Bummed out - coolant woes

[DadOnRed]

1999 996 < 50k miles original

Started new job this week, Tuesday - noticed a puddle while stopping off at a store. Felt a little incredulous - didn't see anything near the reservoir (from top), nothing hissing, no steam, etc. Maybe < 16 oz on the ground. I got it home and checked after it cooled down - pretty bad. Local dealer said to just top it off with water and bring it in. (added ~ 1/4 gallon of water)

Thought that maybe a hose had a leak - but was told reservoir had a leak (around a seam) - $882 poorer now.

So am in TX - was pretty hot this week. Car has been weekender. Am unsure of using it as a daily driver now.

The questions:

1. Anyone else have this problem?

2. Is it weird to have something like that with low miles? (Never had that happen on any car before.)

3. Please, someone tell me what the operating temp (gauge) should read (in August, in Texas, in 105+ degrees ambient) - It's typically just a little beyond 185, but has been closer to the next hashmark. Any issue with that?

4. Warning indicator never came on at any time. (Hope it and sensor was working!) Should I have had anything else checked?

Appreciate any feedback.

[rattles]

The tanks are $318 at Pelican, how much did they charge for labour? It is a known problem with 996's but the new tank should not have the same issue.

[rb101]

The questions:

1. Anyone else have this problem? --Very common problem.

2. Is it weird to have something like that with low miles? (Never had that happen on any car before.) -- It's not the mileage, a 99 is almost 12 years old, plastic that is exposed to heat and chemicals gets brittle.

3. Please, someone tell me what the operating temp (gauge) should read (in August, in Texas, in 105+ degrees ambient) - It's typically just a little beyond 185, but has been closer to the next hashmark. Any issue with that? -- Sounds fine, I'm in El Paso right now, and I'm just to the right of the zero in the 180.

4. Warning indicator never came on at any time. (Hope it and sensor was working!) Should I have had anything else checked? -- It must not have been low enough to activate the light.

Just make sure all the air was evacuated is out of the system, by checking the level for the next few days and topping off if need be.