coolant leak - overheating

[wang]

Hello

I need help with my 1999 Porsche Boxster, 2.5, Tiptronic, 37,500 miles.

My previous post is related. See previous post, on Dec 11,2011, "low RPMs 2800 max."

On Dec 13, 2011 the car was towed to the Porsche dealer in Reno, NV. $287.50

After paying a bill of $1840. New plugs $16 each, new plug packs $106 each, $700 for an MAF.

On Friday the 16th I drove 44 miles to my residence. Two miles from home the car

started to overheat. The temp gauge needle was half way between 180 and the unmarked line

below the 250 marker. Pulled into the carport and shut off the engine. An hour later I noticed

fluid dripping from the right rear tire well. The fluid was a blue-green color.

The dealer advertises that they have an extensive part inventory. Wrong! I was charged $54

for o/n delivery of the MAF and sales tax. I found the same part number at two online part

houses for $200 and $223.

At one time Porsche had "factory reps" for designated areas. Does anyone know the name

of the rep for the Reno, NV area. Maybe tool pants could contribute regarding the doctrine in

the UCC of "unjust enrichment."

The car sat idle for the holidays. I used Enterprise car rental. On Jan 09, 2012 the car

was towed to a local (non Porsche) repair shop.

Based on online readings I ordered a new tank, 3 gallons of coolant, and 3 gallons of distilled

water. The mechanic with 35 years of experience said the tank is not leaking, The carpet had been

pulled up and out. The coolant dripping is coming from an overflow line by the rr tire. The coolant

color is brown like weak coffee or strong tea. He also pressurized the tank with 16 lbs. It held pressure

for 5 hours. No line leaks anywhere. A new cap was installed. The car overheated for the mechanic

in the same way for me. When the car was towed in the tank was empty. He stared the car and

the tank was over the max line.

How is our logic? What is left? A new water pump or thermostat or both? I think that I should replace

both. I do not think the coolant is flowing through the system. A serious overheating with a tiptronic

and engine would be a total. The car is worth $10K - putting $15K in the car would be a bad idea.

The Reno Porsche dealer is like sliding down the razor blade of life.

Any help and advice is welcome.

Bob

[logray]

Bob, sorry to hear about the trouble.

I would take this in steps...

a.) Check the condition of the coolant carefully once more. If it looks like coffee colored milkshake, that is a sign of intermix. Post some pictures if you are unsure.

b.) Contact PCNA 1-800-PORSCHE customer serivce about the exorbanent charges if you cannot resolve directly with the dealer. I'm surprised they would pass on the freight charges to you. That is very unusual and unreasonable. I won't mention names but I have worked with a few dealers who also charge LIST (RETAIL) PLUS MARGIN. It should be the other way around and I have called them out many times by quoting the retail price which they then honor. I don't mind paying retail, but over retail is robbery. Obviously it pays to shop around because other dealers charge COST PLUS MARGIN, which as you've found provides a substantial savings over retail.

c.) if the car continues to overheat it could be due to the intermix condition, a failed water pump, thermostat, or something more benign such as a temp sensor (or two). The car should not be operated until the source of the problem repaired, overheating is very bad for the engine. I would start with the coolant inspection, followed by perhaps pulling the tstat (test on bench) and/or water pump to inspect for impeller damage.

edit: addition to c... it could also be the leak is introducing air into the system which is causing localized hot spots, certainly find the source of the leak and repair it and properly refill the system with porsche coolant + distilled water using a vacuum system.

Edited January 22, 2012 by logray

[wang]

Logray,

Thank you for your information. I will keep you informed. BTW when something goes wrong it

just not seem to stop. The mechanic dropped by on Sunday evening at 6:00 PM with photos

of a dent in the drivers side air intake. No note was left by the punk.

Thanks for the advice,

Bob

[wang]

Hi readers,

An update to the over heating problem. The non Porsche mechanic's logic was to check

the least expensive parts first. He replaced the tank cap. Still over heated - 200+ degrees in

two miles. He then pulled the hub covering the thermostat and found on a cold engine that

the thermostat was stuck open. He replaced the stat with a 165 degree one. The engine does

not go over 180. The temp reads a needle width below 180. The factory stat was normally a

needle width over 180.

Thanks

Bob

[logray]

Thanks for the update, good result!