mrandell

So - I bought a 2008 Boxster S (RS60) with low mileage (13,xxx) about six months ago. So far, I've simply changed the oil as I did not know how long the original oil had been sitting around.


Nevertheless, I went on a 400 mile drive in hot weather (90-95 degrees) and spent about 2 hours in terrible L.A. traffic. I ran the A/C for about the second time since I've owned the car on this trip. When I drive the car on the following Monday, I get a squeaking sound that sounds a lot like a loose belt. I know this engine uses a chain so I wasn't too worried about changing the belt when I first bought the car.


I already have a spare belt and this weekend I changed it out. Original belt almost looks nicer than the Continental belt I put in the car. Perhaps the belt was changed out not too long ago. I run the engine without the cover on to make sure it is seated correctly and everything seems fine. Put carpet back in and start it up to bring the top back up and get a little bit of a squeaking sound. I turn the car off. Start it back up a few minutes later and no more squeaking sound. Take the car to the car wash, then go run some errands and get a low coolant warning. I immediately check the temperature and it's right at 175 and not moving at all. I start the car back up and limp back home. Pull off cap and there doesn't seem to be any steam or anything else that would indicate the car was overheating.


As I'm waiting on this extra special $60/gallon Porsche approved coolant to arrive from Amazon, I'm trying to "WebMD" this problem.


I've come to three possible conclusions:

• Coolant tank is cracked somehow and is leaking on the belt
• Water pump is failing and leaking on the belt
• Everything is fine and I simply need to top off the coolant

I'm waiting on this magical coolant from Amazon, so I'm not sure what to do in the meantime other than obsess over it.


Any other ideas of what might be wrong?

terbiumactivated

Don't be surprised if the squeaking is a loose spark plug it could however also be the water pump, the mileage is low but these pumps have a polymer impeller that can break down over time. It's important to check because the pieces can travel and block coolant passages. You mentioned the belt you removed looked perfect so where is the fear of leakage on said belt coming from just the low coolant level? When you ran it cover off were you looking at the water pump for any leakage? At the mileage you are sitting at I'd top off the coolant (follow the manual instructions about the cap during this procedure to allow the system to bleed itself of air bubbles). Keep an eye on the temperature gauge afterwords place some paper under the car, it makes finding leaks a little easier, if it's not overheating, leaking or losing fluid after you top it, then enjoy driving it.

mrandell

Thanks for your reply Terbium. The fear is simply coming from another thread I read where the squeaking noise was coming from a the drive belt that was getting coolant on it from a cracked reservoir. Porsche specialist said they certainly do replace those, but if it really was a cracked reservoir, the coolant would come out almost immediately.


I looked at every pulley on the car while it was running, but the water pump is pretty far down there. Didn't see anything noticeable, but I could have missed it I suppose.


I'll be picking up some coolant tonight and I'll top is off, run the car for a few minutes and see if anything is coming out. If not, I'll check back again in the morning after leaving some paper down there to see if anything is coming out.


I have an appointment at the dealership to change out plugs this Wednesday. I'm nearly certain the car has the original plugs in it, but at 16,900 miles, I wasn't too worried about it. My bigger worry is the old plugs will get stuck in the heads. Again, I'm probably over-worrying about the car at this point.


How do you feel about letting plugs go longer? I've read in previous threads that plugs installed from the factory almost never seize. It's been about 9 years since it was put together.

terbiumactivated

Haha It's funny you mention the plugs, I've worried about the same thing regarding their removal. I won't be surprised if the new plugs stop your squeak, not because they're new but due to the restoration of factory torque specifications. Personally, I think the plugs will go much further than 17K, my Ford plugs have 44K on them and it runs perfectly, I always use anti seize compound on all plugs and the factory torque spec, so not that worried about removal. I agree with you on the coolant tank, if it was cracked you would have lost enough by now to see huge spikes on the temperature gauge. Speaking of which that is what you want to avoid, if it overheats after you fill it for any reason, let it cool down don't run hot. If you are going to try the paper under it make sure to let the AC water sweat dry up first and remember with the ground effects plastic under the car the evidence of fluid and where it's actually coming from may be different. Bring a dozen doughnuts to the service department when you drop it off and ask them to look it over, usually works like a charm.

mrandell

I remember having a water pump die on me in a Subaru in a real bad neighborhood in Houston (I had a storage unit there). I just limped it along so that we could get out of there. Entire plastic radiator melted and was a disaster. Should have just taken my chances and left it there. I'll never drive a car with overheating problems one inch ever again.


My eyes were glued to the temperature gauge on the way home this weekend in the Porsche. 175F the whole way and I didn't get it above 2,000 RPMs which almost got me shot on these California highways.


Thanks for the help. I'll start really worrying when I see big pools of coolant or if it's losing any on a daily basis. Just writing this out made me think that long drive through L.A. traffic for 1.5 hours at 9 mph may be the culprit. If the outside temp is 90, the temp on the 405 freeway is about 110.

terbiumactivated

You'll be fine, probably just a little low on coolant, keep us posted when you get it straight report back.

Pep!RRRR

See how much coolant you really have to add. I had that warning once on my 981 and only needed a liter of water to bring the little level indicator back to midrange. Never had another problem and that was 4 years ago.

r553

Remember the temperature in this model is dumbed down by software so it reads 175 all the time. The water pump went in my 987 Cayman at 19K miles.

You might remove the rear engine under tray and look for signs of dried coolant, it is pinkish-white.

How were all the idler pulleys, AC compressor and alternator? They all have bearings that can fail.

Good luck

mrandell

So - brought home coolant from a independent, mixed it and it dripped out - about a quart per 5 minutes. Something is leaking. Now I'm worried I drove it on zero coolant. Hopefully the temp gauge does something. Again, I opened the radiator cap and didn't smell anything burnt and no steam came out.

The car is going to be flat bedded (thank you AAA) to a qualified independent on the 31st. Until then - it looks like I'll just wait.

I bought a new WP, Gasket and Plugs to get done as well.

I'll keep everyone posted.

Michael

mrandell

Never thought a car would not show an accurate temperature reading - kicking myself for driving it with the warning on.

Probably okay - hopefully the pump comes off with a whole impeller.

Spokayman

Michael, I've been following this thread and confused about what you're seeing. Where is the cooling dripping out from? The water pump area? The coolant tank?
You're thinking there is little to no coolant left in the car?

Yeah, it does seem like you should be taking the car to a shop at this point.

mrandell

Well, I noticed the unusual sound while starting the car at my parking garage. Squeaky belt sound. Thinking it was explicitly that, I parked it at home and changed the drive line belt. Everything sounded fine when restarted without the engine cover. Upon reinstalling of the cover and carpet, I heard the same sound which promply went away after about 5 seconds. Drive to car wash and washed my car and returned (1.4 miles total). Next day I drive to a meat market 2.4 miles away. No problem. Start the drive to target and get the low coolant signal. Pull over immediately and turn off the car. Look at temp and still at 175. Start car back up and limp back home. Open cap when home to no steam or any other sign of trouble. Car has sit since then when I put more coolant into the engine and watched it leak out. That's where I am.

mrandell

It'd be worth taking off the firewall and pouring coolant through. Hopefully just the water pump.

mrandell

UPDATE - Had the water pump changed today. Everything seemed fine until I got the same low coolant notification on the dash as I headed in to work. Went ahead and let the car cool down. Walked to a local shop and bought a new radiator cap. Filled up with more coolant and it is barely dripping (weaping) at all. Water pump pully was worn and was hitting a bolt which is why it was making the squeaking sound initially.

So, I'm going to try and start it up in a few minutes and see if coolant is spewing anywhere. If not, I'll coast back home. Not really sure what the next steps are.

Pep!RRRR

When you drain/recharge the coolant there can be air pockets that take awhile to work out of the system. You might be fine at this point.