Coolant ! light
10-12-2014, 10:07 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Coolant ! light
Turned the 1988 S4 over this morning and up popped the Coolant ! light. 60k on the clock.
Looked at the overflow. Some coolant in the tank. No obvious BIG leaks of fluid. outside of tank looks dry. Seeing the underside of the tank is tough but doesn't feel wet. No obvious leakage under the car (we have been dry here in AZ finally). Added 1 L reverse osmosis water. Restart. Coolant light turns off.
Operating temperatures have been in the lower 1/2, even when the cooling fans are operating normally and with AC on. Working as normal. All hoses were replaced with the WP/TB service 16 months ago. No radiator or hose leaks have been found since. No obvious leak signs on the engine, around the WP, or
I'm assuming I might have a small crack in the overflow tank and it and the sensor should be replaced.
Anybody have opinions on 928motorsports aluminum tank vs Porsche OEM plastic?
Do I change it once forever, or until the next plastic one goes out?
Brian
Looked at the overflow. Some coolant in the tank. No obvious BIG leaks of fluid. outside of tank looks dry. Seeing the underside of the tank is tough but doesn't feel wet. No obvious leakage under the car (we have been dry here in AZ finally). Added 1 L reverse osmosis water. Restart. Coolant light turns off.
Operating temperatures have been in the lower 1/2, even when the cooling fans are operating normally and with AC on. Working as normal. All hoses were replaced with the WP/TB service 16 months ago. No radiator or hose leaks have been found since. No obvious leak signs on the engine, around the WP, or
I'm assuming I might have a small crack in the overflow tank and it and the sensor should be replaced.
Anybody have opinions on 928motorsports aluminum tank vs Porsche OEM plastic?
Do I change it once forever, or until the next plastic one goes out?
Brian
10-12-2014, 10:43 PM
#2
Vegas, Baby!
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Water evaporates. You'll have to add some distilled water every once in a while. Mine sat in the garage since last November, and I had to add some water, about a pint. It's normal.
BTW, everything in my cooling system is new including the radiator.
BTW, everything in my cooling system is new including the radiator.
10-13-2014, 08:53 AM
#3
Two possibilities, you have a leak or there was an air bubble that finally made its way to the reservoir. If you get the engine up to temperature and them shut it down, when sniffing around do you smell the telltale odor of coolant?
Hugo
Hugo
10-13-2014, 10:27 AM
#5
Team Owner
the three most likely leak points in a 928 ,
the heater control valve and short hose, replace these parts if they are over 5 years old.
the right top of the radiator where the flange is crimped, can be verified by white crusty deposits that run down the tank.
Coolant tank/ cap if your tank is tan or turning brown it might be time to replace the tank and cap
the heater control valve and short hose, replace these parts if they are over 5 years old.
the right top of the radiator where the flange is crimped, can be verified by white crusty deposits that run down the tank.
Coolant tank/ cap if your tank is tan or turning brown it might be time to replace the tank and cap
10-13-2014, 10:30 AM
#6
Thread Starter
No sweet smell of coolant. Still a lingering smell of oil. One of the nuts on the OPG needed to be tightened last week for a small oil drip and oil smell after shutdown. Guess those silicone OPG are touchy…not too tight or lose or you get a seep.
On the tanks, I like the factory no see 'em look. But like the idea of no replace 'em too. Was trolling for any issues or installation problems/tips.
On the tanks, I like the factory no see 'em look. But like the idea of no replace 'em too. Was trolling for any issues or installation problems/tips.
10-13-2014, 10:40 AM
#7
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Site Sponsor
Stan (Mr Merlin) is right on about the leak points. With the engine hot, get a good flashlight and look very closely at the RH plastic radiator tank under/near the hose connection for a very small leak.
