Coolant Usage..... Help!!

I have a 2004 996 C4S and it is loosing coolant!! Noticed there are quite a few threads on this issue but really worried it could be something serious like dreaded head gasket or cracked water jacket. Does anybody have any advice on where to look to identify the leak? At the mo its only a small leak. Thanks

Check the front rads, and the coolant bottle...

I had this panic once - had to pull over on the autobahn as I couldn't see anything behind me for steam! Turned out it was a faulty coolant bottle cap... Cost about €10 to fix!

The leak I had was a rubber pipe on the right hand side of the engine bay. The pipe exits the engine block, rises vertically, turns through 90 degrees and then connects to an aluminium pipe. As the rubber pipe turns through 90 deg it scuffed against the body. If you feel underneath the pipe you will feel the damage if you'rs is the same. Porsche now supply a new pipe from 997 so it's a recognised fault. You can see from the pictures that the new pipe is a push fit into the engine via a new aluminium connector and that it moves the rubber pipe away from the body. :thumb:

Two weeks ago I got the flashing light on the temp guage (whilst driving from London to Cirencester), have you had this yet or simply noticed the drop in the tank? When it happened to me and I slowed down steam started to appear from the front of the car...quick look revealed that coolant was coming out of holed drivers-side rad. Took it gingerly on way back home and then off to Machtech (slowly) to get it fixed.

As suggested, it could be anywhere in the system. It is more likely to be an external component or pipework than the block or head gasket. The rads are liable to stone damage or corrosion and the rubber pipes eventually perish. If you get the engine up to normal operating tremperature you'll have a better chance of finding the problem. Be careful though as superheated steam can give severe burns - always wear protective gloves and spectacles if you start poking around. Also, the coolent has a sweet smell, so have a good sniff around and you may find the leak that way. When my pipe leaked I could smell the coolant at the rear offside of my car months before the steam eventually appeared. Once you've found the leak it wouldn't do you any harm to put a leak sealer in your header tank. A lot of mechanics I've spoken to swear by a product called Kalimex K-Seal. It's in my entire fleet including my C4S. If you get a minor leak in your rad it'll seal it up nicely. Pontypool, I'm often down in Ciren myself as my daughter is studying there so look out for me! cheers Ray :bandit:

I have an old friend up that way and we often work together on projects so vist quite often. Mind you I see more traf pol between M4 and Ciren than all of London so I'll be the bloke driving slower than the Astra vans up the A419!

Yes m8, especially on Sundays - ovrtime jockeys no doubt! :dont know:

Re: COOLANT USAGE..... HELP!! Hi Elvis Have you checked your oil level? Has the level increased slightly? Clearly the most serious leak of coolant would be into the engine. Examine the dipstick for any signs of milkiness in the oil film on the stick. If you are satisfied that this is not happening, then you have some good set of replies already to check out the leak source. Running a dry finger around all coolant system joints and water pipes is a good way, and if you find anything, a tongue tip test for sweetness will tell you if it is coolant. Only a taste not a drink, I dont want to be responsible for your demise :nooo: It would help if you got the car up on axle stands to do this investigation. Regards Big Bob :bye:

COOLANT USAGE..... HELP!! Thanks for that chaps; will take a look at those areas.

coolant leak Hi its probably rads or header tank but be careful before you put any K seal or such in the system, it is fantastic stuff no doubt but although I use it on my lorries I would never ever put it into my Porsche. If you have a leak it will only prolong the time of eventual component replacement. Get the faulty parts replaced its permanent, good luck Mike