Coolant pipes A-Z.
10-20-2011, 03:54 PM
#257
Rennlist Member
My guess, and this is purely a hunch, is that the phantom leaks and losses of coolant may be at the tee-connector. I think this thing just slowly oozes coolant out the compression joints over time... vs. the catastrophic dumping of coolant whenever the pipes burst.
10-20-2011, 04:35 PM
#258
Rocky Mountain High
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
I'm think that's very possible. My mechanic agrees. I'm having the connector as well as the pipes replaced with the metal upgrades. I'm glad I'm getting it done before a catastrophic failure.
10-20-2011, 06:03 PM
#259
Race Director
Looks like we're about to join the coolant pipe replacement club. The Cayenne displayed the dreaded low coolant warning today. It has no signs of a leak at all. I don't smell coolant, I can't see any leaks, and it's only a little bit low. However, I feel that at roughly 92,000 miles, I've been lucky not to have an issue yet. The car goes in tomorrow to have the new winter wheels and tires installed, and so I've scheduled the coolant pipe (and plastic "T" connector) replacement while it's in the shop.
10-20-2011, 06:58 PM
#260
Rennlist Member
Good point, and you're right - I didn't notice this until I just saw Dennis' signature line. I assumed he had a CTT. Dennis - do let us know how much your mechanic charges to fix your tee...
This blows my theory above, BTW.
So allow me to postulate another: THEORY TWO - the plastic coolant pipes develop hairline fractures over time, that allow a small amount of leaking; this small amount of coolant instantly evaporates as it hits the 200-degree engine block in the valley, so you don't really see or smell a lot of coolant; maybe a few drips the first day, then a spoonful on a longer drive, etc. Not enough to be very noticeable, but enough to drop the reservoir over several weeks.
Then, over time, as the pressure in the pipes and the heat from their placement compound the problem, the tiny hairline fracture steadily gets incrementally larger, until it eventually ruptures and it all pours out. I can see the parabolic curve now...
How about this: order the aluminum kit and keep it in the trunk, and prepay the tow now. Then, drive the truck around like normal, but only during your mechanic's normal business hours. As soon as it unzips, call in the tow and go directly into surgery. This way, we can prove the theory that little leaks always precede the full unzipping. Like labor pains precede delivery.
In the name of good science, of course.
This blows my theory above, BTW.
So allow me to postulate another: THEORY TWO - the plastic coolant pipes develop hairline fractures over time, that allow a small amount of leaking; this small amount of coolant instantly evaporates as it hits the 200-degree engine block in the valley, so you don't really see or smell a lot of coolant; maybe a few drips the first day, then a spoonful on a longer drive, etc. Not enough to be very noticeable, but enough to drop the reservoir over several weeks.
Then, over time, as the pressure in the pipes and the heat from their placement compound the problem, the tiny hairline fracture steadily gets incrementally larger, until it eventually ruptures and it all pours out. I can see the parabolic curve now...
How about this: order the aluminum kit and keep it in the trunk, and prepay the tow now. Then, drive the truck around like normal, but only during your mechanic's normal business hours. As soon as it unzips, call in the tow and go directly into surgery. This way, we can prove the theory that little leaks always precede the full unzipping. Like labor pains precede delivery.
In the name of good science, of course.
10-20-2011, 07:26 PM
#262
Race Director
I had a Coolant Low msg. once about 18 mos. ago, topped it off with a little bit of distilled water and a have added a couple of ozs. about every 6 mos. since. No puddles and no pipe failures yet. Always check it when the engine is cold, 'bout time to do it again.
10-20-2011, 07:30 PM
#263
Rocky Mountain High
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
My mechanic described the connector for the n/a V8 as a "Y" connector, which will be replaced. He said the "T" connector is only in the turbos.
10-21-2011, 01:36 AM
#265
Rocky Mountain High
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Didn't ask. Maybe I should.
10-21-2011, 10:13 PM
#266
Rocky Mountain High
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
The procedure is complete.
I just had my coolant pipes replaced with the updated metal pipes on my 2004 Cayenne S. My mileage is 93,395. I had them replaced prior to failure - I felt that I was living on borrowed time. My mechanic said that there was no sign of leaks when he got to the pipes. It was done at a Porsche dealer. My total out of pocket expense for this was $1,863.69.
I'm happy to have it done.
I just had my coolant pipes replaced with the updated metal pipes on my 2004 Cayenne S. My mileage is 93,395. I had them replaced prior to failure - I felt that I was living on borrowed time. My mechanic said that there was no sign of leaks when he got to the pipes. It was done at a Porsche dealer. My total out of pocket expense for this was $1,863.69.
I'm happy to have it done.
10-22-2011, 04:52 PM
#267
Good for you, Dennis.
My CPO ends 12/23/12 and of course I want them to fail before then, but I'd also rather do it before the fail and have all the other potential problems that go with it.
One thing for sure, on 12/24/12, I'm scheduling the replacement.
My CPO ends 12/23/12 and of course I want them to fail before then, but I'd also rather do it before the fail and have all the other potential problems that go with it.
One thing for sure, on 12/24/12, I'm scheduling the replacement.
10-29-2011, 03:28 PM
#268
Track Day
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think I'm the latest victim of the dreaded coolant pipes...looking for a little advice thou. 2005 CTT with about 72k miles and I believe the original factory plastic pipes.
The coolant low light came on this morning and I drove it a few miles to get to a gas station. Watching the temp gauge it never hit 260 redline, no steam from engine and no coolant smell. The engine oil temp gauge crept up to almost redline (300) and then engine temperature too high light came on right when I was approaching gas station. I poured some water in the reservoir and immediately got steam from intake manifold area and could hear gurgling/boiling water. Didn't start it again and had AAA tow it home...
So this seems like coolant pipes to me but what do you guys think about the oil temperature and warning light? Could that be a result from the coolant being low? And does this sound like the result of a slow leak? There were no big puddles of coolant or smell of coolant.
Thanks for the comments!
The coolant low light came on this morning and I drove it a few miles to get to a gas station. Watching the temp gauge it never hit 260 redline, no steam from engine and no coolant smell. The engine oil temp gauge crept up to almost redline (300) and then engine temperature too high light came on right when I was approaching gas station. I poured some water in the reservoir and immediately got steam from intake manifold area and could hear gurgling/boiling water. Didn't start it again and had AAA tow it home...
So this seems like coolant pipes to me but what do you guys think about the oil temperature and warning light? Could that be a result from the coolant being low? And does this sound like the result of a slow leak? There were no big puddles of coolant or smell of coolant.
Thanks for the comments!
