Get a used oil analysis kit ( Blackstone labs or?) send off a sample of your oil. High Sodium content indicates coolant in oil.

 

The area of coolant leak leaves residue behind, that is the good leak indicator otherwise have the cooling system is pressure tested. Could just simply be the water pump going bad, happened on my other cars where a leak is not present under idle.

I would also change the oil for a piece of mind and look for 'water' droplets since you just bought the car. I assume a PPI inspection was not done before you bought 996.

Good Luck.

 

The in-dash temp gage may not be that sensitive. They are generally dampened.

Unless you are monitoring coolant temp using an OBD data viewer/code reader connected to the OBD2 port and comparing the actual coolant value to the in-dash gage's needle location you don't know what the temp really is.

Also, if the car is sitting idling with the A/C on this will keep the radiator fans on all the time and the coolant temp will remain rather low and stable.

Even if the A/C is off the fans come on (at 212F is my info) and run until the coolant temp drops to 205F. This rise and fall of temperature may not register all that much movement at the in-dash temp gage.

The coolant level should be near the max line with the engine up to temp. When the engine cools down the coolant level can drop.

Sincerely,

Macster.

 

the water temp and the air in the cooling system temp might be differant too..if there is an air pocket near the sensor what are you measuring

 

Thanks for all the advice. Will follow up as I find out more.