there she blows!

[bigmds]

Hi

Have owned car for 8 trouble free years. Last Saturday I noticed there was coolant leaking by the cap when i was topping up the oil. By the time I got home there was a huge and dramatic cloud of steam.

I called out the AA, they tested the cap (was blowing at right pressure). Topped up coolant, They plugged in the diagnostics, everything was fine, until the temp got to 91'C (when the thermostat opened?) then it started to blow out again.

Hope its something cheap and simple (yer right!) , but surely its blowing thru the head gasket or similar.

Engine has always had a little mayo in oil pipe but i thought it was condensation.

What do you all think? any tips on getting it fixed? What do I ask <_< :renntech:

Mark

[phillipj]

Look for water/oil intermix in your oil. If you have "pancake batter" on your dipstick she is dead. If not you should be okay. Is there oil in your coolant? Check that first. If you don't have intermix your issue could not be too bad.

[1999Porsche911]

Probably just a bad cap (even tho they tested it) or a crack in the reservior. When thermostat is closed, those components are not under pressure.

Edited March 24, 2009 by 1999Porsche911

[bigmds]

Thanks all, a couple of points in response

to 1999Porsche911: Actually I get coolant blowout only above 91'C ie when the thermostat is open, there are no symptoms when the engine is colder.

to phillipj: I have always (since 2001) had a little "pancake batter" or "mayo" in the oil refill tube, your comment - "she is dead" - means what? - new gasket?, piston linings?, engine? car?

anyway I'll check for intermix....

[1999Porsche911]

Thanks all, a couple of points in response

to 1999Porsche911: Actually I get coolant blowout only above 91'C ie when the thermostat is open, there are no symptoms when the engine is colder.

That is exactly why I suspect it is the tank or cap. When thermostat opens pressure is introduced to those components.

[deckman]

The yellow mayo like stuff in the oil filler tube is not uncommon and is nothing to worry about. Check the dipstick, if you have the thick discolored stuff there that's a bad thing. Also check your coolant reservoir for the same stuff. If it's clear you should be alright, if not you're having a bad day.

Edited March 24, 2009 by deckman

[bigmds]

The oil seems clear on the dipstick, cant check coolent easily. Autostrasse are looking at it tomorrow so the truth will be reveiled!

:huh:

[phillipj]

I'm sorry if I wasn't clear about the oil on the dipstick. Yes "mayo" on the filler tube is common from condensation.

When mine blew the dipstick was covered in foamy goo. The same substance in the coolant res.

Sounds like you are in good shape if your oil is clear. :clapping: I'm very happy for you.!!!

Like Deckman said.. If it wasn't you would having a "bad day". :o

Good luck when it goes to your mechanic and let us know what the diagnosis was..

Hopefully an easy fix for you..

Edited March 24, 2009 by phillipj

[whs]

Thanks all, a couple of points in response

to 1999Porsche911: Actually I get coolant blowout only above 91'C ie when the thermostat is open, there are no symptoms when the engine is colder.

to phillipj: I have always (since 2001) had a little "pancake batter" or "mayo" in the oil refill tube, your comment - "she is dead" - means what? - new gasket?, piston linings?, engine? car?

anyway I'll check for intermix....

I recently had the same type of issue...coolant pouring out of the coolant tank. Since this tank sits right over the mufflers, it produced quite a bit of a mess and LOTS of steam. My car had the original (MY 99) cap and based on threads here, my first step was to replace the cap with the new version and refill the tank with coolant. Have not had any problems since. It hard to believe that a $10 part can make such a mess. On another note, I assume you used Porsche coolant when you topped off the tank. If not, you may have created a new issue.

[Mother]

The oil seems clear on the dipstick, cant check coolent easily. Autostrasse are looking at it tomorrow so the truth will be reveiled!

:huh:

You are in good hands at Autostrasse I have one of there rebuilt engines and still going strong tell Robert that just mention Steve from Phoenix said hello. GL on problem fix.

[mikop1]

I had a coolant leak on the reservior, check for cracks on the reservior that normally cracks and leaks. easy to replace if it's the problem and doesnt cost much.

[bigmds]

Hey all

The top dudes at Autostrasse have fixed it! :D

The guys replaced faulty radiator cap (£10.65)

then they fixed the offside radiator resistor pack which needed replacement (£51.52)

then there ran it for a bit and there was still clouds of steam

then they found the reservoir had a leak, so I got a spanky new one (now with an overflow pipe) (£145.94)!!

(I know, I know, you all told me so!!!)

so, phew my fears of a bust engine were unfounded...

Thanks everyone for all your help and interest

Mark

PS. The AA added water, autostrasse added anti-freeze, so whats the issue with not using the right coolant?

Anyway my next question :P is I want to put on a sports exhaust, something throaty like the PSE only cheaper.. Fabspeed? Janspeed? any suggestions anyone?

Edited March 28, 2009 by bigmds

[whs]

Hey all

The top dudes at Autostrasse have fixed it! :D

The guys replaced faulty radiator cap (£10.65)

then they fixed the offside radiator resistor pack which needed replacement (£51.52)

then there ran it for a bit and there was still clouds of steam

then they found the reservoir had a leak, so I got a spanky new one (now with an overflow pipe) (£145.94)!!

(I know, I know, you all told me so!!!)

so, phew my fears of a bust engine were unfounded...

Thanks everyone for all your help and interest

Mark

PS. The AA added water, autostrasse added anti-freeze, so whats the issue with not using the right coolant?

Anyway my next question :P is I want to put on a sports exhaust, something throaty like the PSE only cheaper.. Fabspeed? Janspeed? any suggestions anyone?

Good to hear your fix wasn't anything major. As to mixing coolants, mixing coolants can cause the coolant to gel. You can search here to get a much more detailed answer, but safe to say you don't want to do it. As to your exhaust question, you will probably get as many different answers as if you asked which tires. It's more of a personal choice. I have GHLs (mufflers only) and I am very happy with them. The cheapest option with many good reports is to mod your stock mufflers. Do a search here to read more.

Will