Coolant / Temp Related

[PGC9]

I know this is a topic often reviewed here on the forum but I was looking for a little more help prior to just letting my local mechanic ream me for a few thousand dollars. Use the forum often, rarely (if ever) post, but have been far more active on equivalent sites for cars I've owned in past (Audi/BMW/etc)...

Have an 04 Cay S, 87k miles, owner for past 16 months, probably drive 1200-1500mi/month. About 2 months ago, in traffic temp gauge went above 220 - i know it is very common for it to fluctuate in that 180-220 range but this was first ever time it went beyond. Was home about 1 mile later with no real issue. The next morning I got the "check coolant level" message, figured I could get to my mechanic 20 miles away and about 17 miles of the way there, got stuck in a little morning traffic and it quickly overheated, I sort of saw it coming so immediately pulled over and turned it off and waited for AAA.

Shop replaced the water pump, coolant pipes (from the old plastic ones), flushed the coolant, etc. and for about 6 weeks all ran smooth, and even with being in some traffic never got past 180-190 temp wise. Over past 7 days its quickly become worse and is willing to fluctuate above 180 pretty quickly and certainly smells like coolant once parked.

I have added to prior threads -

1) http://www.renntech.org/forums/topic/42289-coolant-smell-always-evrything-replaced/ - in posting #7, does anyone know what the part is in the bottom right of the diagram? almost looks like a filter? that is leaking - what part is that and is it a major reason for conern?

2) http://www.renntech.org/forums/topic/42643-ac-dryer-2004-cs/ - does this user's issue correlate to me at all?

Thanks for your help!

[PKN]

OK - yes the thing in the diagram is in fact the oil filter. If they changed the coolant pipes and water pump, the main thing to worry about is the coolant reservoir. If it is leaking there should be evidence on the inner fender. When my water pump went, it dripped from behind the oil sump which makes it sound as though the water pump is the offender again. One thing is for sure, the temp got way too high. I will also say that after I changed the water pump, it took a few days and a couple of fast runs to kick the turbos in to burp the air out. It easily took another gallon of coolant after the first filling. Maybe the garage did not get all of the air out. Check what is leaking to make sure it is the sticky porsche coolant. If it is clear, it could just be condensate from the AC. Good luck

Steve

[wvicary]

Are the cooling fans operating?

[PGC9]

Thanks for the help guys.

@wvicary I hear them and they remain running for a few minutes once the car is off so i don't foresee that being an issue. With that said, anything specific I should be looking for or is the ear test good enough?

@PKN, i went to my guy and had him check everything at which point he thought the coolant looked fine, was topped off, and we didn't smell any of the syrupy-coolant smell. I drove off. This was about a week ago. This AM i finally got the infamous check coolant level warning, 10 miles from my office. Based on it being highway got here no problem but will have it towed to them this afternoon rather than risk driving it again (safer, correct?)... Given the recent history I'm real frustrated this is coming up again, what should I keep an eye out for?

1) Is it really possible the water pump could have gone just months after being installed? I do have a 90 day warranty on the original job so should I push to have it re-done?

2) The coolant leak I originaly thought I was seeing was really the A/C condensation, we spent some time watching it and agreed that was the case. With that said, there is a leak somewhere since the coolant shouldn't be going from full to check status in 2 months. Clearly it isn't occuring in an obvious way, any tips?

Thanks! Pete

[PGC9]

Had it towed to my guy and he said they use vacuum system to put coolant (and A/C related) which eliminates the air bubble problem.

One concept that was brought up which I hope really isn't the case involves the engine consuming the coolant; hence no leak, but the coolant disappearing on me. Anything of this nature, involving head gaskets, etc. does not sit well with me. Any insight into this happening with any one or help would be appreciated. I don't want to just start shelling out $1000s as this has me very frustrated.

Thanks!