18 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHWarning: Avoid aftermarket coolant expansion tanks and coolant level sensors.
Leading reported evidence
Replace expansion tank three times
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
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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1
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Warning: Avoid aftermarket coolant expansion tanks and coolant level sensors.
Frequently discussed work
Recommend always
No successful repair reported for this finding.
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0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
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Discussions that contain suggestions
1
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Suggestion
(One reason why I will continue to give him my business and send people his way) I would recommend always inspecting, and if possible, testing components prior to installing them.
Warning: Avoid aftermarket coolant expansion tanks and coolant level sensors.
Read full discussion summary
Leading evidence: 'Replace expansion tank three times' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Recommend always' (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 contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
(One reason why I will continue to give him my business and send people his way) I would recommend always inspecting, and if possible, testing components prior to installing them.
Warning: Avoid aftermarket coolant expansion tanks and coolant level sensors.
Replace 3 times" group
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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 contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
Could not agree more - I am also in the "replaced 3 times" group, because I returned and got a replacement aftermarket sent to me - when that one leaked I I threw it in the garbage and drove straight to Porsche stealership - I should have just asked for a refund.
Warning: Avoid aftermarket coolant expansion tanks and coolant level sensors.
Replace sensor
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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 contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
I don't understand this so maybe time to change the sensor.
Warning: Avoid aftermarket coolant expansion tanks and coolant level sensors.
Run along the inside of the body
Suggestion or failed attempt
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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 contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
It doesn't fit in my '99 C4 engine bay as there is a hard pipe running along the inside of the body that is in the way...this is from experience...alcohol influenced internet purchase....apparently still in training.
Warning: Avoid aftermarket coolant expansion tanks and coolant level sensors.
Frequently discussed actions (8)
These are separate views of the same evidence. Frequency alone does not establish a fix, and these counts must not be added together.
Recommend always
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
(One reason why I will continue to give him my business and send people his way) I would recommend always inspecting, and if possible, testing components prior to installing them.
Warning: Avoid aftermarket coolant expansion tanks and coolant level sensors.
Replace 3 times" group
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
Could not agree more - I am also in the "replaced 3 times" group, because I returned and got a replacement aftermarket sent to me - when that one leaked I I threw it in the garbage and drove straight to Porsche stealership - I should have just asked for a refund.
Warning: Avoid aftermarket coolant expansion tanks and coolant level sensors.
Run along the inside of the body
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
It doesn't fit in my '99 C4 engine bay as there is a hard pipe running along the inside of the body that is in the way...this is from experience...alcohol influenced internet purchase....apparently still in training.
Warning: Avoid aftermarket coolant expansion tanks and coolant level sensors.
Test components prior
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
Discussions that contain suggestions
1
0 original-poster resolution reports. Counts can overlap; they are not unique people or a success rate.
0 discussions have direct query context; 0 report a fix in that context. Other evidence may inherit the discussion’s subject.
Suggestion
(One reason why I will continue to give him my business and send people his way) I would recommend always inspecting, and if possible, testing components prior to installing them.
Warning: Avoid aftermarket coolant expansion tanks and coolant level sensors.
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.
0 acknowledgements have no verified action link; they do not establish a repair result.
Generation: 20261026T200546Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
TL;DR: Aftermarket tanks leak. Get one from Porsche. Aftermarket coolant level sensors throw electrical gremlins: buy the real thing.
THANK YOU to everyone who has read my questions and complaints about replacing the coolant expansion tank, and about the oddly flashing temp level sensor. I've now replaced the expansion tank three times. Downside- what a waste of time, and a lot of time with the 996 out of commission! Upside... I can now do a full swap in under 45 minutes.
Pelican Parts sold me two separate "OEM" aftermarket expansion tanks, each leaked in a different way. They sold me two "OEM" aftermarket coolant level sensors; each caused the coolant light to flash slowly (indicating a failed fan or low coolant level, neither of which was true). To their credit, they did refund me for each tank, but I had to pay return shipping for the first. I then went to the dealer, bought the parts, and have not experienced any problems at all.
I take this as a lesson: don't try to save a few hundred bucks on parts. I think folks on this forum have tried to teach this lesson, but I guess it went over my head. I hope sharing this experience will help some of you newer 996 owners.
Hugs,
T.Dub
1999 C2 Aero
What I found a lot of aftermarket manufacturers are playing slight of hand masquerading as Porsche factory parts by saying "OE" or "OEM" on their advertisement. I was advised to look for "Porsche
Genuine
Parts" or order straight from a Porsche dealership parts dept. But I completely agree with the OP on this one. Order the genuine part. Too much trouble doing it twice.
Yep, I learned my lesson too. Two after market tanks in the past year and now getting a genuine Porsche tank from a dealer for a third change out this winter. I'm getting good at it too, but still a pain in the butt. Anyone know the physical difference between the 996.1 and 996.2 tanks as the 996.2 tank is 1/4 the price?
I generally agree with all of the above. Maybe I'm just lucky, but I bought an aftermarket coolant tank from Warehouse33 (Rennlist sponsor) 4 years ago and it's been fine. It's one that is made in Germany and was about 1/3 the price of a Porsche MK-I tank that costs over $600. I bought a genuine Porsche cap and level sensor.
Wish I knew! Their staff were polite and acknowledged my concern, but didn't know anything about the 996 911, so were not able to suggest alternatives, or whether this was a common problem or not.
I guess I was the lucky 'new guy owner' that bought this tank off ebay "OEM exact fitment":
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Porsche-911...72.m2749.l2649
and then a febi-bilstein expansion tank cap and have had no issues in almost 2 years---- except the sensor does the slow flash once in awhile. The old tank wasn't leaking, but sure looked like it could crumble apart at any time. It seems to come on when I first start off in the car and am a little too spirited on the throttle. I turn the car off, back on and drive normal for a bit and then I can do whatever and it does not come back on. I don't understand this so maybe time to change the sensor.
I have to agree, certain parts need to be factory and from what I have learned now, I would not have bought aftermarket, but I did and got lucky.
Could not agree more - I am also in the "replaced 3 times" group, because I returned and got a replacement aftermarket sent to me - when that one leaked I I threw it in the garbage and drove straight to Porsche stealership - I should have just asked for a refund. I enjoy wrenching cars, but doing this job the third time WAS NOT FUN. I realize you can get lucky but its not worth it! I hope this thread lives on for eternity and saves some folks this hassle.
The 996.2 coolant tank is longer than the 996.1 (mounts exactly the same but extends further towards the front of the car). It doesn't fit in my '99 C4 engine bay as there is a hard pipe running along the inside of the body that is in the way...this is from experience...alcohol influenced internet purchase....apparently still in training.
I bought my coolant expansion tank from
@Warehouse33.net
and haven't had any issues (knock on wood) with the unit I installed. When I received my first package, I thoroughly inspected the tank since and found it had been damaged in handling. Jason took care of me and had a replacement sent out immediately. (One reason why I will continue to give him my business and send people his way) I would recommend always inspecting, and if possible, testing components prior to installing them.
I haven't tried them, but since you had such a good experience, they're on my list for the next set of repairs.
I wish I could have tested the tank before installation. Plugging all the holes and bringing it up to pressure isn't an easy task. There was no visible problem with either of the bad tanks- one leaked from a seam, and the other leaked from bad cap threads.
