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Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHCoolant Change Interval?
Leading reported evidence
Fill with different 911's, some
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
When I did my PPI at this indy it had at least 8 bays filled with different 911's, some set up for racing.
Leading evidence: 'Fill with different 911's, some' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Check coolant' (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 · Original poster
Is there any way to check the coolant to see if it needs to be changed?
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Suggestion
If you do not know when either was last change, and you are set on changing the coolant, why not change the water pump and while you are at it change to a low temp thermostat.
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Suggestion
I would change your fluid based on the fact that you don�t know if it was done.
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Suggestion
Sure, it could last a lifetime of the car, maybe 20-25 years for a car on average, but I believe in changing fluids on some maintenance schedule.
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Suggestion
If you do not know when either was last change, and you are set on changing the coolant, why not change the water pump and while you are at it change to a low temp thermostat.
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Suggestion
If you do not know when either was last change, and you are set on changing the coolant, why not change the water pump and while you are at it change to a low temp thermostat.
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Suggestion
I�m not sure what the interval is, but I�m pressure sure most automobile manuals would specify inspection or even testing of the fluid on some regular basis.
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My 996 is 21 years old and has 38K miles. AFAIK the coolant has never been flushed (only had it 23 months). I'm not having any problems with the coolant & the car has spent its whole life in California, so it's a pretty moderate climate.
I was thinking about changing out the brake fluid and coolant to level set everything. I asked my Indy for a quote and got this:
"The coolant is considered lifetime and you'd expect to change the water pump and 40 - 50K miles so we would normally flush it then. But if you want to do it now it would be..."
When I did my PPI at this indy it had at least 8 bays filled with different 911's, some set up for racing. This is not the type of indy where you see a lot of doctors' wives with their Cayennes. The guy that did my PPI here dally drives a 996 and has 240K miles on it. So it seems like a pretty good place.
So my questions are:
What is a realistic coolant change interval and why?
Is there any way to check the coolant to see if it needs to be changed?
I did read Ahsai's write up on how to change out the coolant but I decided I would farm this one out. Between buying the extra equipment I'd need to do the flush and the time spent, I felt it was better to have a shop do it.
While it would be good to level-set the fluids, I'm not having any problems and I don't want to spend the $$ if it's unnecessary.
I would change your fluid based on the fact that you don�t know if it was done.
I don�t think coolant is anymore �lifetime� than automatic transmission fluid. Sure, it could last a lifetime of the car, maybe 20-25 years for a car on average, but I believe in changing fluids on some maintenance schedule.
Personally, I wouldn�t go more than 7-10 years for coolant. I�m not sure what the interval is, but I�m pressure sure most automobile manuals would specify inspection or even testing of the fluid on some regular basis.
The coolant is supposed to be lifetime, but the water pump certainly is not. Change the water pump and thermostat, and flush the coolant while your at it. Some very learned people recommend changing the water pump every 4 years. It might seem excessive, but a bad water pump can take out a very expensive engine.
I made an appointment with my indy to change out the coolant and the brake fluid. I'll mention the 4 year water pump thing to him and see what he says. I won't be doing that this time around. I'll also do some research on that.
Coolant is your friend, ignore it and or the cooling system in general and things can go sideways in a hurry. Sounds like you've got a nice car with low miles, treat it to fresh coolant, a new water pump, a new thermostat and, dare I say, a new coolant reservoir! After a cracked head precipitated by failing to diligently monitor my cooling system (overheated due to minor coolant reservoir crack), I no longer take it for granted on my 986 or 996. For me, the money is well spent for the peace of mind. Sounds like you have a decent mechanic, let him do his magic on your car or, better yet, do it yourself as none of these tasks are that difficult and will give you a new appreciation for the car and for your own skills. These are great cars and every time I go in my garage and play with them I feel lucky. Lamentably, I cannot drive them yet because since I took them both off the road for major servicing, New Jersey closed its Motor Vehicle Commission operations so I can't register or tag them, same for my newly acquired HD Road King. Very frustrating. Best of Luck.
Coolant without a good water pump is useless. If you do not know when either was last change, and you are set on changing the coolant, why not change the water pump and while you are at it change to a low temp thermostat.
I would be more concern with the water pump life expectancy than the coolant, byt a large factor.
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