Sudden coolant leak. Might it be the bleeder valve?

[John Hopkins]

I don't drive my car much in the winter months. Today was a warmer day (60º) so I took her for a drive, just about 25 miles round trip. There were no issues until I got to the top of my driveway. The last 10 feet or so left a trail of coolant. The coolant continued to pour out of the car for next few minutes. It was as if it was coming from the overflow in the trunk. I inspected for issues and couldn't find a culprit. There has been no coolant added since well before winter and I've driven it several times since then. I poured some hot water into the overflow area to flush out the coolant and then refilled the reservoir to appropriate levels and let the car run for a bit to see if it would repeat. No leaks after that. 

 

I'm not yet as familiar with this car as I am with some others. I'm wondering if there may be an issue with the coolant bleeder valve.

 

Anyone have an idea what may have caused this?

[txhokie4life]

Unlikely to be bleeder valve.

 

it could have been your coolant cap was cross threaded and not on properly.

 

Other sources are WP or hoses, but they would likely show up when running unless it cooled enough your thermostat didn't open.  

 

The other source is a cracked expansion tank.

However, short of catastrophic, these usually appear as subtle losses of coolant.

 

Mike

 

 

[Loren]

+1 on a cracked tank - pretty common in the older cars.

[John Hopkins]

Thanks guys. I'm liking the cross threaded cap. That would explain the clues. I thought, initially, that it was a cracked tank as I'd read that those were an issue in older cars... but I think it would leak again when I refilled it. Would the incline of the car have anything to do with it? As I mentioned, the leak trail didn't start till I drove up my short but steep driveway. Also of note, today is the first "warm" day I've driven my car since winter started. 

[wizard]

"There has been no coolant added since well before winter"

 

How frequently are you topping up the coolant?

 

Do you have the latest version of the cap to the reservoir tank? '04' last two digits. If not, I'd start by replacing that.

 

 

Edited February 9, 2017 by wizard

[John Hopkins]

When I'm driving it, I top it off regularly. It has a small coolant drop from the front that I've yet to repair. Waiting for some warmer days to pull off the front bumper.

 

I don't see any 04 anywhere on the numbers. I'm guessing I have the old one.

 

[Loren]

It should end in .04 -- you need a new cap (US MSRP $28.83).

.00 and .01 are known to leak.

[John Hopkins]

Thanks all. I'll reach out to my local shop in the morning for a new cap. Is there a better place to buy from?

[wizard]

For peace of mind, my advice would be to get the genuine part from Porsche.

 

 

[John Hopkins]

6 hours ago, wizard said:

For peace of mind, my advice would be to get the genuine part from Porsche.

 

 

I agree. That said, Loren posted above, the msrp. My local shop is charging about 20% more. Not that it is a big difference in this case, but out of principle I don't generally support businesses that sell above the MSRP. Where can I find the MSRP to confirm.

[wizard]

I agree. As I'm in Germany, I can't help. I seem to recall Sunset Porsche(?) being recommended. Perhaps someone else in the States can chime in?

[grc0456]

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/SuperCat/1051/POR_1051_WATRAD_pg1.htm

 

OEM part is $27.00

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[JFP in PA]

Sunset Porsche is a board sponsor, and offers some of the lowest parts prices you will find anywhere: Sunset Porsche

[fltcrk1]

I had issues similar to yours. I had bumper pulled and dirt had collected behind radiators.

Once cleaned all was fine. Debris not visible from front vent opening