I noticed coolant smell few days ago. Noticed the reservoir is a bit empty so filled it up. I didn't see any dripping on the floor, so I didn't bother. Today after I got home, I smelled the coolant again.
Noticed towards the driver side, close to the hose and under the nut, it's leaking green fluid.
Please look at the pic and tell me if anyone has seen this before and what's involved. Is this a dealer item?

 

I believe this is your coolant tank leaking. It has to be replaced. Not a big deal. You can do the job yourself. Very straight forward. do a search over at renntech.org. All the info you need. G/L

 

Coolant tank? The leak is coming from the part in the picture. That is not coolant tank. That looks more like water pump.

 

Sorry. Thought it was dripping down from tank. Disregard my suggestion then. Can you expand the view on the pic a bit?

 

Probably just need to replace the hose, and use a screw type hose clamp rather than the self-closing type. What year is the car? Hoses do dry out and go bad.

 

Personally, I wouldn't mess around ... get this looked at by a mechanic. If it's the oil/coolant seperator be prepared for an expensive fix (drop engine) to repair a relatively cheap part.
I speak from experience on this problem...

 

it's the water pump. get the parts from suncoast ($200-300) and have a local mechanic do the install.. make sure to pickup a few gallons of the coolant too while ur at it ($20 at suncoast vs $40 at dealer)
i just replaced mine a few months ago. similar situation. the leak is going to get worse and worse as you drive on it. it's usually the seal on the water pump and it will only leak when the pump is running/engine is running, that's why you don't see any coolant on the floor

btw, your coolant should not be green, it should be pinkish... what coolant did you have in there before? i do not recall porsche having any green color approved coolants

 

green were on the early 996... Porsche has done away with them....

 

I had dealer change the reservoir when car was under warranty last year, and I guess they used green. Darn, I just placed my order with Pelican, and saw Jason's post, checked out Suncoast, its much cheaper. Coolants are half price at suncoast for $20 and the pump is $210 vs $320.
I ordered all hoses, thinking it be good time to have a mechanic change the hoses.
Could my BMW mechanic do this job for me? He never worked on the Porsches', but I found a DIY.
Any decent shops in Orange County?

Thanks a lot.

 

i think to swap the pump it's not too bad but i remember you need a special machine to properly purge the coolant system? i remember reading somewhere it's almost impossible to purge the 996 coolant system by hand without the machine

 

Hergesheimer in Lake Forest
herg.net

 

Thanks for the shop referral. Anyone has good stories?

 

Try www.pelicanparts.com They have the best prices on most anything.

 

I thought they did too until someone mentioned suncoast,
oh well, 100 here 100 there, it will end up being the same at the end.

 

try StarTech Auto in chino hills. owner is Sam, tell him Hector (my brother) sent you.

1-909-606-6882

jorge