Coolant leak onto tailpipe on driver's side

On the tailpipe on the driver's side of my 2002 911 Carrera, coolant is dripping down slowly when the engine is running. Looking under the car, there is what I think is a heat shield above it where it may be pooling first but that also blocks my view from seeing where the actual leak is. I can't see any leaks looking from above the engine. Any thoughts on what this might be or other things I can do to get a better look (within reason)? I just got this car last week, so I'm hoping the dealer is going to be willing to fix this, as it seems to me that it was probably something we both missed because it is a slow leak or it wasn't leaking yet but hanging on by a thread. But I want to be informed when I talk to them about it. Also do you know what kind of coolant this car should take? I did some quick reading online last night and there seem to be a few options and its bad to mix them. The existing coolant looks green but it sounded like it may actually be yellow? I want to put more in before I drive it anywhere, as it's just below the min refill line now.

From the location, I would guess that the leak could be from the plastic coolant expansion tank or the cap. If it's the cap, you should see coolant or dried coolant on top of the tank in the trough that leads to the small overflow hose. To check the tank, you can remove the airbox and secondary air pump to get better access and feel the bottom of the tank. There seems to be a lot of this going around lately due to the age of the cars and the number of heat cycles on this plastic part. In the meantime, just top off the coolant level with distilled water. If you need to replace the tank you'll be adding more coolant then. The safest coolant to use is genuine Porsche coolant.

Thanks Bill... I'm at work now, but I'll check those things when I'm home. Is this picture the "expansion tank" and cap you are talking about? Or is there a bigger coolant tank down below somewhere?

There is only one coolant expansion tank and that is it in your picture. The latest cap has a part number on it that ends in 04. Your coolant level looks low. Only Porsche coolant (pink) and distilled water in a 50/50 mix.

I also think it's likely the coolant tank. Your coolant tank and cap are very old, could be even original based on their part numbers. The latest tank and cap both end with "04". Also the latest coolant is pink. The dealer could do a pressure test and id the leak positively.

So the latest coolant is pink, but mine looks green/yellow... I don't want to mix pink with that right? Can I still get green/yellow stuff? Can I go to an Advanced Auto Parts and pick this up, or do I need to go to the Porsche dealer? I certainly could go there, but its a bit across town while there are 4 auto parts stores on my way home from work.

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No. Not a good idea to mix coolant types. Possible they can have a chemical reaction that will turn it to jello. You can mix the Porsche pink with the older green colored coolant. Remember it is Porsche coolant 50/50 mix with distilled water.

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The dealer will likely have mixed (with distilled water) and unmixed coolant on hand. I would get the unmixed and buy a gallon of distilled water at the supermarket. Otherwise you're paying for Porsche distilled water $$$.

All good thoughts here but you also have a number of coolant hoses, the thermostat and water pump located above that muffler so be sure to inspect thoroughly. I recently replaced the tank, cap, water pump and thermostat only to find a leaky hose upon completion. So after a thorough flush and refill after replacing the aforementioned, I also got to drain and refill yet again after replacing a few hoses. More fun to do that once.. I got to do it twice.

Yeah lots of good tips, but I'll for sure try and find the source before I start buying and replacing and hoping something works. I am hopeful that if I remove the airbox and secondary air pump, I'll be able to see/feel enough of that I can find where it is leaking at.

make sure it's not the over flow line, the over flow line dumps just to the right of the muffler

Thanks everyone again for the tips... I talked with the dealer (since I just bought it) and it sounds like they're going to cover the cost of repairs. I put some distilled water in to get me over the MIN fill line and I'll be taking it in this afternoon. I didn't want to trouble myself taking anything apart when the Porsche mechanic there will be doing the same thing.

Btw, there is a coolant hose coming from the bottom of the expansion tank. about 10 inches into that tube is a plastic "T" section that can become brittle. I had this part crack and I had a leak that dripped over driver side rear most ignition coil. Very close to exhaust.

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Very good point. It does become brittle from age/heat and is very easy to break, or just breaks on it's own. Not talking about the plastic fitting next to the alternator (which also breaks and has a mind of its own). It is the one that attaches to the bottom of the expansion tank...a few inches from there is the plastic tee fitting. If it is leaking from there you have to replace the entire hose. The plastic tee is not repairable. That hose cost ~$70. I broke mine by touching it.

I think pelican has that part for $14.75.

And yes, I have one of these standing by for when this plastic piece by the alternator and oil filler tube decides to start leaking. I didn't get the aluminum one as it seems too expensive for something that will probably last another 15 years.

That is not the hose I broke the plastic nipple on. This is the hose for the 99. They may have changed it for the 2002. I see the 2002 has a different part number. Connects to the underside of the expansion tank and has the molded plastic nipple for the AOS. I sprang for the Rauch & Spiegel because I have had a battle with that connection piece for years (I think I replaced it three times then gave in) Part No. 18 here http://www.autoatlanta.com/porsche-parts/hardparts.php?dir=996-99-05&section=105-05

Possible it is changed a bit for 2002. I am trying to find this hose. Mine looks like it will start leaking if I stare at it too long. Btw, this is not my car, just a pic I searched.

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Thanks! $20.75 for 996.106.233.51 on pelicanparts.

Note there are 3 versions of that elbow #29 here . In case you can't tell which one, you may want to order all of them and return the wrong ones.

Yup, those are just some of the hoses i replaced on mine AFTER a full coolant flush, thermostat, water pump, tank and cap replacement If you need oem part numbers for a 2002+ (as they are cheaper from Perimeter Altanta than Pelican Parts or other 3rd parties): 99610685103 is the first image posted above by USNA19790 and comes off the tank 99610685006 is the second image listed above by DBJoe (the long one with all the twists and turns which goes from the top side down to the water pump and coolant lines feeding the front rads) 99610622652 is that little joining thing that breaks off if you look at it wrong 99610623356 is the third image posted above by DBJoe (the short u-shaped hose on the lower passenger side of the engine)

Everyone that suggested it was the expansion tank leaking is the winner. Took it in today, they had a spare and replaced it, and the dealer I bought it from paid 100% of the cost. Also got the coolant flushed and replaced. The tech working on the car said what I had appeared to be a mix of several kinds of coolant, so that's good to have replaced as well with official Porsche (pink) stuff.

Great outcome!

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Holy markup Batman!