Well, the coolant smell has been getting progresively worse. I now have some crusty residue on the drivers side exhaust, so looks like its probably the tank.
I did the water pump yesterday. Pretty easy, except when the neighbor helping broke one if the bolts. Luckily, easy to remove, and no damage. For anyone thinking about this as a diy, its pretty easy IF you get a 10mm swivel socket in 1/4" drive. 3/8" drive is just a little too big.

After the pump, tried to do the tank. Just cant get it out all the way. Dropped the engine about as far as it can go with undoing just the rear mounts, and still couldnt get it out. Not sure what i was doing wrong....but very frustrating/disappointing.

Unless anyone has any tips/tricks to share, i may have to take it to an indy...i just hate to give up on something i should be able to do!

 

Hang in there. Just remove the black bracket holding the tank (two bolts) and it should come out with some wiggling. Install is reversed and you should be able to install both bolts with some patience.

 

Yeah, just couldnt seem to get the tank in a position to get the bolts out of that black bracket....when i started thinking about using hammers, i knew it was time for a break!

The worst part is that i figure this is one of thise things that if you do it once, the next one is probably easy!
Any tips on how to get to that bracket?

 

Yes, slide the tank off the bracket completely then push the tank all the way toward the left front of the engine compartment as much as you can.

 

Dang it! I was right there yesterday! Argh!
I may give it another shot today, even though its all buttoned up.
Any idea how many hours a shop would need for this if i cant get it done?

 

Sorry, no idea how many hrs a shop will charge. I would think at least 2 if not more.

 

I just noticed you have a cab (I have a coupe). Not sure if that adds more issues. Hopefully someone else with a cab will chime in.

 

Only special stuff ive read about a cab is that it is harder to do than a coupe. Have to lower the engine a little more for the clearance.
Thanks for all of the replies, i really appreciate it!

 

I did mine. I lowered the engine and pushed it as far to the right as possible. I was able to slide the tank off the black mount then towards the firewall and engine enough to get at the 10mm mounting bolts.
Look at your new tank it has a series of tabs that slip through spaces on the mount so that you don't have to slide the tank over too far to get them to disengage.

I used a 1/4" drive ratchet with a wobble extension and a universal to get at the bolts.
Once the mount is out the tank comes out pretty easily.
Take the level sensor off as soon as you can reach it. It turns clockwise to loosen it.

When you lower the engine take the oxygen sensor wires out of the channel so that you don't break them. Also undo the clamp that holds the hoses to the bulkhead above the power steering pump.

 

You probably need new motor mounts anyway... Do them at the same time and it will let you drop the motor slightly for better access to the tank.


The other thing I'll mention...

Some 996's just like to burp out extra water/coolant to a bit below the marks on the tank which will definitely cause the coolant smell. When I first got my car, I topped off the coolant a few times, it always burped it out to the same exact level, under were the marks on the tank are. New cap, same issue. Bleeding, same issue. I finally just let it stay at the slightly lower level, and no more disappearing coolant, no more coolant smell, and perfect coolant temperatures. Evidently a common issue...