Title Edit**
Mysterious Coolant Leak


Few days ago i came down to the garage, to my surprise i discover a huge puddle right by the rear driver side wheel. First things first, i went on the forums and read about possible updating coolant cap as mine was the 01 version and got the updated from Porsche the following morning. All was good! no leak, however untill today i went to the beach and came back to find a huge puddle of coolant under my car, Above driver side exhaust. I topped it off to the max line and drove home, but it hasn't leaked since. So not sure what to think? AOS?, Its leaking from right above the driver side exhaust. it only leaks SOMETIMES.

I just recently got my supercharger installed along with replacing ALL my old coolant lines and the reservoir was replaced 1.5 years ago due to a leak.
I was thinking maybe the shop who did my install didn't clamp on of the coolant hose?
It dosent leak enough to trigger the low coolant light! and level always stays at just under the MIN line.

Thanks in advance

 

Check the expansion tank and all line to and from.

 

I had a very similar problem on my 996. It would leak at times and not at times. Mine turned out to be the AOS. The Indy told me that the reason it didn't leak all of the time was that it was small and the coolant would seal it, then it would break loose again. I am not sure I understand all of that but he replaced it and it resolved the sporadic leak.

 

+1 on the coolant tank.....there may be a hairline crack underneath that leaks under high pressure when the car is idle or parked after a drive....same thing happen to mine not long ago & the exact location you described.....you may want to replace the tank if it look yellowish cause a new cap ain't gonna help...G/L

 

Expansion tank.

 

Happened to me... Expansion tank...

 

Bought my coolant expansion on eBay for $150 shipped it was Porsche OEM.
There are a few DIY threads on this if you do a google search.

I have a 2002 996 & it was a huge pain in the pass. Took all of 8 hours to do it.
There is very little (talking millimeters) room to move the tank in and out of the engine compartment.

There were people saying you need to drop the engine a few inches but I managed to do it without touching the engine. I removed the fuel rail and injectors to get more room. If you do this make SURE to label the harness so when you plug the harness back into the injectors you don't get a check engine light...don't ask me how I know this!!!

I wouldn't want to do this project again but I'm satisfied I saved myself atleast $1,800. (Porsche dealer wanted $2,100 and an indy shop wanted $1,800)

 

Here is western mass they're charging 400-500.00 bucks for a overflow swap. 2 grand are you crazy.....see musante motorsports or zyblut in hadley ma!

 

It appears to be the coolant tank, although it was replaced a year and a half ago. Weird, that these can fail so often.
A possibility is one of the lines came loose when installing the supercharger as i had all the lines replaced.
Or I wonder if the solid engine mounts i installed had anything to do with it cracking.

But either way ..... i now have UNISTALL the freaking supercharger to replace the tank or to even see if its a hose in the back.... FML

 

Yeah if your tank was replaced a year ago then it's most likely the lines...zip ties and clamps are your friend!

"If it was easy it wouldn't be cool." ...words to live by when being a Porsche owner.

 

Anyone else have anxiety attacks with these friggin cars. It's a nasty obsession, I spend more time worrying then enjoying....but like a hot chic who's a ball buster you enjoy your ride and deal with it!

 

I gave up worrying, I drive the living S out of her and what happens, happens.

 

I feel the same way about my car. Every time I see one of these posts I start to freak out like it is going to happen to mine next!!

 

Agreed!, Can't enjoy a P-car if you got the worry wart. LOL.
Only thing I'm worried about is the down time on repairs before i get to drive the **** out of her again

Anyways, I just went on nice spirited drive today, its was cloudy and air was very cool. After the drive I had ZERO coolant drips(fingers crossed), line is above minimum even till now..... Maybe i did a hard enough corner the pipe went back into place? Lol.:confu sed:

 

If you have one of the new tanks (bright white) it is very unlikely that there is a leak in it. The new ones are very well made and the longevity should be expressed in half-life.