I've been getting that syrup , antifreeze smell from rear if car . I keep checking the reserve level and it hasn't moved an inch . Can anyone let me know what it could be ? I have a 2006 c4 s ...Thanks in advance

 

I'd check, in order of importance, for small a leak, or weeping, at the water pump, ( time to replace pump) or connections to same, and at the cap on the coolant reservoir (time to replace cap ) Could be a minor leak as system pressures up which can show up at the pressure relief valve on top of the coolant tank . My car has done that from time to time , usually after system has been openned and burping the system and tightening the cap a little bit more usually solves the problem.

 

+1 what Daddio said.

Keep checking; if you smell something, then something is uup.. It takes more than quite a few drops to lower the level.


Have you 'burped' the cooling system?

 

How do you burp system ?

 

I had the same for about 6 months and never saw a fluid drop in level. The problem was the heat exchanger had a tiny leak and that is where you cabin air passes through. I tried deoderizer.... various folks looked at it with all kinds of possibilities. The only way I got a positive ID is that I pulled it out. Very easy to do, just unbolt a bunch of stuff. It sits between the battery and the "fire wall". You must pull the wiper cowling, the wiper motor and mechanism, the frame braces, then pop off the hoses (minor dripping), then unscrew the exchanger and pull it up. Very easy actually.

EDIT: I just re-read your post and you noted the smell was from the rear of the car. If you don't smell it in the cabin, then my recommendation is probably not valid.

I replaced it with an OEM equivalent from Pelican (it was the same darn unit and I saved money).

Boxster 2000 S (same set up in our 911s as I understand it)
Peace
Bruce in Philly

 

I ordered a cap to start . I see a little white powder stuff on plastic container under cap on overflow tank. I never smell it inside , only when I get out and pass rear of car...I might have smelt it once when front hood was open but maybe it was in the air . The car was inspected by Porsche when I bought it two months ago and nothing came up . Let's see if its bad cap and I'll hope for best ..Thanks

 

Is your car cpo? I also have a 06c4s and I had this same problem - I noticed the smell from rear and mostly when standing out side the car -the dealer changed my coolant tank and no smell since

 

Not CPO , but if cap doesn't work I'll try tank next...

 

Keep us posted. If the cap doesn't do it, do another inspection all around the tank - they can become brittle and crack. If you choose to do the tank next, we have a pretty good set of replacement instructions for your review: Replacing Your Coolant Tank

Good luck finding the culprit!
Mark/Pelican Parts