low coolant level and........

Before take-off today I did a quick check and noticed the coolant level was at the minimum; odd since I just had the coolant flushed about 6 weeks ago at the dealership. I drove off expecting a low coolant indication or temp gauge above normal but it never got above the 180 mark. The oil dipstick is clean and I couldn't find any residue of coolant leaking. Why would the coolant level be this low especially after a service? The car has been sitting for about two weeks but that shouldn't have any relevance but maybe so. Please send your thoughts. Thanks all.

Maybe you cleared out an air pocket in the system and it drew fluid from the reservoir?

Cold weather is most probable reason. When temperature drops, the volume of the coolant in the system decreases. Also, as with any car when car is cold coolant is supposed to be at the low/cold mark. When car warms up, the coolant expands and reaches the upper levels.

Density variations due to temperature change would cause the coolant level to fluctuate by a few ounces, and it sounds like OP was missing more coolant than this. I'm more inclined to think the dealership didn't do a perfect job bleeding the cooling system or perhaps didn't tighten the cap tightly enough to prevent leakage. If this was my car, I would not worry about intermix until I was certain that the system was properly purged of air.

Coolant leak. My Boxster lost enough coolant (liquid at any rate) from a leaking coolant tank cap to light the low coolant level warning light and the level was just right around a month before. 'course, it doesn't have to be the cap. It could be the coolant tank, or a radiator, a hose or hose fitting, or everyone's favorite, the water pump. You need to get the car up in the air and have all the usual coolant leak places inspected for leak sign.

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Always a good idea to eliminate this as a possible cause....can never be too safe. I would suggest having a pressure test done to help locate/pinpoint/identify the source. If none, then PERHAPS you're system was NOT bled right as pointed out earlier.

Just keep checking the level for a couple of wks. If it does not drop, no worries. If it does, then you can start to look for leaks.

Had the coolant in my Porsches replaced several times and at a dealership -- various ones -- and never had an air pocket appear. The OP's system has a leak.

I'd suggest a return visit to the dealer that did the service and explain the loss of coolant.

Perhaps the shop just did not add enough of the stuff (coolant or water -- it does take a lot). If you had no coolant related issues before the servicing it seems highly unlikely that this is anything particularly serious.

Thanks all. I have an appointment with the shop next week for them to take a look. In the meantime I bought the "top off size" Porsche coolant at another retailer close to work, mixed it and topped off. I just checked the level and it hasn't dropped from the drive home. I'm keeping an eye on it until the appointment. A leak is always a possibility but the levels have never been this low even prior to the flush in November. I'm hoping it was either carelessness; not enough fluid added or an air pocket. Either way it's going back for them to correct if needed.

Check your oil and hope that the level isn't above the full line… If so, thats not extra oil, its where your coolant went. It sounds like an air pocket escaped and the coolant level dropped as a result.

The Porsche dealerships pull the whole system down to a vacuum before they add coolant, so it is an extremely effective method of filling without air pockets. Not saying it's impossible though. The very first thing I would inspect would be the coolant expansion tank cap. How does the seal look? Clean up the area around it and look for any white residue, which is residual coolant. Coolant vapor can escape through a poorly sealing cap, and often the caps aren't closed all the way.

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This ^^^^ I had a coolant change and lost some due to a defective original cap. All is good with new cap in place.

Thank you all. After two days of keeping an eye on the level, all appears to be good. The cap appeared to be tightened well and I wiped it and the reservoir opening before reinstalling. Which leads me to think it simply wasn't filled completely if the tech followed proper procedure described by a couple of you. And this thought leads me to hijacking my own post and discuss the thoroughness of dealer service when a tech is trying to beat the clock.....maybe some other time!