Coolant level

[avdiscolo]

I have a new '06 997 C2S with approximately 3600 miles, and I have a question about coolant level.

The manual says that you should check the level when the engine is cold and the car is level. I've been doing this since I got the car, and when the cold level dropped about 1/2" below the MIN mark, I took it to the dealer. The dealer pressure checked the system and said everything was okay. Over the past month, the cold coolant level dropped to about 3/4-1" below MIN level and I took it into the dealer again this morning. The service technician said that you should check the coolant when the car is warm by depressurizing the system. When he did this, the coolant level rose signifiantly above MIN, maybe to MAX. He said that they would pressure check the system again, but he didn't think there was a problem.

I tend to believe the manual more than the service technician, but what is the RIGHT way to check the coolant level? Do I have a problem or not?

Thanks,

Anthony

[Loren]

When the engine is cold and the car is level the fluid level must lie between the “MIN” and “MAX” markings.

Mine has always read fine using the manual's instructions.

[avdiscolo]

When the engine is cold and the car is level the fluid level must lie between the “MIN” and “MAX” markings.

Mine has always read fine using the manual's instructions.

Well, after bringing the low coolant level to the dealer for the third time, they are going into the motor to find the source of the leak. They said the coolant pressure test without oil (where they wait for the leaking coolant to drip onto the oil pan), did not produce any coolant, but that one of the spark plugs did not look quite right. When I asked the dealer about the possiblities, he said that if it turns out to be the head gasket, they would replace the gasket. Of course, if it turned out to be a defective engine block, they would replace the motor. Even though the motor only has 6800 miles on it, I would be worried even a small amount of coolant would have done to the inside of the cylinder.

Any advice? I'm trying to remain positive.

Thanks,

Anthony

Edited January 13, 2007 by avdiscolo

[csory]

Having a blown gasket in an engine with so few miles on the clock - sound pretty bad and pretty unusual. However, still a possibility. Are you sure that the coolant level was checked when the engine was totally cold (after an overnight rest), as it normally falls below min level while the engine is warm? Also, leaking coolant would leave easy-to-read evaporation marks (read, scale-like spots). Engine oil looks okay? (This much water getting into engine oil would definitely turn it into an opaque grayish substance.) Hope that it will turn out good for you...