Notices
996 Forum 1999-2005
Sponsored by:

Coolant Level and obsurd vanishings!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-20-2007 | 10:10 AM
  #1  
Desmodromic's Avatar
Desmodromic
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
Default Coolant Level and obsurd vanishings!

It seems that no matter what I do (topping the reservoir on a regular basis) the level of the coolant is at the Min. mark! What is going on? If there is a leak, it would eventually go below the Min mark. Any comments?

Many Thanks.
Old 12-20-2007 | 10:16 AM
  #2  
bella1's Avatar
bella1
Rennlist Member
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 4
From: Virginia Beach VA
Default Collant Level

Check to see if you have any oil in the coolant. You can tell because it would of course be on top of the coolant. I have that problem which has led to an engine replacement which is being done now. Oil was going into the coolant and the coolant was going out the exhaust I think. I have a 2001 996 3.4 L engine with 57,000 miles, 4000 of which was track DE driving.
Old 12-20-2007 | 10:19 AM
  #3  
jumper5836's Avatar
jumper5836
Nordschleife Master
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,536
Likes: 72
From: great white north
Default

Its probably over flowing it out, leave it below min and then check in a few days. It should still be at the same level.
Old 12-20-2007 | 10:37 AM
  #4  
BruceP's Avatar
BruceP
Drifting
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,508
Likes: 24
Default

Have you had it replaced lately?

I was AMAZED at how much I had to add afterward because of bubbles when I had a flush and fill done. But it did finally stabilize.
Old 12-20-2007 | 10:52 AM
  #5  
1999Porsche911's Avatar
1999Porsche911
Race Car
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,159
Likes: 7
From: Chicagoland
Default

On a COLD engine, fill it up to the top. Next time you run the engine to full warm, all air will be replaced with coolant when the engine cools overnight..... if that is your problem.
Old 12-20-2007 | 11:28 AM
  #6  
ScottArizona's Avatar
ScottArizona
Rennlist Member
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,259
Likes: 813
From: Phoenix-area, Arizona
Default

In the past I have had very slow coolant loss (as in max to min in over 6 months). I had recently replaced the coolant tank and cap, and no signs of leak and absolutely no signs of intermix. I eventually took the car to my mechanic to pressure test the system. After a few hours on the tester, absolutely no leaks. I chalked it up to air bubbles still working out (although I have heard that bubbles should not be a problem after a few drive cycles). BTW, I have a 99 tip with 81k.
Old 12-20-2007 | 11:42 AM
  #7  
cdodkin's Avatar
cdodkin
Drifting
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,442
Likes: 3
From: Another Ex pat Brit in SoCal
Default

Three items to note about the 996 coolant tank:

1) They have a habit of failing with small hairline cracks that slowly leak under pressure - often for months - before finally failing

2) The coolant cap was replaced under a recall - the old cap 'fails' and allows excess coolant to escape - later part # ends in 01 I believe

3) Even the updated cap is really easy to cross thread onto the tank, allowing coolant to leak out when pressurized - take a close look at the cap as it goes on.
Old 12-20-2007 | 11:45 AM
  #8  
JonesnSince78's Avatar
JonesnSince78
Advanced
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Virginia's Blue Ridge
Default

Didn't you just get a new motor? If so, maybe some trapped air is slowly rising to the tank.
Old 12-20-2007 | 11:52 AM
  #9  
gota911's Avatar
gota911
Newbies Hospitality Director
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 18,084
Likes: 34
From: Winston-Salem, NC
Default

Originally Posted by cdodkin
Three items to note about the 996 coolant tank:

1) They have a habit of failing with small hairline cracks that slowly leak under pressure - often for months - before finally failing

2) The coolant cap was replaced under a recall - the old cap 'fails' and allows excess coolant to escape - later part # ends in 01 I believe

3) Even the updated cap is really easy to cross thread onto the tank, allowing coolant to leak out when pressurized - take a close look at the cap as it goes on.
CD - A guy posted a similar problem recently, but could smell coolant, after he had replaced the coolant tank. I asked it he had also replaced the cap and if he hadn't done so, the part number of the new cap would end in 01.

He reported back in a couple of days and said he got a new cap and it solved the problem, but the new cap part number ended on 02. Apparently there is a new version out there now.

Last edited by gota911; 12-20-2007 at 03:40 PM.
Old 12-20-2007 | 11:59 AM
  #10  
cdodkin's Avatar
cdodkin
Drifting
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,442
Likes: 3
From: Another Ex pat Brit in SoCal
Default

Originally Posted by gota911
He reported back in a couple of days and said he got a new car and it solved the problem,
Wow - I would hope buying a new car would solve the problem!

Some people just throw money at problems....
Old 12-20-2007 | 03:39 PM
  #11  
gota911's Avatar
gota911
Newbies Hospitality Director
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 18,084
Likes: 34
From: Winston-Salem, NC
Default

Originally Posted by cdodkin
Wow - I would hope buying a new car would solve the problem!

Some people just throw money at problems....
OOOPS! Typo alert!

That should have read "said he got a new cap and it solved the problem,"


CD - That was a great response, though!

Last edited by gota911; 12-20-2007 at 06:06 PM.
Old 12-20-2007 | 03:51 PM
  #12  
Ahsai's Avatar
Ahsai
Nordschleife Master
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,328
Likes: 68
Default

Not sure if it's your problem but I remember seeing post about very slow coolant leak onto exhasut and get evaporated (so not detectable).
Old 12-20-2007 | 04:27 PM
  #13  
cowboyzx6's Avatar
cowboyzx6
Instructor
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 99
Likes: 2
From: DC
Default

I actually had a really slow coolant leak a few months ago. It was determined that it was coming from a porous engine case. Dealership applied some JB Weld type stuff to it and hopefully it will fix it for good. I will go back in a month or so to do another pressure test to confirm. If it didn't do the trick, I am going to be stuck with an engine case replacement.
Old 12-20-2007 | 05:23 PM
  #14  
hwk72's Avatar
hwk72
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 814
Likes: 1
From: Zurich, Switzerland
Default Could be a waterpump leak

I had my coolant tank (+cap) and waterpump replaced end last year; coolant level dropped 6 months thereafter to min. - no obvious coolant loss; issue was a leak at the new waterpump. Got my 2nd waterpump in 1 year (on warranty) - issue solved.
Old 12-20-2007 | 05:28 PM
  #15  
pat056's Avatar
pat056
Rennlist Member
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,702
Likes: 1
From: Society Hill, SC
Default

I didn't catch Tim's mistake, but had to laugh.
I can see someone buying a new car to stop that darned leak!


Quick Reply: Coolant Level and obsurd vanishings!



All times are GMT -3. The time now is 05:28 AM.