I was comparing what my coolant reservoir looks like with online pics. Starting to think its missing something, like the level sensor (red needle telling you to put in more or that its too full, etc).

Can anyone with the know how, chime in? Thank you.

 

It does look like you are missing the level indicator. If your engine was cold when your photo was taken, you have significantly more coolant (higher level) than my engine calls for. My needle is slightly lower than mid-point. Engine is cold. No visible coolant at level device.





Regards,

 

guess looks like I will have to take a close look at the tank and see what is going on. There appears to be level indicator part that is available, although I initially thought it would be part of the tank (guess not true).

 

I agree with HP41, the coolant level looks high to me. I suspect your level needle is pegged high and it's underneath the yellow plastic. If you draw some fluid out you may find the needle becomes visible again.

 

I put more coolant since I did not see any needle to tell the level. After reading the manual I wondered why I do not see the red indicator. Looking closely online shows there is a level sensor needle that should be in the tank. Not knowing more, I kept the level at what is shown above since had no base for what it should look like. Now I know.
I do not think I see any red indicators if level is lower, but will try to draw out some to verify.
The level sensor should be in the slot inside yellow plastic, so does not appear to me its there.

 

Had a chance to look closer into this (literally - lol).

Looking closely at opening of the reservoir, I am able to see the sensor needle.
The problem I see is that it appears to be pushed against the + side of the opening.
Look closely under the + sign and you will see the pinkish/reddish plastic under the fluid.
When I pour fluid into the reservoir, the needle remains on that side.
I can move it with a small flat tool, but as soon as I let it go, it returns back to that side.

Is there a fix for this? Do I need to remove the reservoir to look at the function, or is there a way to remove/replace the sensor without removing the entire reservoir?

Thank you for help.

 

Your system is overfilled. Remove enough coolant to get the needle back into the mid-range.





Easiest way may be to open the radiator petcock drain to remove coolant. (photo for location reference)

 

I will do this and see. Appreciate your helping me with this. Will check again.
Feeling nervous not being able to see the fluid visually.
Read instructions after getting the car, but the level was as shown from the dealer, so I assumed I should be able to see the level as is normal for most cars I drove.

 

I agree the system is well overfilled. You need to remove coolant to get the indicator back to the mid range. When the system is correctly filled you can not see the fluid level. This is the reason for the indicator.

 

One reason you can't see coolant at the normal level is because the system needs expansion space for the liquid to expand as it is heated from ambient to ~100˚C.

I was unable to find a definitive coolant fill volume for the Panamera's ... if you assume a 14 quart system, the required expansion space just for the liquid coolant to expand from 18˚C to 100˚C is ~0.6 quarts. If you don't have at least this much free space, the system will liquid lock when heated and release coolant out the pressure relief valve to accommodate the expansion.

Many vehicles have a coolant reservoir that is visible with a fill line that acts as the expansion tank .. in the Panamera the tank is hidden under the cowling. I assume that's why we have the level indicator to show the proper level to allow for expansion.

 

I managed to siphon out about two glasses of coolant from the reservoir, to see the needle and put it into middle. Now I know how its supposed to look.
Thanks for your help.

 

Good Job! Glad you worked out.