Is this normal coolant overflow?

Hello, I just purchased my first 99' 996 a couple months ago. A few times I've noticed a pool of light brown fluid dripping from my driver's side exhaust tip. It seems too watery to be oil, and it appears green when dripping off the exhuast. Is this normal coolant overflow from driving it hard? I've attached a picture:

Loose cap? I think "none" would be normal, even after hard driving.

The early 996's had faulty coolant expansion tanks that would crack and leak. This is a known issue in the 99 models, some get them while others do not.

Doesn't look very 'normal' to me. I'd have it checked.

Thanks for the comments... The coolent level is a bit low, so I'll have it checked out. Hopefully I won't have any problems with my "Repair Master" entended warranty covering it.

It's a cracked reservoir, for sure. I had 2 of these replaced under warranty in the first 6 months I owned the car. No problems last 3 years. Good luck!

This is a recall item on early 996 models. It is fixed by replacing the coolant expansion tank. Some dealers will fix it on goodwill. Mark

Both the early caps and tanks leaked. It could be either.

A replacement coolant tank cost me $635 for parts and labor. (edit* - They showed me the tank and it had a crack in it. The tank ran me $250 + misc parts + $300 labor + tax, etc...) F.Y.I. - I totally got screwed by my 3rd party Repair Master Warrantech extended warranty provider. After I bought the 996 I was told several times that the warranty automatically transfers over to the new owner. I read through the big warranty booklet but I must have missed the one line that said I have to file a transfer claim within 30 days of new ownership. Well I've had the car for 2 months now, and after talking to Warrantech, they basically said I'm screwed and their warranty is no longer valid. They said there are no exceptions to the 30day rule. They said my only course of action is to have the previous owner cancel the warranty, and try and get back a partial refund of the warranty. That's total BS. Warrantech is the worst company I've ever had to deal with. If I had known that my Warrantech warranty was useless, I would have done the install myself. Lesson learned... Make sure to read all the fine print on your warranty coverage booklets. Since then I have purchase the 1SourceAutoWarranty as a replacement. P.S. - I also got the gold colored coolant fluid now. The green coolant was the older type they used to use.

I had the same problem.. my coolant bleeder valve was leaking.... the tank was ok... I have a 99 C2... first time it leaked.... dealer charged me 1 hr labor and $40 bucks for the part.... its not always a cracked tank.

All, I have seen much mention of the early 996 collant issue. I have a 99 996 and occasionally smell coolant when I get done driving the car. I have not noticed the level problem but have replaced the cap (my dealer service tech just handed me one in case that was it... I cannot say enough about how supportive they are) Many of you have mentioned that this is a "known problem". Is there a TSB I can refference please or is this just kind of one of thoose lore things that I have to go hammer out with them? Just trying to get some facts before I go... and thanks for all the information. I am very knew to the Porsche scene. My brother has been in it for ages and I am a recent NSX/S2000 convert. I drove a 996 and fell in love but am not used to the Porsche repair "experience". I have had a coolant overflow in moderate driving conditions on a hot day in Texas but would not have thought of coolant bottle leak until you mentioned it here (my last car had a converted tank from plastic to aluminum to avoid this). such an important part should be durable. A blow or a leak can be fatal very quickly...esp in Texas. Thanks in advance for anything you can offer.... Doug 1999- 996 Yellow

looks like you may not have porsche anti-freeze. looks too green to me. You may want to have that checked!!

Well, Dealer called me back today. Confirmed that is was the coolant bottle that was cracked and leaking on my MY99 996. I noticed it first by the smell of burning coolant when I would stop the car. Then I found a small puddle on the floor (about 1ft by 1 foot) on my pre-drive walk around and confirmed the coolant bottle was at the bottom of the visible bottle. Extended warranty covered the repair (well I am told they are waiting on the payment from them today) minus my $100 deductible for the repair. Add me to the list of the MY99 996 coolant bottle failures. <shrug>

This was the same thing that happened to my 01 C4... it was under warranty. The temp light would blink... they had to fix it twice but it's fixed up now!

If you don't mind... and I know.. read the FAQ.... I noticed the comment on green coolant. Mine was a golden sort of color almost bronze... is that correct ? Deffinately not green... I know Porsche has a different coolant and wondered if that is what this was. It is flushed I belive with this repair, If not I will shrug and probably do it myself with the reccomended coolant.... Thanks

any coolant leak from a 99 996 is serious cause for concern. it is a strong indication of oil/coolant mix and serious engine problems, goood luck.

the goldish/orange colored coolant is the newer technology, long life coolant. the green coolant is the older, shorter life stuff. you should never mix these in your cooling systems, and always use the goldish colored stuff in your p-car. and to answer your initial question, any sort of coolant leak indicates a problem!

Well, Got it back from the dealer. It was the coolant bottle for sure (not sure if I mentioned this.. I have slept nd worked WAY to much since.) They replaced it mostly under my extended warranty. I had to pay the deductible and some misc shop fees (well they gave me the car back... the warranty company still has not payed .. kind of curious how that will play out). Got new coolant, new bottle and cap, no more stinky smell and no more drips after some weekend test drives and clean cardboard under the back of car to look for leaks... looks like problem solved... Odd question.. my last coolant bottle was a diffent color of plastic then my new one... my new one looks VERY translucent white compared to the last one. Not sure if they maybe changed materials or if it was that the other was discolored from aging... but the difference in color is MORE than subtle. On the up side... it is MUCH easier to see the coolant level with the desparate colors of the tank and the coolant now. Be well all and happy new year...

I recently did some work to my car including water pump, belt, spark plugs, oil tubes and motor mounts. Anyhow, when I filled the coolant reservoir I overfilled it. I didn't think much of it. I went for an couple hour ride and checked under the car just to make sure everything was holding up. I noticed one drop of coolant, but the odd part is is was up towards the front of the engine near where it meets the tranny. Later that night, I took it out again for a 15 min. drive and noticed a larger amount of coolant on the ground- about 1/2 cup. I guess my question is has anyone had this experience where the fluid comes from the front of the engine? I've read conflicting things- that the coolant system is closed and doesn't have an overflow. I've also read that there is an overflow. If there is an overflow, where does it dump out. By the way, I park on a slight decline which of gravity had its way would move the coolant towards the exhaust, not the trans. It's been sitting since- no noticing drips, but I haven't looked underneath. Thanks! By the way, I'm aware of the problems with coolant tanks, I just don't think it's likely to be coming from there.

1) It's ALIIIIVE! Heh. Holy necrothread. 2) The system is sealed and shouldn't be venting any coolant. Either the tank is cracked - which you might have done when servicing the cooling system - or the cap needs replacing. Looking at the list of stuff you did, I don't see anything that makes it obvious why coolant would be leaking in an unusual location. I'd check and make sure that your new pump isn't leaking and that the coolant isn't just running back along the motor and dripping from the lowest point...

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The air-oil separator is up in the front where the trans meets the engine, and it has coolant running through it via 2 small hoses, so that could possibly be your leak.

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The genuine Porsche coolant should be pink in color. That is what I bought at the dealer and my independent shop uses it as well.

New coolant should be pink ... VW/audi , porsche or Pentosin sf ... Probably all the same stuff If the coolant had been in the system for many years it might come out green as original dye fades away (or brown from leaking bottle). Hopefully no one mixed regular green coolant with the correct porsche stuff ...

There is an overflow. The cap (part # should end in .04) has a valve that will vent fluid into the drain and, depending on where the hose has been routed, it will drip down onto cyl #2 coil. If you overfill the tank enough it will vent. Your level should be just above the "Min" line when the car is completely cold. It should be just below the "Max" line when completely warmed up. The square bail peg (vacuum break for help bleeding) will be fully extended. two pics attached. 1 = bad cap, 2 = cracked 2003 tank.

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+++ ^ This. Been there, done that.

What is the life of the newer coolant tanks ? Po replaced original tank in my 2002 - I think around 2006 - so mine is now 10 years old ...

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Ever buy something with a "lifetime warranty"? I always ask...whose lifetime...mine? The thing? What? Mostly met with a shrug and I don't know...it's total BS. It will last as long as it lasts...and then it will leak.