urgent advice

[jonny996]

got to work, so no manuals ect. 1 mile from work red light in temp gauge started flashing, keep an eye on temp didn't move from the 80ish mark.

any ideas, i called my tech and he says that the collent level might be low due to expansion chamber not being big enough, i check level it was a bit low..

do you think it will be ok to start again without damage, any other ideas?

will check bag in hour

[Vesuvius 996]

Low coolant.

If you've been ragging it they sometimes flash on early cars.

Check the levels in the tank.

[willibetz]

When the engine has cooled, try releasing the coolant cap gently. This will release any pressure in the expansion tank, allowing the coolant level to rise and resetting the warning light. You can then enjoy your journey home...

WilliBetz

[sportsandclassic]

fill it up when cold let it idle and then get someone to rev car and hold at 4000 rpm to purge front rads....keep constant revs you keep topping up the header tank and when full put cap on quickly then stop revving if youve over filled it it will spit out what it doesent need.

Then get it checked at a garage for where the leak is as its using coolant...possible radiator faulty or end plate on back of engine block or header tank cracked....

Just get it checked to be safe.

[Andrew D]

willibetz said:

When the engine has cooled, try releasing the coolant cap gently.

But make sure the water's cooled, and use a cloth to shield your hand, else the steam in the system will take your skin off!

[willibetz]

sportsandclassic said:

fill it up when cold let it idle and then get someone to rev car and hold at 4000 rpm to purge front rads....keep constant revs you keep topping up the header tank and when full put cap on quickly then stop revving if youve over filled it it will spit out what it doesent need.

Then get it checked at a garage for where the leak is as its using coolant...possible radiator faulty or end plate on back of engine block or header tank cracked....

Just get it checked to be safe.

Is it fair to assume that pressure in the expansion tank would rule out a leak? In my limited experience, the pressure relief valve (contained in the cap) appears a weak link in a pretty weak system.

WilliBetz

[BliarsGoing]

willibetz said:

sportsandclassic said:

fill it up when cold let it idle and then get someone to rev car and hold at 4000 rpm to purge front rads....keep constant revs you keep topping up the header tank and when full put cap on quickly then stop revving if youve over filled it it will spit out what it doesent need.

Then get it checked at a garage for where the leak is as its using coolant...possible radiator faulty or end plate on back of engine block or header tank cracked....

Just get it checked to be safe.

Is it fair to assume that pressure in the expansion tank would rule out a leak? In my limited experience, the pressure relief valve (contained in the cap) appears a weak link in a pretty weak system.

WilliBetz

The header tank on the 996 is a known problem, they do fail with age. I believe there is a new design of cap that is usually installed when you replace the tank. If there's a slight water leak which runs over the near side exhaust it'll be the tank.

[chris_w]

willibetz said:

When the engine has cooled, try releasing the coolant cap gently. This will release any pressure in the expansion tank, allowing the coolant level to rise and resetting the warning light. You can then enjoy your journey home...

WilliBetz

Strange, this exact thing happened to me on Saturday. Temp never moved but did as Willi describes above and has been fine ever since. Water wasn't below the Min level when I stopped but rose significantly when the cap was unscrewed.

[BliarsGoing]

chris_w said:

willibetz said:

When the engine has cooled, try releasing the coolant cap gently. This will release any pressure in the expansion tank, allowing the coolant level to rise and resetting the warning light. You can then enjoy your journey home...

WilliBetz

Strange, this exact thing happened to me on Saturday. Temp never moved but did as Willi describes above and has been fine ever since. Water wasn't below the Min level when I stopped but rose significantly when the cap was unscrewed.

Might be worth investing in a new cap? I believe they modified the pressure relief valve.

The difference between enough water and too little is miniscule.

[stuttgartmetal]

Try topping it up as soon as possible.

[Wetwipe]

Vesuvius 996 said:

Low coolant.

If you've been ragging it they sometimes flash on early cars.

Check the levels in the tank.

There you go Gary

[DucatiGary]

Wetwipe said:

Vesuvius 996 said:

Low coolant.

If you've been ragging it they sometimes flash on early cars.

Check the levels in the tank.

There you go Gary

yes, I filled mine yesterday and no light flashing today

cheers

[blue996]

I had the same problem with my 996, i was a bit concerned when my red light flashed as i was 20 miles from home on a sunday afternoon, i rang the porsche assistance and they came out to look at it and found no fault........On the monday morning I took it too Porsche Chester who plugged it on there computer and found no fault, but they did find 3 empty packets of crisps blocking the air passage covering part of the radiator. They advised me to check the lower front bumper for fallen leaves, and other foreign object which could be drawn up from the road and held in the lower half of the large air vents.....They did give me this advise before they charged me £94.00, so was I paying for 3 empty packets of crisps or porsche technicians knowledge..........