7 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHLow coolant level!
Leading reported evidence
Use element of trust here and did ask him
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
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0
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1
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
Without going into too much detail, I know the seller (distant family) so I used the element of trust here and did ask him to be upfront about leaks etc.
Leading evidence: 'Use element of trust here and did ask him' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'leak' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check colour first' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Suggestion
If you top up with coolant check the colour first and use the same type - red is the modern type, blue/green the old.
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Suggestion · Original poster
Should this last service have checked the coolant level?
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Suggestion
Could be a leaking radiator or loose connection somewhere, sounds obvious but have you checked under the car for evidence of a leak?
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
Without going into too much detail, I know the seller (distant family) so I used the element of trust here and did ask him to be upfront about leaks etc.
Counts describe captured discussions, not unique people or a diagnosis. Author identities are not reliably stored. Exact duplicate evidence is counted once across matching discussions; one discussion counts at most once per action/state. Multiple repairs reported together remain a combination. Suggestions and failed attempts do not establish a fix. Matches cover whole discussions and can include related faults, model variants and incomplete threads.
7 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
911uk: 1 discussions
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Generation: 20261027T082735Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
I just checked the coolant level and noticed it is below the 'min' line!
The last 'yearly maintrenance' and 'minor maintenance' was done by the Porsche Centre in West London - only in end of Dec 2009. It has driven less than 500 miles since then.
Should this last service have checked the coolant level? If so, isn't it a bit worrying that the level has dipped below the 'min' line so quickly?
As an emergency, I will top it up - what should I use?
I will also get in touch with the garage to see what is going on...
Any other advice?
Its safe to use water. If you top up with coolant check the colour first and use the same type - red is the modern type, blue/green the old. They should have checked the coolant level, but leaks can happen \anytime.
Could be a hose about to fail and has already developed a small hole. Header tank can also fail, as other more serious engine faults including water pump failure....
Good luck
Ray
Thanks, Ray.
Just looking through the paperwork, I notice that there isn't a service report from the last service - should there be one? The service book is stamped etc
if so, would a coolant leakage problem be on the report? I will call the garage tomorrow to get to the bottom of this.
I may be over-reacting but it kind of kills the enjoyment when you have these small worries on your mind, especially when you know that there are issues (albeit of low probability) with the 3.4 996s.
1. Get a PPI [pre purchase inspection] done before buying a car.
It should give you peace of mind about the car you are thinking of buying.
2. There is a 'search forum' and 'FAQ' at the top of the web page which may
answer a lot of your questions and save you some time.
TB
I guess I may have to learn the hard way on this one. Without going into too much detail, I know the seller (distant family) so I used the element of trust here and did ask him to be upfront about leaks etc. Anyway, I'll get the service report today and see whats been going on...
I had a coolant leak on an early 996 I used to have, turned out the header tank had split, quite a common problem on the early cars I believe. This would be the most likely IMHO
Could be a leaking radiator or loose connection somewhere, sounds obvious but have you checked under the car for evidence of a leak?
As mentioned by someone else lots of helpful information on here,
Good luck,
The seller may not have been aware of some of the things you have found.
Re the water, look for signs of white residue around the header tank/ cap
if you suspect a leak from there. Mine creaks and rattles but then I do drive it hard everyday.
TB
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