TerrestrialFlyte

I picked up my 997.1 C2S 45 days ago. It's been fairly well maintained but I've been looking at the water pump as preventative maintenance and a 3rd radiator as cheap "insurance" since I'm here in the heat of Texas. During my search I've come across these aluminum coolant crossover pipes, up front just above the subframe that appear to corrode and eventually leak. It seems it’s only a topic of discussion/concern for UK folks. In this video by Friends Green Porsche (at about the 10:30 mark) they list it as a common problem with 997s. I found another video from down under (either Australia or New Zealand) where the mechanic is repairing it and says it's to be expected since it was imported from the UK. Also found this thread addressing it on a UK Porsche forum. Is this some sort of regional problem or is it in our blind spot here in the US? Surely somewhere on this side of the pond we have similar climates to the UK. Or maybe I just haven't search Rennlist hard enough. Am I missing something?

http://www.911uk.com/viewtopic.php?p=1452721

Petza914

I've not come across this issue on cars here in the US in my 9 years on here. Must be a regional issue due to weather, but then you'd think the Pacific NW members here would see it too.

TerrestrialFlyte

Exactly. As diverse of a landscape we have, there has to be someplace that has similar environmental conditions. And seeing as it’s a problem, people should be flocking to the forum to ask “what, how, why….etc”. Weird.

Khloesdad

Here in Texas I dont foresee that issue but changing those hoses as a preventative maintenance item is on your bucket list then I say thats a great cudos. I replaced all the engine compartment hoses when I replaced the water pump. Well money spent I say.

TerrestrialFlyte

It seems those crossover pipes require you to drop the front subframe or something or another. Not something I care to do if it’s uncalled for, which is why I wonder why we don’t seem hear about it here. But all the hoses in the engine seems like a smart move. May look into that.

Khloesdad

And they werent overly costly.

TerrestrialFlyte

Where did you source them?

wndsnd

I am thinking of this too as a PM measure with 72K just turned. Once it seemed like it took an excessive amount of coolant but I do not see any leaks. Does it just evaporate as cylinder condensation over time and it needs to be checked with the oil changes?

TerrestrialFlyte

Mine is 15 years old, that alone makes me wonder. It does take a lot of coolant, I believe it's 9 gallons or so. I don't remember the service interval off hand.

Bruce In Philly

2009 C2S 175K miles

If you are referring to the service life of the coolant, it is "lifetime"... no interval. IMO, I think this is crap. I flushed and re-filled mine just... well just because I think this is crap.

My DIY... https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...2-9a1-diy.html

If it were me, and you wanted to replace these pipes... I would follow my instructions, then disconnect those pipes and see if you could blow more fluid out of there at those points.

Peace
Bruce in Philly (now Atlanta)

TerrestrialFlyte

Yes, thanks!! And I agree.

Edit: I assume there are differences between .1 and .2 cars.