coolant tank leak

[1999/986]

gang,

could someone point me to some of the other posts regarding coolant tank leaks? i haven't been able to find them via the search.

by the way toolpants, since i miserably failed with the tail light issue, you'll be glad to know i'm just going to take it in for this one. if it's just a leaky tank the bill shouldn't be too bad.....i hope.

lee

[Tool Pants]

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=1838

[LVDell]

Dealer charge for the tank replacement can push $800. Labor charge on that sucker is 4 hours and the parts are $300-400 depending on if you need the cap as well.

FYI...what I just quoted you is for a 996. While I am sure it is close to 986, you will want to talk to your dealer first to get the totals.

Edited March 10, 2005 by LVDell

[1999/986]

well, i think i've determined it's the only the cap. i'm not getting any puddling under the car but i'm getting some condesations around the oil and coolant caps as well as on the inside deck lid in that same area. i also notice a "steamy" smell in the trunk after the car is warmed up good. i'm going to try the cap first then go from there.

[PTEC]

If all you're getting is a little condensation on your rear lid, its almost definately not the tank, when those start to leak the carpet in the rear trunk gets pretty wet. If your cap is bad though coolant will sometimes leak out around it and drain onto the ground around the passenger rear via the drain hose.

[xclusivecar]

I had the same problem 1 month ago with the condensation in the trunk. I replaced the cap to the "new" cap ending in part number .01. Not a problem since...all water has stayed in the tank and it was a $20 fix! Can't go wrong...give it a try...change your cap regardless if it ends in .00!

Bets of luck...

Paul

[1999/986]

well, i got my cap ordered. since i'm waiting on the cap i've been watching the level and looking for the dripping under the car and so on. i've noticed dripping under the car, mostly just a few drips resulting in a 2-3 inch diameter wet spot on the ground. however, a couple of times the dripping has become significant, ususally resulting in a running puddle of coolant. i see no correlation between the temperature of the car (thus tank pressure) and the size of the puddle. today i noticed a pretty good amount of steam coming from under the trunk carpet (it was coming out in the corner where the taillights are). this was a first. still, the carpet was competely dry. you mentioned a leaking tank would probably result in wet carpet. all the coolant that i can see is draining out the by the right rear wheel. do you still think this is a cap issue? could it be the tank? thanks for your help.

lee

[PTEC]

If you dont see coolant around the area of the cap then its almost definately a tank issue if you have steam in the rear trunk. I think the steam coming from under the rear carpet is the deal cincher.

You can remove the carpet back there and have a look for yourself witout too much trouble. Basically all you need is a phillips screw driver and something to pull the plastic plugs out that hold the carpet in.

Edited March 19, 2005 by PTEC

[xclusivecar]

Pull back the carpeting and take a look. It now sounds like a tank leak. Not the cap. The coolant leaking from the tank will pool in the rear right corner of the trunk. The carpeting is pretty dense and I am not sure if coolant from under the carpeting can "leak" up through the carpeting creating a wet area.