Coolant Leak - help diagnose
#16
Drifting
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This scenario has just been gone thru....do a search under the caption of "coolant leak" and you'll see how I fixed it for $168 for the tank...and another $16.00 for an extra coolant sensor in case you break yours getting the tank out. As it turns out I didn't break the sensor. It took about 3 hours for me being careful...but I'm not very adept at DIY's...but you can do it if you look for the DIY and follow it....believe me, I didn't think I could do it , but I did. These forums are worth their weight in gold. You'll feel a sense of satisfaction after you successfully do it yourself............Chuck
#17
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Originally Posted by ElTorrente
I don't have enough light to look at my engine, but when I got home it was REALLY starting to leak. It was smoking for a good 10minutes after I parked, and pretty fast dripping on on the ground.
I looked underneath and the coolant didn't seem isolated to any one part. There was coolant on the left-rear header pipe, and there was also a couple hoses right around there that were wet with coolant, and the drips came from a few different places. I popped the hood and I could see a couple spots where coolant was on top of the engine- perhaps splashed or sprayed there (?). The leak put coolant on the left side of the engine, but I can't be certain where it was from. If the water pump is on the left side, also- it seems like it could be just as likely a candidate. I thought I located the water pump, but it was dark - is it toward the bottom of the engine on the left?
Now I don't think I make it to AGA safely, considering how much it was leaking tonight. I don't want to risk it, so I may just take it to the dealer or A1 auto (they sell and fix porsches and other imports- can't remember their exact name, but it's right up the street on Mira Mesa).
I looked underneath and the coolant didn't seem isolated to any one part. There was coolant on the left-rear header pipe, and there was also a couple hoses right around there that were wet with coolant, and the drips came from a few different places. I popped the hood and I could see a couple spots where coolant was on top of the engine- perhaps splashed or sprayed there (?). The leak put coolant on the left side of the engine, but I can't be certain where it was from. If the water pump is on the left side, also- it seems like it could be just as likely a candidate. I thought I located the water pump, but it was dark - is it toward the bottom of the engine on the left?
Now I don't think I make it to AGA safely, considering how much it was leaking tonight. I don't want to risk it, so I may just take it to the dealer or A1 auto (they sell and fix porsches and other imports- can't remember their exact name, but it's right up the street on Mira Mesa).
Or get AAA to tow you to AGA perhaps?
#19
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Originally Posted by 99firehawk
leaking fast is never the coolant tank.
either the cap failed or the water pump failed or you damaged a hose
either the cap failed or the water pump failed or you damaged a hose
The cap has been redesigned, and costs less than $20. You might want to change this first.
If you replace the tank, you'll want to upgrade to the newer cap anyway.
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So the cap is a quick check:
New and old caps side by side here:
The new version (right) has been revised and will last many more years without dumping the coolant.
New part number should be 996 106 447 01 and lists for around $15.00
New and old caps side by side here:
![](http://boxster.wikia.com/images/a/a0/Coolantcaps.jpg)
The new version (right) has been revised and will last many more years without dumping the coolant.
New part number should be 996 106 447 01 and lists for around $15.00
#21
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Well it turns out it's "just" a hose. That's cool and all, but boy what an annoyance. It's my only car, so I'm out of commision for now until I can replace this cheap part.
The name of the place up my street that I thought was "a-1" is actually AJ USA, which I guess has a nice facility up there, so I think I'll just have it towed (like 2 miles) and have them just do it for me. I'm just annoyed so I'll pay for the labor and have them take care of it.
Here is the culprit:
It's just resting against the engine, and actually isn't attached securly. There is a small diameter tube that comes out of that part of the engine that the hose clamps to, but that seems to have cracked and come off.
![](http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/eltorrente/car/HosedHose001.jpg)
Didn't realize it was so blurry, but inside the hose is the part that it is supposed to be attached to. I was hoping to temp attach it to something, but there really isn't anything I can secure the hose to now.
The name of the place up my street that I thought was "a-1" is actually AJ USA, which I guess has a nice facility up there, so I think I'll just have it towed (like 2 miles) and have them just do it for me. I'm just annoyed so I'll pay for the labor and have them take care of it.
Here is the culprit:
It's just resting against the engine, and actually isn't attached securly. There is a small diameter tube that comes out of that part of the engine that the hose clamps to, but that seems to have cracked and come off.
![](http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/eltorrente/car/HosedHose001.jpg)
Didn't realize it was so blurry, but inside the hose is the part that it is supposed to be attached to. I was hoping to temp attach it to something, but there really isn't anything I can secure the hose to now.
![](http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y104/eltorrente/car/HosedHose002.jpg)
#22
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Yeah, I just hope it isn't the colant tank which I just had replaced less than 2 years ago.
Originally Posted by cdodkin
It's just extended mileage issues - **** happens I guess
get it checked/fixed before it goes all the way
get it checked/fixed before it goes all the way
#24
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Originally Posted by cdodkin
AJ USA are good - nice that they are so local to you.
How much coolant did you loose - any signs of overheating when you were driving?
How much coolant did you loose - any signs of overheating when you were driving?
I lost about a gallon from the day driving about 10miles total. It started smoking when I reached operating temp, but never went above between the "8" and "0". I live only a few miles from work luckily.
I believe that it was a crack in the fitting that the hose was attached to, and when I saw where it was leaking from and jiggled the hose, it broke the rest of the way (it just came right off with no effort). Now obviously I would lose a heck of a lot more fluid, since it's all the way off now.
I thought I could just jury-rig it to get to the shop, but the bracket the fitting was on has a metal piece coming from the side that is flush with the top of it, so I can't get the hose securely on it.
I drive by AJ USA everyday almost, can't believe I forgot about them and don't use them. They often have a nice Porsche or two for sale on display outside. I think I'm going to kill two birds with one stone and have them install an exhaust while they're at it. I would be happy with either Fabspeed or GHL, and for some reason it seems like I remember someone around here talking about having had a GHL installed at AJ USA. I looked on their site and don't see GHL listed, and they closed today at 1:00 so I can't call, but I think I'm going to pull the trigger on one if they have it.