Disaster coolant warning then temp rocketed!

[Buggyjam]

Cayman 987.

Started up, within 20 seconds “check coolant level”. Immediately the needle rocketed towards red. I shut it off but it lit the red bar. I just couldn’t catch it.

Water dripping over exhaust boxes, coolant level not showing.

Garages don’t open until Monday. I’m stting it that the engine is toast. What could it be, a hose?

[sunbeam alpine]

I'm certainly no Porsche expert, but if it happened as you described, I wouldn't worry - running a car for the short time you described can't cause any harm.

[DRH986]

I'd also be very surprised if you've caused any damage. If I remember correctly the needle pegging and a flashing red light is also triggered by the low coolant level warning, not just engine actually overheating.

[Buggyjam]

Thanks guys. Making me feel a bit more relieved. Hoping it’s “just” a hose (like on a normal car, my old Peugeot blew a hose ). Only place that can do it round here is an opc. Hoping they can fit me in on Monday.

[Buggyjam]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Cheers cmoose, feel relieved. More unknown is what caused whatever thing that popped or burst to pop or burst-hoping it’s the plastic tank thing or something and limited to just age.

Edited by Buggyjam on Saturday 26th January 22:29

[edc]

Probably the water pump. If it's cold there wouldn't be much pressure to push out via a cracked tank or cap.

[Buggyjam]

edc said:

Probably the water pump. If it's cold there wouldn't be much pressure to push out via a cracked tank or cap.

Cheers edc. If so I’m really glad it failed on start. At least I hope I didn’t miss it failing on the previous drive. Don’t recall temp going high. Why would it suddenly go like that and lose coolant? There were no noises I recall. I’m always listening out.

Edited by Buggyjam on Sunday 27th January 11:29

[DIW35]

Bear in mind that top fuel dragsters run those monster engines with no cooling at all, and certainly for a lot longer than a few seconds, I don't think you have much to worry about.

[Mogsmex]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Yarp

[Buggyjam]

I thought that in my head initially re cars. but what fuelled my concerns as the needle marching into the red. Must admit had no idea the needle did that as a warning. Worked as I was pretty damn quick to kill the engine ha. I must read the manual more

[SV_WDC]

As others have said, v unlikely to have caused damage within this time frame.

There is a red light at the top of the temp gauge. If it's flashing then that's usually an indicator of low coolant.

Had this a couple years ago & turned out to be a failing thermostat. Might be worth checking for coolant underneath where the car is parked as could well be the water pump.

[Buggyjam]

Update. Porsche sent a video through, it’s the rubber pipes at the front are leaking badly due corrosion. So needs some pipes. She rides again hopefully!

[edc]

If that's the coolant cross over pipes then this is becoming a common maintenance item on the 987. It's quite an involved and fiddly job.

[Buggyjam]

Thanks folks. Yeah it’s come back as a shade under a grand estimate. That’s for all the pipes (subframe needs out)/ coolant plus also needed new clutch switch.

I’m actually relieved. I had thought worse (falsely). This might be “over sharing” but long term rele ended recently so been a bit all over. When this happened kind of figured standard fortune for these occasions lol.

[Buggyjam]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

2018 was a right off. Bad times. Ugggh. Lol.

[DRH986]

I replaced the four flexible radiator hoses, two aluminium crossover pipes and two short flexible connectors for about £220 a couple of years ago on my 987 Cayman S. I needed a geo anyway as I'd also done some front end suspension work so not including that in the cost.

It wasn't the most pleasant job but quite do-able for a competent DIY-er. I'd far rather have to do this job again than have to deal with the corroded exhaust studs again!

It's definitely a question of when, not if, these will need doing on all 987 and 997 cars. The Henn couplings connecting the flexible radiator hoses to the aluminium crossover pipes suffer from dissimilar metals corrosion. They don't look bad when connected up but here's what they look like if you can get them apart (apologies for the poor quality picture):




I wrote a fairly detailed step by step procedure which I can email if you fancy having a go, just PM me.

[Crispystork]

Buggyjam said:

I’m actually relieved. I had thought worse (falsely). This might be “over sharing” but long term rele ended recently so been a bit all over. When this happened kind of figured standard fortune for these occasions lol.

More cash to spend on yourself now eh ..

happens to all of us

[Buggyjam]

Crispystork said:

More cash to spend on yourself now eh ..

happens to all of us

Thanks mate, putting a brave face on as thrown me for a right loop. But Time and all that. Ugggh ha.

Cars back! 960 pound. It is a little more expensive granted. I was quoted £600 by the only other indie ages ago for new rad pipes, but they’re miles away. Not many choices around me. To be honest I really like that opc I’m at they’re top lads and found a leak before other places couldn’t find. I’m moving house in 4 days and it’s snowing. DIY was never an option ha. The price included all the pipes (subframe removed to do it). 4 wheel laser align. The coolant plus a new clutch switch.

[jakesmith]

Had to change these on my 987S just before I sold it, it was 14 years old & GT One said they had never seen one so bad that hadn't failed.
4 hours labour and the parts were cheap-ish
One of the crap build / design issues that affect 9X7 cars but of course it's all worth it.

FWIW a coolant hose split on my Maserati which required the inlet manifold & various parts of the engine off to change a £20 part. There was another hose back there that 'looked fine' but I decided to change it out at the same time so I didn't have to stump up another £800 in labour (and that was at an indi). It lost its coolant but the recovery driver & garage said it was fine to run the engine with no coolant to get it onto / off the tow truck as it take a few mins driving before the stat even opens