718 CS - Coolant Filler Question

[SK555]

Morning PH'ers,

Last night I did a short (10~ minute) journey in the Cayman before parking up for 2 hours for dinner before driving home. When I started the car on the return leg I got a ' Low Coolant' warning on the dash. I thought I would be ok to get home slowly but then got a "Top up coolant' immediately" message, so i stopped to let the car cool down.

I know there is a common issue on 2018 cars for issues with the coolant sensor, and given the car stayed in the temp range when I made it home i dont suspect a leak etc. One thing I did notice, is the coolant filler neck I have (pics below) differs from the one I have seen online.

Mine :


Ones I have seen online :


I was planning on buying a top up bottle of coolant to keep in the car, but cant see the min level. The red float is also 'missing' from mine?

Not sure if there is a new (or old) version of this part, or even a distinction between UK/US parts but just want to check nothing is wrong.

Cheers

[981Boxess]

My car (981) has the one in the lower picture, but regardless of which type you have, when checking the coolant level (not driven for hours cold) you would not want the coolant to be sitting covering the "MAX" marking, so as close to that but below it as possible.

[esuuv]

My 718 has the same coolant filler as the top picture like your car.

They do like to eat water pumps - and this can throw all sorts of odd errors with the coolant level / temp sensors.

[981Boxess]

esuuv said:

My 718 has the same coolant filler as the top picture like your car.

They do like to eat water pumps - and this can throw all sorts of odd errors with the coolant level / temp sensors.

Which engine is this, the 4 cylinder?

[Armitage.Shanks]

esuuv said:

My 718 has the same coolant filler as the top picture like your car.

They do like to eat water pumps - and this can throw all sorts of odd errors with the coolant level / temp sensors.

Same style for my 718 2.0. The 'max' is at the base of the filler neck. I'd refill and then monitor. If it drops there'll be a leak somewhere and if the water pump has never been changed that's where I'd look. Then you have the 'rabbit hole' of chasing any issues with the vacuum lines and various solenoids to make sure there's no water in the vacuum system. It took my Indy 3 visits to get it right after the pump was changed and then identfying the faulty solenoid. Perfect once done and I never went near the coolant cap ever again.

From memory a new pump is c£200 and not too difficult to fit.

Make sure you've got the revised coolant cap (has the psi rating on it) and don't overtighten. When closed it should align straight (horizontal).

[SK555]

Thanks all - I will top it up (carefully) and keep an eye on it. Never had any leaks under the car and the level has been stable for the past week.

I assume any tell tale signs of external leaks would be the usual white smoke etc

[LiamH66]

My 718 GTS 4.0 showed a low coolant level at about 2500 miles from new, many months after first use. Now on about 11,500 miles, and the warning has never showed again. I think they just take their time to "burp" themselves of any air in the system occasionally.

Liam