bleed the air out after running low.

bordin34

I've had that happen twice.
The first time I had a bad headgasket.
The second time I had a bad radiator cap that wouldnt hold any pressure.

konakat

Considering the work you just had done, it is probably just air in the coolant. Bleed it again, making sure you raise the front-end a bit and turn the temperature control to full-hot first.

veleno

Thanks for the info guys.

Is there a bleeding procedure posted somewhere that I can follow? I doubt the shop raised the front end to bleed the system, if they even did that.

konakat

I'm sure clarks-garage has one.

BeerBurner

Here's the Clark's Garage write up: http://www.clarks-garage.com/shop-manual/cool-02.htm

Anyway, when I had this happen it was the result of a bad cap. The recent work done would normally suggest that it may have something to do with it but, then again, maybe you're just now paying more attention to the level now that you had it done? Either way, a new cap is cheap insurance.

BB.

odurandina

like bb says, a good cap is important.

but it's probably the early stages of the headgasket going.

hot gas is superheating and expanding the coolant.

we all been there.

veleno

Is the head gasket the same as the valve cover gasket? If it is then that was replaced as well.

BeerBurner

Nope. Different parts.

I wouldn't jump to the head gasket yet. Bleed the system first and then put in a new radiator cap. Start with the easy stuff.

BB.

odonnell

To state the obvious, is the coolant level correct? If it's too high, it will overflow after it gets up to temp.

Most auto parts stores have a HG testing kit you can attach to the expansion tank and it tests for combustion particles in the coolant. It's not very expensive.

Jfrahm

If it pukes coolant after shutdown but not while you are driving around it's usually the coolant pressure cap. Proper bleeding is really important also. There are a few tricks that make it really easy to bleed.

I open the bleeder screw, clean off the end of the overflow hose and stick it in my mouth. Fill the tank and then put your hand over the filler neck and blow into the hose. Do that a few times and then start closing the bleeder screw between breaths after you get squirts of coolant out of the bleeder. Run the car up to temp and bleed any traces of air out of the system and you are set. With this method it's easy to get almost all the air out before driving the car, nicer than having a hot spot in the head and easier IMO. Rise out your mouth, perhaps with beer, and you should be OK.

Do not swallow coolant, or beer contaminated with coolant.

-Joel.

Dougs951S

This is extremely important advice, Ethanol is the medically accepted antidote and preventative for ethylene glycol poisoning!

odonnell

You forgot the most important step... finish the rest of the beer

william_b_noble

the bleed procedure is in the Porsche service manual, and it may also be in the owner's manual, I don't remember for sure - the owner's manual the last time I looked could be downloaded from Porsche, the service manual is on line (search for it) but some have said the links don't work any more - still it's worth a try.