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Help finding coolant leak

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Old 04-26-2021, 06:48 PM
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ElrendeGravy
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Default Help finding coolant leak



Hey everyone. 2002 Boxster S has slow dripped coolant since December. Just now getting around to figuring it out. It has gotten no worse or better over these 4 months, seemingly no change, and never smelled coolant while or after driving. Any ideas where its coming from? You can see its hitting that 02 sensor wire before ground, and has made a mess of everything else around it. It IS coolant and only coolant. All other fluids are exactly the same as they have been. Thanks!
Old 04-26-2021, 07:08 PM
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stl_986
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Tiptronic?

Looks like you have some oil leaking also
Old 04-26-2021, 07:40 PM
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ElrendeGravy
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Originally Posted by stl_986
Tiptronic?

Looks like you have some oil leaking also
6mt. And maybe when it was like -10 to 20 for several weeks i was seeping a tiny tiny amount. But nothing since then and dipstick and electronic measurement has not changed since the december oil change. Plus no stains on the white concrete.
Old 04-26-2021, 09:17 PM
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gman3280
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Have you pressurized the coolant system?
Old 04-26-2021, 09:36 PM
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ElrendeGravy
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Originally Posted by gman3280
Have you pressurized the coolant system?
like driven it? Yeah seems to have no effect the loss
Old 04-26-2021, 09:43 PM
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Originally Posted by ElrendeGravy
like driven it? Yeah seems to have no effect the loss
no, you can buy a tool you put on the coolant reservoir that you manually can pressurize the system
Old 04-26-2021, 09:52 PM
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zedcat
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Probably most common is the plastic coolant tank in the rear trunk. When was it last replaced?
Old 04-26-2021, 09:55 PM
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You are saying what is circled in yellow is coolant?

What I circled in red looks like oil drips.



What I would do is get some carb cleaner and spray as much as you can in that area to clean it off. Then take it out for a drive when it's dry out and see if the drip returns and is indeed coolant. I'm going to bet that it's actually oil unless you also have coolant leaking in the trunk.

Last edited by stl_986; 04-26-2021 at 09:56 PM.
Old 04-26-2021, 10:18 PM
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ElrendeGravy
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Originally Posted by stl_986
You are saying what is circled in yellow is coolant?

What I circled in red looks like oil drips.



What I would do is get some carb cleaner and spray as much as you can in that area to clean it off. Then take it out for a drive when it's dry out and see if the drip returns and is indeed coolant. I'm going to bet that it's actually oil unless you also have coolant leaking in the trunk.
I can promise it is leaking coolant on the account that my reservoir is empty and this liquid is not staining the concrete. I checked it with my fingers and it is indeed coolant.
Old 04-26-2021, 10:19 PM
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ElrendeGravy
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Originally Posted by zedcat
Probably most common is the plastic coolant tank in the rear trunk. When was it last replaced?
not sure. My trunk is dry though
Old 04-26-2021, 10:22 PM
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stl_986
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fill the system with distilled water, get a pressure tester and use it. You will find where the coolant is coming from then.
Old 04-26-2021, 10:49 PM
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Originally Posted by stl_986
fill the system with distilled water, get a pressure tester and use it. You will find where the coolant is coming from then.
oki doki will do
Old 04-26-2021, 10:54 PM
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zedcat
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Originally Posted by ElrendeGravy
not sure. My trunk is dry though
I had a cracked tank with no seepage to the trunk. Did you say above the tank is empty? It should have a level between the min and max mark.

Last edited by zedcat; 04-26-2021 at 10:57 PM.
Old 04-27-2021, 12:25 AM
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Originally Posted by zedcat
I had a cracked tank with no seepage to the trunk. Did you say above the tank is empty? It should have a level between the min and max mark.
oh yeah the tank is empty
Old 04-27-2021, 12:34 AM
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stl_986
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dont run the engine until you find the leak
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