Big water leak under car - engine area...

[WilliamsF1]

Hi Forum... again again ;)

I sure have one very troublesome start-up to being a Porsche owner... First I had a RMS problem, thats now fixed and after a MAJOR service where I changed almost everything I thought I was READY to go to Italy in next week - so far mechanic bill is: 3.350 € (incl. brakes exhange)

It's a 98 Boxster with TipTronic.

Three days ago the temp gauge light started flashing, I read that this was due to low coolant fluid so I pored about 0.5 liter 'destilated' water into the car (blue trunk lid) and that solved the problem ... :9

One hour ago I went to pick up my girlfriend after work, it's a half hour drive and I left the car outside for 15 minutes - shut off... when I came back the temp gauge started blinking again.... moved the car 5 meters back and I could see a BIG pool of water (20 cm diameter).

I went to a gas station and filled about 0.5 liters again and sloooowly drove the car home...

I noticed when I parked the car at home that it had also lost one bar of oil level (2 from maximum).

when I got home I left the car running just for 2 minutes and that was enough for it to spill some more water.

I have read on the forum about a cracked coolant-tank - is that the most typical error or is this something much worse ?

I took a picture of my dash when I got home and I thought the temp perhaps was a bit too high - what do you think ?

And what should I do ??

Any help is highly appreciated, I am becomming a bit frustrated...

:renntech:

Quicknote: after my last re-fill I might not have screwed the lid on SUPER TIGHT, but still rather tight - I just wanted to say that in case that makes a difference.

Question more: I just read about a cracked cylinder-head and engine replacement... this got me so nervous! :( are there any sings in my description that I could have a cracked cylinder or would the water not poor so much out if it was a cracked cylinder ?? I hope it would be more 'slow' and not this big pool at once.

Please someone share their knowledge - I am not very relaxed right now... :(

Edited July 4, 2007 by WilliamsF1

[savowood]

Are you running your air conditioner? That could account for the water under the car, although not the lower coolant level. I'd guess you have a damaged coolant line.

When you check the water under the car, is it water or a water/coolant mixture? Where is it located under the car?

As for the temperature, that looks quite normal. Mine's usually even a little higher, but then again, I may drive a little harder than you and the ambient temperature may be a little higher here. I also have a 3.4l motor so things are a little different.

-Michael

[WilliamsF1]

Are you running your air conditioner? That could account for the water under the car, although not the lower coolant level. I'd guess you have a damaged coolant line.

When you check the water under the car, is it water or a water/coolant mixture? Where is it located under the car?

As for the temperature, that looks quite normal. Mine's usually even a little higher, but then again, I may drive a little harder than you and the ambient temperature may be a little higher here. I also have a 3.4l motor so things are a little different.

-Michael

Hi Michael,

Thanks for the reply. Regarding the temp it is probably me who thinks all is wrong because I saw the coolant flush out of the car.

The coolant spill is from the back of the car and I am pretty sure it is not condensation water (thats more between the front wheels).

It is actual coolant being spilled directly out of the car from the back area of the car...

Any suggestions please ? I am still a bit worried - is this 'just a tube' or could it be a cracked cylinder head ?

[scherb]

Hi Forum... again again ;)

I sure have one very troublesome start-up to being a Porsche owner... First I had a RMS problem, thats now fixed and after a MAJOR service where I changed almost everything I thought I was READY to go to Italy in next week - so far mechanic bill is: 3.350 € (incl. brakes exhange)

It's a 98 Boxster with TipTronic.

Three days ago the temp gauge light started flashing, I read that this was due to low coolant fluid so I pored about 0.5 liter 'destilated' water into the car (blue trunk lid) and that solved the problem ... :9

One hour ago I went to pick up my girlfriend after work, it's a half hour drive and I left the car outside for 15 minutes - shut off... when I came back the temp gauge started blinking again.... moved the car 5 meters back and I could see a BIG pool of water (20 cm diameter).

I went to a gas station and filled about 0.5 liters again and sloooowly drove the car home...

I noticed when I parked the car at home that it had also lost one bar of oil level (2 from maximum).

when I got home I left the car running just for 2 minutes and that was enough for it to spill some more water.

I have read on the forum about a cracked coolant-tank - is that the most typical error or is this something much worse ?

I took a picture of my dash when I got home and I thought the temp perhaps was a bit too high - what do you think ?

And what should I do ??

Any help is highly appreciated, I am becomming a bit frustrated...

:renntech:

Quicknote: after my last re-fill I might not have screwed the lid on SUPER TIGHT, but still rather tight - I just wanted to say that in case that makes a difference.

Question more: I just read about a cracked cylinder-head and engine replacement... this got me so nervous! :( are there any sings in my description that I could have a cracked cylinder or would the water not poor so much out if it was a cracked cylinder ?? I hope it would be more 'slow' and not this big pool at once.

Please someone share their knowledge - I am not very relaxed right now... :(

search for and read this:

Coolant Overflow Reservior Crack

I will be doing this soon.. I may do a video of it... or stills.

[WilliamsF1]

I read that thread a few times now :) Thank you!

I sure hope it is 'just' tubes, water pump or reservoir tank-cracks... really hope so!!

Edited July 4, 2007 by WilliamsF1

[WilliamsF1]

I went to the Porsche Shop today...

It was like looking at a DYI from this place :)

They removed the trunk-carpet and under it there was coolant fluid all over the place. Even the insolation was soaked.

BTW. I had the water-cap with the serial .00 - if I get a new tank will I then get the updated .01 lid ?

They put a pressue-tool on the water-lid and water started flowing from the plastic container like a sprinkler!

They could get the part home for 120 £ and labour is 65£ pr hour - I read this was a 2-4 hour job, what do you think is reasonable ?

For anyone else who has the experience I can tell you that the water does not come from just one place. It comes from behind both seats and from the middle area of the car and my car was soo soaked that I could see a trace of water after the car when I parked it. I drove it for 35 minutes to the mechanics and filled it up with water - it had lost quite a lot by the time I got there, but the engine temp never exceeded what I concider normal.

[jporter]

I also have a 98 and I just replaced the coolant tank - found coolant under the back of the car and in the trunk. It was a more difficult task than I initially thought and lasted most of a day. It would have gone faster if I had been brave enough to get under the car on jacks. I also had to go out and buy a tool to open the hard to reach hose clamps. The good news is no more leaks.

[rushrevisited]

I went to the Porsche Shop today...

It was like looking at a DYI from this place :)

They removed the trunk-carpet and under it there was coolant fluid all over the place. Even the insolation was soaked.

BTW. I had the water-cap with the serial .00 - if I get a new tank will I then get the updated .01 lid ?

They put a pressue-tool on the water-lid and water started flowing from the plastic container like a sprinkler!

They could get the part home for 120 £ and labour is 65£ pr hour - I read this was a 2-4 hour job, what do you think is reasonable ?

For anyone else who has the experience I can tell you that the water does not come from just one place. It comes from behind both seats and from the middle area of the car and my car was soo soaked that I could see a trace of water after the car when I parked it. I drove it for 35 minutes to the mechanics and filled it up with water - it had lost quite a lot by the time I got there, but the engine temp never exceeded what I concider normal.

I just had the same problem. When I had the new resevoir put in, they also replaced the cap with the new one. It sounds like you have the cracked coolant tank to me - seems pretty typical after 5-10 years. As for you worrying about the oil level dropping one bar, I wouldn't worry about that either. One bar to me means nothing. Now, if you were having to top off the oil (3 or 4 bars down) every couple days or weeks, I'd be worried - but doesn't sound like that in this case. Have them pull the plastic resevoir out and I bet there is a crack in it...

Edit to add: Also, your temperature looks perfect to me.

Edited July 4, 2007 by rushrevisited

[WilliamsF1]

@ Rush and Jporter

Thanks for both of your replys...

It is the cracked coolant container, just like described. When they put pressure on the plastic tank, coolant sprayed out of the back (the hidden side of the container but the mechanic felt it when he put his hand behind the container)! They have all the tools and lifts necessary I think so hopefully the exchange will not take them a whole day - they are porsche specialists, but they had never experienced this problem with the boxster.

I sure hope they replace my .00 cap, I will definitely ask them to order a new one home if that is not the case - my current one looked very worn!

About the oil level and temp gauge, that was me getting nervous about a cracked cylinder or engine problem so I probably overreacted a bit... I sure hope the coolant problem has not made any permanent damage, when I delivered the car at the shop today everything seemed to run okay except the trail of water I was leaving behind me :) I hope the plastic-tank is the only problem. and the only problem I have to deal with for a while, I would really like to just enjoy my car now - I have a road-trip to Italy planned and I am very nervous about driving now - 3 weeks ago I had oil problems, now I have a coolant problem, so many problems on such a short time ... :(

[986Jim]

I just had the same problem, I got the tank for $180 and changed it myself in about 3 hours. I could do it again now after having done it once in about 2 hours complete I would say. Should have taken a stab at it yourself, it's pretty easy, just time consuming. No special tools or anything like that.

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=6675

Edited July 5, 2007 by 986Jim

[WilliamsF1]

yea... I probably should have tried myself, but unscrewing the CDC-3 cd-changer in the front of my car is the most mechanic thing I have ever done on a car so this would be a big challenge to me ;) especially 2 days before I am leaving to Italy for a long roadtrip (from Denmark)...

Repair cost was: 870 $ incl. 2 new wiper blades and coolant... they quoted 4 hours work including diagnose.

[rushrevisited]

@ Rush and Jporter

Thanks for both of your replys...

It is the cracked coolant container, just like described. When they put pressure on the plastic tank, coolant sprayed out of the back (the hidden side of the container but the mechanic felt it when he put his hand behind the container)! They have all the tools and lifts necessary I think so hopefully the exchange will not take them a whole day - they are porsche specialists, but they had never experienced this problem with the boxster.

I sure hope they replace my .00 cap, I will definitely ask them to order a new one home if that is not the case - my current one looked very worn!

About the oil level and temp gauge, that was me getting nervous about a cracked cylinder or engine problem so I probably overreacted a bit... I sure hope the coolant problem has not made any permanent damage, when I delivered the car at the shop today everything seemed to run okay except the trail of water I was leaving behind me :) I hope the plastic-tank is the only problem. and the only problem I have to deal with for a while, I would really like to just enjoy my car now - I have a road-trip to Italy planned and I am very nervous about driving now - 3 weeks ago I had oil problems, now I have a coolant problem, so many problems on such a short time ... :(

Don't worry about your trip to Italy - you'll be fine. This problem is a very common one, and it doesn't sound like any damage would have been done to your engine. Have fun and enjoy your Boxtser! B)

[WilliamsF1]

Don't worry about your trip to Italy - you'll be fine. This problem is a very common one, and it doesn't sound like any damage would have been done to your engine. Have fun and enjoy your Boxtser! B)

THANK YOU :)

B)

I cant wait - Toscany !