Newbie worried about coolant leaking

Hi, just bought a 996 and findout that is losing oil but also loosing coolant. I have read that the tank is prone to break and when it happens the parts can go into th engine and break some stuff there. Now I have the car parked until I find out if it needs just to change the tank or if the problem is somewhere else. I am afraid to drive it and that something breaks. I read something about somebody putting a liquid in the tank and then looking with an UV light for the leak. Also something about running the engine without the oil cap to see if it lost pressure and therefore to check if something broke. I am totally blue and would like to know more about what can it be so I dont have to pay infinite hours in a shop just because I don't have a clue. The mechanic saw it and filled the tank with water while the engine was hot and then it went down a lot after I drove for 15 miles(checked after it was cold). Can one of the more experienced guys tell me what to do in order? There has to be some steps to see what can it be. Sorry for the newbie question, this is my first Porsche and it seems like it will be a great teacher when it comes to mechanics. I am amazed of all the information and people willing to help in the forums. I didn't know that Porsche people were really friendly. Thanks guys. ​​

Both the coolant reservoir and the water pump are known failure points and considered maintenance items. Note that many people have found that only the original Porsche coolant reservoirs last, the aftermarket ones not so much. A simple diagnosis would be to see if coolant is dropping onto the ground, from the water pump, or the reservoir when engine is hot. If not, you have an internal leak such as a cracked head leaking coolant into the engine, so you would see water in the engine oil dip stick. As indicated in your other post, these are old cars and many owners do their own work: YouTube and this forum are good places to learn.

Those plastic tanks are prone to break...I had a small leak but hidden behind the tank and than it just gushed out .... https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...t-leaks-2.html

If your plastic coolant tank is leaking you will see the coolant on the ground by the left rear wheel. It often happens after you park it when the engine is hot. The tank expands and makes the cracks bigger, causing it to leak. When mine did it, it leaked one day, was fine the next & then leaked the day after that. You might also smell the sweet smell of coolant when you're driving. If it is leaking and you need to replace it, get the Porsche replacement as the others have been found not to last. Replacing the tank isn't technically hard but it is kind of frustrating trying to get the damn thing in there. Since you seem to be losing both coolant and oil you should check for intermix between the two, just to be safe. Look at the oil dipstick and the oil filler tube and make sure you don't have a yellowish "milkshake" in there.

Coolant tank leaks cab be hard to diagnose as they tend to leak when the car is warm and the fluid under pressure. The tank cracks on the side facing the engine cavity wall where you can't see it due to heat. A endoscope is a good tool to catch the leak when in progress. Also. pressurizing the tank with a Motive bleeder and an old modified reservoir cap will work if you do not want to start the car and wait for it to warm up. The Motive bleeder is an excellent tool for bleeding brakes. The tank is not the most fun part to have to replace. Use OEM part as it is better constructed. Welcome to old Porsche cars. You need a good rainy day slush fund to maintain these cars.

Thank you guys. Does anybody knows the part number for the 996.1 tank? I just learned they can cost 6 times the price of the 996.2. that's just unethical. Such a bummer. What do you guys think of the idea of the contrast UV color that somebody mentioned in another post? I want to double check first if it is the tank and bleeding or putting a pressure instrument seems like a lot of knowledge and instruments are needed. The old owner was very keen into avoiding to buy original parts it seems, he told me he changed the tank but if the original cost that much then he used the not oem one for sure.

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Something tells me this is not the car for you ... if you don't like Porsche parts prices and you do not understand the term "maintenance items."

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Hard words to hear, but I agree with yelcab. Based on your first two posts, and the condition of this car, you're probably not going to have a great time. Cut bait.

Quotes source post: 19597881

Yeah, the 996.1 coolant tank is ridiculously expensive compared to the .2. You can buy the non-Porsche one, it just means that you'll have to replace it sooner rather than later. A well known Porsche rebuilder tried a few of the non Porsche tanks and they had problems early on. So this is one of those situations where there is a clear difference between OE and non-OE. Here's the part on Pelican: https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_In...=c&SVSVSI=3190

There is also a thread here on installing a mk2 tank in an early car. They do fit and i think u just have to trim a hose?

Quotes source post: 19598201

I understand perfectly. I prefer always OEM stuff, just that I dont understand how a tank can cost 800 and the same part for the newer car costs 150, both OEM. If you think that makes me cheap I am willing to take the punch and still I will think it doesn't make sense. Still, I am learning how to figure this car out and my plan is to try to fix things one at a time. I need a kot of help and I am willing to take the criticism of some people.as long as there aresome people sharing valuable info, I am willing to take one trying to put me down. Man, I am still processing how can be sombedy saying that somebody can't have a Porsche just because they think a tank costing 5 times the price of the facelift version is too much. Well... Thanks guys for the help

Quotes source post: 19598587

I did not say you cannot have a Porsche. I said "this [Porsche] is not for you," but a better maintained Porsche maybe for you. Here is the economics of this Porsche ownership. 1. A first timer (you) DIY job replacing the coolant tank takes about 8 hours and a dozen curse words. a. You buy the Porsche tank (and everybody here says so) and you do it ONCE and it's done. You pat yourself on the back for improving the English language. b. You get a non-porsche unit, spent 8 hours putting it in, pay for 6 gallons of coolant ($200), and in six months you have to do it again: 8 hours, $200 coolant, and this time you will pay for the $800 Porsche tank (like everybody here is saying so). 2. The 996 and 997.1 water pump is a maintenance item. Meaning you replace said pump at 50K - 60K miles along with the thermostat BEFORE it blows up on you someplace inconvenient. You replace it with a Porsche one, or a Pierburg (manufacturer of the Porsche pump) that will cost $350 and not the Asian special at $65. That cheap pump will break its bearing, its seal, or its impeller sending the plastic crap all inside the heads causing overheating and head cracks. Don't forget the 6 gallons of coolant you have to replace each time. Your other thread is discussing an oil leak at the RMS or worse. That too is a can of worms. So again, maybe this Porsche is not the car for you. Perhaps another Porsche 911 (like the one Groovzilla just sold) is better for you.

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Now I understand. I was just complaining of the price but unless I find a very good reason to buy a non OEM one, I will go with the OEM in the case that is the tank the one causing the problem (I am by now begging that is the tank and not something worse). I am just cursing beforehand at the price 🤣🤣🤣 Thanks for the detailed info and the time to write it down. I appreciate it.

Quotes source post: 19598884

Yelcab is giving you good advice. Unfortunately, like he pointed out, the car you bought was not taken care of and the two issues you posted about are the tip of the iceberg. There is a whole list of maintenance items that probably haven't been addressed, because if someone was driving around with oil and coolant leaking they probably weren't too concerned about their cam deviation, for instance. If you want to keep this car, my opinion is it would be unwise to replace a very expensive coolant tank without directing that energy to dropping the engine, separating the trans, and addressing the maintenance items. It's a million times easier engine-out, and you're 1/3 of the way just with the tank job. Maybe someone else has had experience replacing a coolant tank and living with a minor/moderate oil leak for an extended period and never having another problem. But, most of us can attest to the need to address RMS, IMS, AOS, cam pads. Can't drive the car without them, at least not for long. It can all be done DIY, and the forum can help, but it could be an overwhelming job for a self-described newbie. If you aren't able or don't want to DIY it - no big deal, but this new-to-you car with problems isn't worth even looking up a Porsche mechanic. It's going to be ruinous $$$. DIY it's still money but you know, reasonable, couple thousand. Ya gotta pay to play, money or time & busted knuckles. This is part of the Porsche experience. Good luck to you either way.

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Actually I am seriously thi king of doing it myself with a friend who has some amateur knowledge. Found a very interesting DIY video that could help others in a similar situation: You Tube I always wanted to learn more about car mechanics, maybe this is a blessing in disguise 🙂 I also have new info. Went to see the car and the oil looks not so bad (I am sharing photos to see your input). And there seems to be some dried liquid under the coolant tank, not a lot but at least something). I am sharing the photos and also of the tank to see if is OEM. What seems like a drop of water Does this tank looks original?

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Where is the overflow tube?

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I found this on the floor of the engine bay. It was not connected to anything. I thought it was a leftover from a previous job. The reference says overflow tube 😳 Sorry for the ignorance but what is that for? I should add that I bought the car 1 month ago and it was having always the red light on the temperature gauge. A mechanic filled the coolant with water (engine hot)and said the valve was open. The red light hasn't come up again. The tank is after a 15 minute drive home again under the minimum line. Now I found the hose on the engine bay.

Quotes source post: 19601587

Hoo boy - let's take a step back. How far to the right was the needle and how long did you drive it like that? Meaning, how many minutes with the coolant light on?

Yikes any red lights on the dash are stop and pull over and dont drive anymore. I had 3 false engine oil failure lights come on and the pulled the hell over as fast I could. I would get the engine/coolant checked before driving longer distances. With my leak I wasnt aware I was low on coolant since I didnt get a red lights on the dash and I was lucky. But cant be driving the 996 around with red lights when it comes to temp

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Well the temp was ok always. There was a red flashing light and I called the seller and he said he just filled everything and that it flashes because of a sensor, I checked online and it says it happens a lot because there are problems with the sensor. I drove from the north of Germany to the south on this info. I believed the guy. When I finally got to check the coolant it was lower than where the minimum sign is by a couple of fingers but not totally empty and it was like a week afterwards.

Quotes source post: 19601769

Thabks man, how long did you drive low on coolant?