Coolant

[AlexH997]

I have a 2005 Porsche 997

ive received a low coolant warning after my LTT was fitted 800 miles ago so I need to top up.

Does it matter what coolant I buy? I was going to buy some from Halfords as its the only place that's open.

[Rockster]

AlexH997 said:

I have a 2005 Porsche 997

ive received a low coolant warning after my LTT was fitted 800 miles ago so I need to top up.

Does it matter what coolant I buy? I was going to buy some from Halfords as its the only place that's open.

To avoid mixing incompatible antifreezes you should use the same stuff that was used to fill the system after the "LTT" (low temp t-stat?)

You could just add distilled water. While this could dilute the coolant some the coolant probably has sufficient protection against freezing, at least at this time of the year. You can get test strips to use to check the coolant's freezing protection level and when you have the proper antifreeze remove some coolant and add antifreeze until the freeze protection level necessary where you live is adequate.

As an aside, my advice (and what I do) is anytime one of my Porsches has its cooling system worked on (or really any servicing done) I give the car a road test getting the engine fully up to operating temperature and double checking the coolant level is ok. I do this when the dealer service department is open so if I find the level low I can quicklyu swing by and get the level topped up. (Well, not always when the dealer/service department is open. Sometimes I pick up my car after hours but I always give it a road test and of course I have my other car at the dealer to use in case I have to return the car because of an issue.)

[Trev450]

The chances are that the coolant level is only slightly low but enough to trigger the low coolant light. This being the case, distilled water will be fine to top up with.

[AlexH997]

I only saw your replies on my return.

My coolant is pink....so I bought xstream g40 ready mixed from Halfords

[ooid]

I would ask the garage or whoever did the coolant before, to make sure that it's exactly the same brand you are topping-up not only the samecolour.

Cooling system is not something you do want to mess with these cars (Based on painful experience!)

[996TT02]

AlexH997 said:

I only saw your replies on my return.

My coolant is pink....so I bought xstream g40 ready mixed from Halfords

G40 is correct. Personally use Glysantin G40 (by Bayer).

[harleywilma]

Mine took a few days to find its proper level after the same job,pig to blead and need a good run and overnight cool down ,Only top up when stone cold.

[Pip1968]

Do you not also have to make sure the coolant will not corrode the aluminium/alloy Porsche system or have I read tht wrong somewhere? I did not think all solutions were Porsche compatible.

Pip

[996TT02]

Pip1968 said:

Do you not also have to make sure the coolant will not corrode the aluminium/alloy Porsche system or have I read tht wrong somewhere? I did not think all solutions were Porsche compatible.

Pip

Yes, you do.

G40.

[Whitean3]

And if it helps- it's the same pink G40 coolant as used in Audis

[Rockster]

Pip1968 said:

Do you not also have to make sure the coolant will not corrode the aluminium/alloy Porsche system or have I read tht wrong somewhere? I did not think all solutions were Porsche compatible.

Pip

Not sure how much a concern it is that the aluminum block/heads and other items (radiators, heat exchanger, heater core) can corrode. I will point out that I have run Porsche anti-freeze in my Boxster and have had this replaced upon occasion and the hoses and radiators and all other hardware in contact with the coolant are original, except the water pump (replaced at 172K miles) and the coolant tank (replaced at approx. 200K miles). The car now has over 302K miles on it.

However, one thing the Porsche coolant is relied upon is to provide proper water pump seal lubrication.