Was just checking a few things over and noticed the black plastic cover to the left of the battery was distorted and wet.

Closure inspection revealed that the Pentosin header container appeared to be over full and was venting fluid which had found its way onto the cover.

I had this problem before and the shop said it was because they'd over filled it.

Questions - does Pentosil absorb water (like brake fluid) causing it to expand and possibly over flow ?

In which case should it be changed on a routine basis ?

Thanks again, Tim

 

Bad slave and possibly the accumulator too which is causing boosted powersteering fluid to push past in the slave, and overfill the front resevoir.
Check your steering fluid. I bet it's low.

 

Yes in fact the infamous slave at fault again.... The fluid is migrating within the slave cylinder between the steering pressure system and the clutch actuating system..Slave part #996 116 237 52 (about $467.50) and it is a good idea to replace the accumulator at the same time part# 996 314 166 00 (about $113.95) All this work can be done in about 3 hours. If you do some search (slave cylinder) on this forum and renntech you will found some good info about this problem.

 

There is the possibility that it was over filled. It should be filled to the mid point and not the max line.

 

If you just started having this problem without a recent service.....probably a bad slave...same labor to do accumulator and slave. How is shifting? Is your clutch rough?

See many threads on this...I had this happen 2 times in under 2 years...so I went with an EVOMS gt2 upgrade. Much harder clutch to push. Much more feedback. Much more like a gt3....much better as a drivers car IMHO....less GT though. Not cheap....but no more issues.

The upgrade splits the clutch into a standard brake fluid system with a gt2/gt3 part and leaves the pentosis around for the powersteering. I had already replaced the PS fluid reservoir out back due to a whistling valve....no issues ever since.

Good luck!!!


Jeff

 

Just checked the PAS fluid with the dipstick and there was no oil on it - ie well below minimum with a cold engine.

Just put a splash of Pentosin in the resevoir to bring it up to minimum,

I had the pressure resevoir changed a couple of years ago while under warranty and had this problem shortly tereafter. Shop said they'd over filled it - perhaps they were mistaken.

Likely I've had this issue for a couple of years which would explain why every 6 months or so it would need a drop of PAS fluid - I was wondering what was happening to it - now I know.

Clutch seems fine though.

Me thinks time for new resevoir and slave - once I get it back on the road, currently doing a brake job, new rear tires and TPMS (just waiting for new spec valve stems).

Thanks for all the tips - I'll go and do a little research....

 

Timf, you should really look into doing the gt2 slave conversion.

 

indicates this could be a DIY p.i.t.a. - and it might fail again in the not too distant future:-(

So - back to more research on the benefits of the GT2 solution...

In the meantime I'll keep a check on the fluid levels....

 

Mine appears to have failed again, as well. It's the second time it's happened in the past 18months. I'm definitely considering the GT2 conversion. Any ideas as to how much it costs?

 

Thomas, can you talk more about this conversion as I have the same issue.

 

Just had a PM from Thomas re GT2 conversion and I'm starting to seriously consider it as it seems to be a good fix for what is likely a recurring problem.
Reading the various forums implies slave failure is a common problem which WILL recur after a period of time.

My car has been parked for nearly two weeks without being started and I operated the clutch 40 times and there was still assist available - so I figure the accumulator is still good, just the slave...

 

Hey guys, Here's basically what I discussed with Tim.

The weak link in the 996TT hydraulic system is the accumulator and the slave. Many people have had great success upgrading to the GT2 setup. I've yet to see a GT2 slave fail. I personally run the gt2 slave conversion on my 996TT. (Car is at shop, if you would like to feel clutch stiffness before you have it done. Contact me first)

The clutch does become heavier/stiffer. It becomes more responsive and easier to modulate, in my opinion. It gives you alot more feedback as to whats going on. It'll also make you a better driver , in the sense that the clutch engagement window is alot smaller, and isn't as sloppy as the stock setup.

To do the job properly, it'll take a min. of 6 hours. The is because the current system is filled with pentosin, once the conversion is done it'll be filled with brake fluid. Things must be properly cleaned to ensure no problems, because pentosin and brake fluid don't mix.

 

Tim or anyone,

Wondering if this is the same problem.

The picture below is the right side (drivers side) cover next to the battery(not to the left).



This underneath the cover - it is a little sticky.



The small reservoir is filled PAST the max line.
When I check the power steering fluid level in the engine compartment it is NOT low, it is actually the correct level.



Will this stuff damage anything - the hose connecting to the bottom if it is (was) covered in it.

 

That looks exactly like mine - maybe a little worse.

My PAS tank was low though - yours may get to be low in time.

Mine hadn't dripped on to any hoses though - had just distorted the cover like yours.

I read the overflow can cause damage - so best clean it up asap.

 

I did wipe it all off, but what do you clean it with - it is hard to get the crap off?