touareg

So I am at 102k now, have had the coolant piped replaced.

So this AM my coolant temp needle is usually rock steady at 180, but it was 41F out this morning, stop and go traffic. Fans were running, and it started to creep a needle width back and forth from 180+ and then back down. In the nearly 3 years of ownership, I never noticed this before in traffic (even in 90+ degree summers)

Any experience in this and is this a mysterious sign of the expansion tank about to blow? I assume these are the pressurized systems.

I thought I smelled a little coolant when I got out, but an hour of stop and go traffic makes stranges smells come out in most cars

Mostly just rambling at this point!

Dennis C

Have you had your water pump replaced yet?

touareg

No, that is my next concern.

I don't want to just replace parts for fun, but I don't want to have extended downtime.

At least my dealer gives me a free loaner, no matter what I leave the car for!

touareg

Another thought, how hard is it to see weeping on these water pumps. Or are you suspecting broken impeller.

Dennis C

I'm not sure. I know that it's a common problem with Cayennes. Mine was replaced last year. It was making lots of noise and starting to leak a little bit when it was replaced.

EnigmaWmn

Looking at an '05 P!G files, here were the repairs after around 100k:

Front upper & lower control arm bushings (at 122k)
Starter (don't remember, but over 100k)
Nav (same as above)
Water pump (95k)

Divot

Holy crap! What happened to Mickey? The poor man looks like he went face first through the windshield and they put his burning face out with a wet brick.

EnigmaWmn

Forgive me, for I have sinned. That face is not disturbing enough for RL and especially OT

touareg

Thanks Pops, I think I will keep an eye out for that water pump. Was only able to find one other reference to a burst at the seams reservoir tank.

Bushings do feel like they need to be replaced, steering is not as crisp as it was 25k or so ago..

Anyone know of good poly aftermarket ones?

francars

I have experienced temps a bit over 180 as well. I asked my Indy and he says its normal on stop / go traffic and hot weather. I had the same issue with my 996 but I trust my Indy. He has worked on LOTS of Porsches for 30 + years. But I still keep an eye for overheating of course...

CarreraCup03

Pretty normal. I would not necessarily worry unless you see a spike. I will say this .. mine was 180 on the nose as well, all the time .. except the one time I noticed it go a little higher in the summer NYC traffic. I had my pipes done recently (voluntary), and now it is below the 180 mark all the time. Looks more like 170 - 175 since the pipe change.

Dennis C

Don't ignore that on the 996! It should be pretty consistantly at 180. It could be your radiator fans or fan relays...

Does the A/C stop blowing cold air when you stop at a stoplight?

ArneeA

Mine was 180 as well until after the coolant pipes (involuntary) and reservoir tank change (voluntary). Mine would fluctuate between 180 and 195-ish during stop-and-go, A/C off, uphills (San Fran). I found it concerning. I thought maybe the t-stat wasn't opening enough.

If it's normal, it's normal, I suppose. My old E430 does the same, but that's a much older car.

touareg

I am a little more paranoid now after my Mini Cooper S first had fan problems, then had the overflow tank explode a few years back. When it is cold out, these things seem a little odd to me as when that happened on the mini it was 20F out and in traffic.

My 951 used to have a quirk like this and it was the expansion tank too.

ArneeA

I had my X5's expansion tank replaced as part of preventative maintenance. It's common for BMWs (among other, numerous, various things!)