Doctor, I've got a green leak.....

[benaldo]

Morning Doctor, I'm a '99 996 and have only recently met my new owner a few weeks ago.

We were out yesterday on a short journey in this hot weather and when we returned home I must have got a bit excited and suddenly realised that I was dripping green coloured fluid just over my left exhaust pipe (passenger side) on to the driveway . All in all it was probably about a small cup full but I don't know if I was also leaking when we were out on the road.

I didn't show my owner any warning lights and it seems to have stopped now but I am worried. Has it stopped because I am out of green liquid or simply because of this hot weather? Please help me out because we are still getting to know each other and I don't want to hurt his wallet too much.

P.S. I do have my OPC health insurance warranty but not sure if they will cover me.. I live in the NW so local independent prices would be appreciated !

Thanks

Blue 996, Cheshire

[sambaman]

Doctor replys ; get rid of the bloody water pumper and buy a proper 911 my son ......buy yourself a 993 !! I PROMISE YOU WONT HAVE ANY WATER LEAKS ..... except maybe a split pipe to the headlight washers ....LOL

[slippydiff]

Sambaman, a "proper" 993 wouldn't have pipes to the headlamp washers...............................

Benaldo, check your coolant header tank, they're a known weak point and have been the subject of a recall I'm led to believe.

[sambaman]

a 993 is a 993 my son !!! which ever model , much nicer than those slung together water pumpers .....LOL

slippydiff said:

Sambaman, a "proper" 993 wouldn't have pipes to the headlamp washers...............................

Benaldo, check your coolant header tank, they're a known weak point and have been the subject of a recall I'm led to believe.

[BliarOut]

Coolant header tank has split. It's the most common fault on a 996. Should be covered by your warranty but if not it's about £200 to have one fitted in an indie. It's quite a simple DIY job as well.

TADTS

[Vesuvius 996]

This happened to me. Either a new header tank (new design) done under goodwill by OPC or £200 at an indy.

Either that or it might be the cap. Try that first - £8.

[benaldo]

Thanks for the replies - I'm glad I got a second opinion from others after Sambaman's first diagnosis !!

I'll send my owner to the OPC to see if he can get it under warranty/recall.

Is there any problems driving me in the meantime? short distances ?

[BliarOut]

None whatsoever, just top her up as and when the light comes on. I drove mine like that for six months before the nagging light finally got to me. Obviously if the leak becomes a flood that advice goes out the window but it's extremely unlikely to get much worse. Chances are it usually happens when you 'press on' but doesn't happen in day to day driving.

[fieldl]

Is the coolant tank covered under extended warranty ?
I didn't think it was....

[sambaman]

only in fun benaldo !!

benaldo said:

Thanks for the replies - I'm glad I got a second opinion from others after Sambaman's first diagnosis !!

I'll send my owner to the OPC to see if he can get it under warranty/recall.

Is there any problems driving me in the meantime? short distances ?

[benaldo]

Maybe after a passenger ride in your GT2 will I grant forgiveness !!

[benaldo]

Thanks for the comforting words BliarOut.

Has anyone had it done under warranty ???

[Vesuvius 996]

My OPC (East London) changed mine and I didn't pay. Think it might have been goodwill not warranty but not sure.

Try a new cap first. Also, when teh car is stone cold, lift the bleed valve on the tank to let any air out.

It might just be a bit full tbh. As long as the engine temp remains under 100 no issues on running the car.

In this hot weather my car has been running between 85 and 95 depending on traffic, and has weeped a little coolant from the cap, as I suspect I topped it up a little too much last time.

BTW top it up with the genuine Porsche coolant - NEVER use anything else. EVER

I reckon some of the cracked cylinder problems MIGHT come from people using the wrong coolant as the Porsche coolant is specific stuff with particular qualities (such as lasting the life of the car...)

Edited by Vesuvius 996 on Monday 24th July 10:18

[Denis O]

Vesuvius 996 said:

BTW top it up with the genuine Porsche coolant - NEVER use anything else. EVER

I reckon some of the cracked cylinder problems MIGHT come from people using the wrong coolant as the Porsche coolant is specific stuff with particular qualities (such as lasting the life of the car...)

Edited by Vesuvius 996 on Monday 24th July 10:18

And what colour is the official coolant? The stuff I bought from OPC Tonbridge is pink and must not be diluted. In many previous threads the coolant has been described as green and you must dilute. WTF.

[Vesuvius 996]

Denis O said:

Vesuvius 996 said:

BTW top it up with the genuine Porsche coolant - NEVER use anything else. EVER

I reckon some of the cracked cylinder problems MIGHT come from people using the wrong coolant as the Porsche coolant is specific stuff with particular qualities (such as lasting the life of the car...)

Edited by Vesuvius 996 on Monday 24th July 10:18

And what colour is the official coolant? The stuff I bought from OPC Tonbridge is pink and must not be diluted. In many previous threads the coolant has been described as green and you must dilute. WTF.

Hmm. I bought some and it was red. The last lot was green.

I reckon I might get them to flush the system for me and use new coolant.

[Gibo993]

Northway informed me that mine was split, I checked and its not covered under Warranty.
Can not understand why it would not be??

I plan to try a new cap and if not try and replace it myself, loads of info on Rennlist how to do it.

[Denis O]

Gibo993 said:

Northway informed me that mine was split, I checked and its not covered under Warranty.
Can not understand why it would not be??

I plan to try a new cap and if not try and replace it myself, loads of info on Rennlist how to do it.

I think if it's split Gibo then a new cap ain't gonna help. Replacements the only way. The cap change to the newer 01 suffix is because the old caps were prone to leaking.

[fieldl]

Gibo993 said:

Northway informed me that mine was split, I checked and its not covered under Warranty.
Can not understand why it would not be??

[cynic mode=on]Because they know it's crap[/cynic mode]

The coolant from the OPC should be green. It should also be dilluted.

Edited by fieldl on Monday 24th July 15:09

[Gibo993]

Mine went in to OPC on friday to have the engine coolant gasket?? replaced under warranty,

Since then I have had a proper coolant leak form the header tank over the left exhaust.

and its green!!

I will order a tank an attempt the swap myself as OPC wanted to charge £300 +

[benaldo]

I confirmed with the local OPC too that it isn't covered under warranty and the fully fitted price came back as £423.00.....

Fortunatly, it hasn't leaked since and the temperature is staying normal so I am hoping that it might have been an over-fill which has now sorted itself out.