18 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHWell, dropped her off at the shop, mystery coolant leak
Reported or suspected cause
coolant tank cap
Reported cause
No successful repair reported for this finding.
1
Identified cause
0
Suspected cause
0
Reported fixes
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Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
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1
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Well, dropped her off at the shop, mystery coolant leak
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Leading evidence: 'coolant tank cap' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'coolant tank cap' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Clean whew' (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.
Source reports, not a diagnosis or a success probability. Counts refer to discussions and can overlap.
Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
Discussions that performed work without a confirmed outcome
1
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0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
He said that he hasn't seen an old cap like mine in a while, he thought they had all been replaced by now
Well, dropped her off at the shop, mystery coolant leak
Replace cap
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0
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0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
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Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I have the same thing going on...replaced cap, then coolant reservoir but still the same leak.
Well, dropped her off at the shop, mystery coolant leak
Clean whew
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
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0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
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Discussions that contain suggestions
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Suggestion · Original poster
Pressure test on the coolant system came out clean, whew.
Well, dropped her off at the shop, mystery coolant leak
Replace cap first
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
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Explicit resolution reports before identified causes, performed actions and suggestions. Within each level, matching component labels precede direct query mentions and inherited thread context; successful versus unsuccessful discussion counts, owner confirmations and independent discussion support determine order. This is not a probability of success.
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Suggestion
As I mentioned before, I replaced the cap first, then the coolant reservoir and all of the hose clamps I could get to, but the problem persisted.
Well, dropped her off at the shop, mystery coolant leak
Coverage and how to read this overview
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.
18 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
0 evidence records excluded for query context · 0 excluded by outcome qualification · 0 adjusted by outcome qualification.
2 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Noticed my coolant started dropping a bit so I added some distilled water. After only a day, it was back down another 1/2 inch. I can smell anti-freeze from the engine bay but can't see it leaking anywhere. Don't see any oil in the coolant tank.
Shop owner said he suspects it is just the coolant tank cap but will pressure test the system.
I have also had a rough idle on cold start and just praying that these two symptoms are not related!
Hoping for the best. My wallet is in no position for surprises right now.
I went over a speed bump in December and cracked the rear hose. Parts were cheap, an hour labor. When I did some initial searches, it seemed somewhat common for the coolant tanks to leak..
Fingers crossed its only a minor hiccup.
What year and models do you guys have?
Please share the results once the problem has been found as there are 4 cases in 4 posts and it would be interesting to hear what the causes are/were.
Thanks,
Alin
If it was leaking around the cap, you would probably see it around the filler neck as a pinkish white crust. Is there any evidence on the ground of a leak. I would look under the tank to see if it has cracked and is dropping down onto the exhaust manifold (which would lead to a more perceptible smell).
Mine is an 03 with ~50k miles. The coolant tank is not too yellow and i think the cap is original.
Saw some pink crust around the top of the tank but after cleaning it off I haven't really seen more show up.
Hope to get an update today.
Verdict turned out to be the coolant tank cap. When they tested it, it held 0 pressure. Pressure test on the coolant system came out clean, whew.
I don't know why but I was under the impression the 996.2 didn't have the same weak cap but I guess they did. He said that he hasn't seen an old cap like mine in a while, he thought they had all been replaced by now
I should have tried a new cap before bringing it in.
Just a follow up for the archives..
The new cap has completely eliminated my leak. My old cap was blue/green in color and the new one is black. I don't know where I got the idea that this was only on the 3.4 cars but it definitly was an issue on my 03.
Mine is a '99 3.4. Started out with just smelling it, then I could hear it dripping on the header on the pipe for the middle cylinder. Things progressed and I could see it dripping to the point where it running toward the drain in my garage floor. As I mentioned before, I replaced the cap first, then the coolant reservoir and all of the hose clamps I could get to, but the problem persisted. I reached in and felt everything I could get my hands on, and everything was dry. I was worried about head gasket but dealer says no.
I just picked it up from the dealer yesterday, and they took the reservoir off and inspected it and the hoses...said it was fine (which of course is true because it is brand new). They put it back together and said it is fine now, and no more leak in the 3 times I have driven and parked it since. Still a slight smell of coolant...I hope it is fixed, will keep you all posted.
Ok, thanks. I had my reservoir and cap updated back in 2005 but noticed today that my cap ends in 001 and the current cap ends in 004 so I put one on order along with the little hose just behind the oil pan and a new resistor for my radiator fan (which I suspect is the culprit for the increase in temps on my car).
This is a source reference. Confirm exact model applicability in the original material.
