Leak in the Trunk

[Hammad]

Hi everyone!

I've been reading around Renntech, seems like the best porsche forum around, so hopefully someone here will be able to help me out!

Water (and im guessing maybe a bit of coolant, because it has a slight greenish colour to it) keeps building up in my trunk (front one)!

I havent noticed anywater inside the car cabin (footwell/under the seats, etc)

Recently, the redlight at the end of the temp. guage has started flasing occasionally.. Usually when the car is cold.. However, my engine does not seem to be overheating, it stays roughly around or slightly above the 80 mark, after driving for an hour or so on the highway.

What should I look for/do?

The cars a 98' Boxster.

P.S. I need to change the one of the headlight bulbs, but I am missing the tool (hex key/screwdriver) that is needed to pop the unit out, where can I find out, and about how much would it cost? (Bought the car last summer, just realized I'm missing that tool)

Any help will be really appreciated!

Thanks,

Hammad

[wvicary]

Check for a cracked coolant exspansion tank, it's very common and any 5mm socket will work for the headlight assembly.

[Hammad]

Check for a cracked coolant exspansion tank, it's very common and any 5mm socket will work for the headlight assembly.

Thanks, Ill go buy the 5mm socket from the local hardware store so I can change the bulb.

also,

I checked the coolant expansion tank at the back, took out the carpet and checked for any leaks (liquid on the ground). It was bone dry! Nothing, no residue.

The tank however was filled just above the minimum mark, so I topped it up (to the max)! Hopefully that'll make the light go away.

But is there sometihng else that I should look for, the leak, the liquid is getting in the front of the car. The hood thats the trunk lol. The back trunk has never given me any trouble like that!

All the water in the front makes my front trunk useless, plus Im afraid it will cause rust over time. I really wanna fix that problem asap!

[1schoir]

Hi everyone!

I've been reading around Renntech, seems like the best porsche forum around, so hopefully someone here will be able to help me out!

Water (and im guessing maybe a bit of coolant, because it has a slight greenish colour to it) keeps building up in my trunk (front one)!

I havent noticed anywater inside the car cabin (footwell/under the seats, etc)

Recently, the redlight at the end of the temp. guage has started flasing occasionally.. Usually when the car is cold.. However, my engine does not seem to be overheating, it stays roughly around or slightly above the 80 mark, after driving for an hour or so on the highway.

What should I look for/do?

The cars a 98' Boxster.

P.S. I need to change the one of the headlight bulbs, but I am missing the tool (hex key/screwdriver) that is needed to pop the unit out, where can I find out, and about how much would it cost? (Bought the car last summer, just realized I'm missing that tool)

Any help will be really appreciated!

Thanks,

Hammad

Hammad:

The flashing light is caused by the coolant level dropping in the coolant tank to below the minimum mark. It sometimes goes on an off as the engine warms up because that causes the coolant level to rise and fall accordingly. Make sure that the coolant is topped up, and only use distilled water to do so (if it's a relatively small amount) or a 50/50 mixture of coolant and distilled water if it's a large amount.

I don't understand how you are getting water in the FRONT trunk, unless the coolant lines that run to each radiator behind the front bumper, or (one of) the radiators themselves, have sprung a leak that is somehow squirting into the front trunk.

You can remove the wheel well liners and, if necessary, the front bumper cover to examine the coolant lines and the radiators. This would be a great opportunity to clean out the debris (leaves, cigarette butts, bird feathers, etc.) that invariably get lodged between each radiator and its companion condenser.

Regards, Maurice.

[Hammad]

Hey Maurice,

I topped up the coolant, it was above the minimum mark, but very slightly. I topped it up till the Max. You were right, the light has not come on since.

I will try and do what you mentioned as well, will let you know how that goes! (yn)

Is there a guide on how to carry out that process (removing all the pieces, covers and etc) I can get the carpet out fairly easily. I just dont want to mess anything else up.

Thanks,

Hammad

[1schoir]

Hey Maurice,

I topped up the coolant, it was above the minimum mark, but very slightly. I topped it up till the Max. You were right, the light has not come on since.

I will try and do what you mentioned as well, will let you know how that goes! (yn)

Is there a guide on how to carry out that process (removing all the pieces, covers and etc) I can get the carpet out fairly easily. I just dont want to mess anything else up.

Thanks,

Hammad

Hammad:

Here is a good DIY, with excellent photos and instructions, on how to remove the front bumper cover and wheel well liners:

http://www.realtime.net/~rentner/

Regards, Maurice.

[wvicary]

Is it actually coolant your finding or just water?? Maybe the front cowling drains are plugged.

[Hammad]

Is it actually coolant your finding or just water?? Maybe the front cowling drains are plugged.

I think its mostly water, but it has a slight green tint to it as well.

As if a lot of water was getting mixed with a little bit of coolant..

I have also realized, more water builds in when i drive the car in rain.

I am pretty certain the water isnt coming from the top and that its coming from the bottom. As none of the sides get wet, just the bottom. the sides stay dry!