06CayeeneS

I have a 2006 Cayenne S over 200k miles and when it sits for a few days there is a puddle under the drivers side of the engine. The check coolant light comes on. I put coolant in a drive it but do not see a leak when I park and get back in. Car does not over heat.
What could be the issue - water pump (I do smell coolant at times)?

Thanks!

phatz

anything
dye and pressure test it

BrianC72gt

Your local Autozone or other FLAPS (Friendly Local Auto Parts Store) will loan you a cooling system pressure tester for free (leave deposit). Fill with coolant, pump up the pressure to 2 or 3 pounds over max rated on the filler cap and leave it there for an hour. The leak will present itself.

Dr. 914

have the plastic coolant lines under the intake manifold been replaced with aluminum ones? A common problem with the early v8 cayennes We have one doing the same thing here

BrianC72gt

...and if it is the plastic coolant pipes, there is also concern about the transmission input shaft/transmission oil pump seal. The fluid that leaks out finds its way into the bellhousing and dries up on the transmission input shaft, gets crusty and shreds the oil pump seal there. Eventually, this causes the transmission to leak which requires dropping the driveline to replace it, or if you are crafty, you can extract just the transmission and replace the seal. A BIG PITA job either way. I'm not sure what you could use to wash down the backside of the engine that might clear the crust inside the bellhousing. The moral of he story is don't let the coolant leak persist for any length of time. It could also be your expansion tank is ready to split in half - also a common wear item.