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Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCH996 Coolant dropping but no leak
Reported repair
Use car as normal
Reported resolution
1
Reported fixes
0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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Reported fix
I used the car as normal for 2-3 weeks and its back on level but not dropping and no more leaks.
Leading evidence: 'Use car as normal' (1 discussions report resolution; 0 report an unsuccessful attempt). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'expansion tank' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Use car as normal' (1 discussions). For that action, 1 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. The most frequently reported fix is 'Use car as normal', supported by resolution reports in 1 discussions. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Reported cause
I had the same recently, it was the expansion tank.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I'd not noticed any coolant leaks for 18 months and whenever I checked the level with a torch behind the top of the tank it has always been dead level on the minimum line.
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Suspected cause
You will be able to get your hand onto the suspect area quite easily.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I'd not noticed any coolant leaks for 18 months and whenever I checked the level with a torch behind the top of the tank it has always been dead level on the minimum line.
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
If you still haven't found the fault, leave the car running until the cooling fans come on (make sure your aircon is off so the fans aren't enabled by that).
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.
15 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
911uk: 1 discussions
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Generation: 20261026T144035Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
I think I’ve found a few threads about this, but I have the low coolant flash after about 20 mins after topping up regularly. Must have added about 3 litres so far. No obvious leaks, no mayo in oil filler. Seems to be the original filler cap, so I ordered a new updated one just in case. Also left bleed valve open for 30 mile drive. Anything else to check? Original header tank, as it’s yellowing.., perhaps a crack in that?
I had the same recently, it was the expansion tank.
From my research the tank cracks vertically from the temperature sender. You will be able to get your hand onto the suspect area quite easily. If it is cracked you will either feel the crack or you will feel a different texture where the tank should be smooth.
If this is the case then there is a nifty fix to get you out of trouble. get a narrow soldering iron and gently melt the crack back together, This is followed by the application of a line of 5 min araldite clear epoxy resin. This will cure the leak until such time as you fit a new tank.
When mine started to leak I pressure tested the cooling system for 15 minutes, and there was no drop in pressure but take it on a run and you could see the water dripping out.
The tank is not expensive as it is from a Ford so expect to pay about £58 on ebay, but fitting it is time consuming so my temporary method has been very useful until i drop the engine.
If you've got a leak anywhere at all you should be able to see pink residue
My 98 C2 was loosing coolant the PO told me but no sign of it. Turns out when it was warming up to full temp the little bung at the base of the o/s radiator was leaking really badly but going onto the road so you couldn't see any dried on residue.
The MOT station found it when it was being run up for emissions on the lift , it was pouring out but nothing at all at normal temps.
Rather than keep throwing parts at the problem, just diagnose it properly.
Get the car up to temp. Park on the drive and leave it running.
Put your heater on in the car and see it you can smell coolant coming through the air vents, if you can, you need a new heater matrix - very common on the age of yours now.
Look for any visible drips under the car.
Go to each front wheel arch and smell for coolant. Also look for steam coming out either around your front wheel arch or around the headlight area.
Monitor round the expansion tank if it's leaking, also water pump.
If you still haven't found the fault, leave the car running until the cooling fans come on (make sure your aircon is off so the fans aren't enabled by that).
Porsche usually leave them running for 20 to 30 minutes like this to test for leaks. There's low speed fans, then high speed kicks in when getting too hot, but you high speed probably won't come on unless you do it on a hot day.
I was going to start a thread on a similar situation but thought I would add to this one;
I'd not noticed any coolant leaks for 18 months and whenever I checked the level with a torch behind the top of the tank it has always been dead level on the minimum line. About a month ago, for some reason, I decided to top it up to the max line, so added a few small splashes of deionised water.
The car had been used weekly and nothing noted, but then when I took it out of the garage the next time I spotted a tiny amount of pink coolant on the garage floor, like a teaspoon full or less under the rear passenger side and a I could see a small amount of tell-tale dried pink staining on the exhaust manifold.
I used the car as normal for 2-3 weeks and its back on level but not dropping and no more leaks. Then I filled it up to max again and again within 2 weeks there's a teaspoon full of coolant on the garage floor, once, but no more leaks and on minimum level?
The vent valve appears to be closed, no residue around the cap and I am a bit confused?!
Ok, diagnostics done and I’m not sure it’s a good result. No leaks or smells, BUT lots of vapour from O/S exhaust pipe and fluid sitting in the tailpipe. However, it has been torrential rain for hours. I’ve noticed the vapour from cold start a few times recently, but it usually stops after a few miles. Also it doesn’t happen every time.
Checked the oil and it’s clean, no mayo anywhere
3 litres is a lot, crack in cylinder wall opens up more when engine gets warm and exits as steam out of exhaust. No visible leaks anywhere is bad news.
I couldn’t feel anything obvious, but it was pissing with rain and I had another car in the dry garage, so I’ll need to do it again.
Just filled it up with coolant, had another short run, got up to temperature but no vapour whatsoever from the tailpipe. Very curious
