Help Please - Coolant Issue on my 997 4s gen1

[sgrenton]

Hi,

I purchased a 997 4s 06 plate about 6 weeks ago.

Strasse Porsche checked it and highlighted some issues to attend to but in the main was a sound car.

They said the coolant pipes were showing wear and should be replaced, which I am waiting for my local specialist to do. However, I noticed that after I had stopped driving at the weekend, a small puddle of water (about 4' square) formed under the car. The thermostat in the car was reading normal through the whole journey as I always watch.

It is a holiday where I am today so cant get the specialist and I need to use the car.

Im looking for opinions on whether I could be looking at a problem driving it or if it should be ok?

Thanks

[harleywilma]

Probably not good to drive,if I understand correctly it is possible that if the system is leaking that this can cause some overheating even if the coolant hasn't dropped allot as when or if air is present the coolant doesn't work correctly at its proper temperature and these things are very sensitive in this area,Best ring an Indy to make sure and be on the safe side..

[sgrenton]

harleywilma said:

Probably not good to drive,if I understand correctly it is possible that if the system is leaking that this can cause some overheating even if the coolant hasn't dropped allot as when or if air is present the coolant doesn't work correctly at its proper temperature and these things are very sensitive in this area,Best ring an Indy to make sure and be on the safe side..

Thanks for that. Don't want to risk doing any damage to the car.

Is there an easy way to check the current level or top it up?

[Magic919]

You could open the engine cover and check it.

Is the puddle coolant and not just water?

[Trev450]

You don't state if the puddle is at the front or rear of the car. If front, it could be one of the coolant pipes referred to, a radiator or even the A/C. If rear, water pump or header tank are favourites.

[sgrenton]

Magic919 said:

You could open the engine cover and check it.

Is the puddle coolant and not just water?

When I say puddle, the ground is wet to touch and you can see it on the drive but no worse than that. I think it is just water as there didn't appear to be any colouring or smell but im no expert.

It sat under the middle of the car. It appeared that the covers join there so it must have found its way out.

[harleywilma]

Open Rear Boot lid using lever in driver side foot plate, Bottle is on the left hand side should be clearly marked and pinky red in colour, Obviously if it is low it will need topping to correct level, Dab your finger in the little puddle and taste it to make sure its antifreeze, If you cant get the correct stuff use ionised water until you get it checked and don't drive car to far ..

[sgrenton]

harleywilma said:

Open Rear Boot lid using lever in driver side foot plate, Bottle is on the left hand side should be clearly marked and pinky red in colour, Obviously if it is low it will need topping to correct level, Dab your finger in the little puddle and taste it to make sure its antifreeze, If you cant get the correct stuff use ionised water until you get it checked and don't drive car to far ..

Thanks for that, the level is exactly where it should be at maximum. Does that mean it is something else? Someone had mentioned the air con?
The fluid dried up within 90 mins of getting out the car but was definitely water now that I see what looks like pink cough syrup in the coolant.

The help here has been great, cheers guys.

[harleywilma]

Probably condensation off the AC by the sounds of it.

[Pope]

+1 AC condensation = normal

Check coolant level without taking cap off if it's OK (between min/max) get back in and enjoy it!!

[sgrenton]

Pope said:

+1 AC condensation = normal

Check coolant level without taking cap off if it's OK (between min/max) get back in and enjoy it!!

Thanks Pope. Looks like that's what it was.
All been very helpful and thank you.
It's been driving great, just want the wee snags out the way so I don't have to worry like this all the time.

[harleywilma]

Best not read too much of these forums then as all the nay sayers and doom merchants are on fire at the moment,Apparently
we all made the motherload of all mistakes buying our gen 1's no matter how low the mileage and we are all driving hand grenades unless we all go out and buy High mileage gen 2s for zillions more.
I've only been on here a few months and I'm now unloading brown bricks and thinking of my impending escape route out of this marque.

Edited by harleywilma on Monday 28th September 17:09

[FarQue]

My 997 can generate quite a pool of condensation. Drove her to Italy the other day and ambient temp was 35c. The car is black and the air-con (recently re-gassed)was working double over-time.

Once the car had sat for a while in an underground car park I kinda panicked when I saw how much condensation had dripped off it!

If in doudt, take a sniff...

[sgrenton]

FarQue said:

My 997 can generate quite a pool of condensation. Drove her to Italy the other day and ambient temp was 35c. The car is black and the air-con (recently re-gassed)was working double over-time.

Once the car had sat for a while in an underground car park I kinda panicked when I saw how much condensation had dripped off it!

If in doudt, take a sniff...

Thank you. Definitely makes sense now.
The car was re-gassed before I got it and it was warm at the weekend with A/c on low all the time.

[MaxA]

Smell it. Taste it. You'll know if it isn't condensation water pretty quickly.