any coolant leak from a 99 996 is serious cause for concern. it is a strong indication of oil/coolant mix and serious engine problems, goood luck.

the goldish/orange colored coolant is the newer technology, long life coolant. the green coolant is the older, shorter life stuff. you should never mix these in your cooling systems, and always use the goldish colored stuff in your p-car.

and to answer your initial question, any sort of coolant leak indicates a problem!

Thanks to all ...
 

Well,

Got it back from the dealer. It was the coolant bottle for sure (not sure if I mentioned this.. I have slept nd worked WAY to much since.) They replaced it mostly under my extended warranty. I had to pay the deductible and some misc shop fees (well they gave me the car back... the warranty company still has not payed .. kind of curious how that will play out).

Got new coolant, new bottle and cap, no more stinky smell and no more drips after some weekend test drives and clean cardboard under the back of car to look for leaks...

looks like problem solved...

Odd question.. my last coolant bottle was a diffent color of plastic then my new one... my new one looks VERY translucent white compared to the last one. Not sure if they maybe changed materials or if it was that the other was discolored from aging... but the difference in color is MORE than subtle. On the up side... it is MUCH easier to see the coolant level with the desparate colors of the tank and the coolant now.

Be well all and happy new year...

01 996 coolant leak
 

I recently did some work to my car including water pump, belt, spark plugs, oil tubes and motor mounts. Anyhow, when I filled the coolant reservoir I overfilled it. I didn't think much of it. I went for an couple hour ride and checked under the car just to make sure everything was holding up. I noticed one drop of coolant, but the odd part is is was up towards the front of the engine near where it meets the tranny. Later that night, I took it out again for a 15 min. drive and noticed a larger amount of coolant on the ground- about 1/2 cup. I guess my question is has anyone had this experience where the fluid comes from the front of the engine? I've read conflicting things- that the coolant system is closed and doesn't have an overflow. I've also read that there is an overflow. If there is an overflow, where does it dump out. By the way, I park on a slight decline which of gravity had its way would move the coolant towards the exhaust, not the trans. It's been sitting since- no noticing drips, but I haven't looked underneath. Thanks! By the way, I'm aware of the problems with coolant tanks, I just don't think it's likely to be coming from there.

1) It's ALIIIIVE! Heh. Holy necrothread.
2) The system is sealed and shouldn't be venting any coolant. Either the tank is cracked - which you might have done when servicing the cooling system - or the cap needs replacing.

Looking at the list of stuff you did, I don't see anything that makes it obvious why coolant would be leaking in an unusual location. I'd check and make sure that your new pump isn't leaking and that the coolant isn't just running back along the motor and dripping from the lowest point...

The air-oil separator is up in the front where the trans meets the engine, and it has coolant running through it via 2 small hoses, so that could possibly be your leak.

The genuine Porsche coolant should be pink in color. That is what I bought at the dealer and my independent shop uses it as well.

New coolant should be pink ...
VW/audi , porsche or Pentosin sf ... Probably all the same stuff
If the coolant had been in the system for many years it might come out green as original dye fades away (or brown from leaking bottle). Hopefully no one mixed regular green coolant with the correct porsche stuff ...

There is an overflow. The cap (part # should end in .04) has a valve that will vent fluid into the drain and, depending on where the hose has been routed, it will drip down onto cyl #2 coil.

If you overfill the tank enough it will vent. Your level should be just above the "Min" line when the car is completely cold. It should be just below the "Max" line when completely warmed up. The square bail peg (vacuum break for help bleeding) will be fully extended.
two pics attached. 1 = bad cap, 2 = cracked 2003 tank.

+++ ^ This. Been there, done that.

What is the life of the newer coolant tanks ? Po replaced original tank in my 2002 - I think around 2006 - so mine is now 10 years old ...

Ever buy something with a "lifetime warranty"? I always ask...whose lifetime...mine? The thing? What? Mostly met with a shrug and I don't know...it's total BS.

It will last as long as it lasts...and then it will leak.