996TT...........using water!!!!

[dozer996]

My 996tt has been using water (put 1 litre in after topping it up last month)but is running fine. It's a 03MY with only 16000 miles.I bought it about three months ago with 9000 miles (so its first three years of life saw only 9000 miles). Is there something else I should check or do all signs point towards head gasket?!! Your views/comments/Michael extracting type comments appreciated!!
PS: No warranty questions please!!

Edited by dozer996 on Friday 8th June 14:56

[Vesuvius 996]

Sounds like the plastic expansion tank in the engine bay has cracked.

[dozer996]

Funnily enough I had that on my 996 C4 but on that occasion the water came pouring out. This is loosing approk a liter a month and I haven't seen any water on the ground.

[Henry-F]

More likely to be outside sources such as header tank, radiators etc rather than the engine internally.

Henry

[dozer996]

There is pressure when the header tank is opened after the engine has been running. Would this not rule out the tank being cracked?

[nbetts]

You have probably sustained some damage to the front radiators. Or possibly they have corroded.

[Mattyh]

Had the same problem on my 996 tt, it was the nsf radiator that was leaking,check on top of the tray which covers the underside of the engine, thats where i noticed some water, not a lot on the floor due to it collecting in the tray. Hope this helps.

[dozer996]

Thank you Vesuvius, Henry - F and nbetts. Mattyh - this seems very likely but slightly confused as to where I should be looking. Isn't the nsf rad the a/c rad?

[Pope]

You will have three radiators, nsf, centre and osf.
The side rads are behind the ac condensors and in front of the fans, usually the centre rad goes first, then the lower corners of the side rads, leave the car idling when its next hot to allow the centre rad to work - over 85 degrees coolant temp, then inspect for steaming / coolant smell - like cats wee - Not nice!!

[kerry11]

Also check your header tank they are prone to cracking and coolant usually leaks down over nearside exhaust, look for coolant stains on exhaust tips and inside below tank.

[30121980]

LISTEN TO ME...ITS THE RAD`S JUST HAD MY 996TT X50 INTO NEWCASTLE WITH SAME PROBLEM...ALL RADS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY...AND THE AIR CON WAS`NT WORKING PROPERLY BEFORE IT WENT IN & EATING COOLING WATER

[Mattyh]

I,m not sure which rad does what,sorry if i,ve confused you! i had mine changed under warranty, i did'nt ask which rad it was that was actually leaking i assumed it was nsf due to the water being there, have you got the porsche warranty?if so get them to check it for you....Sorry!! only just read the end comment about warranties!!

Edited by Mattyh on Friday 8th June 20:05

Edited by Mattyh on Friday 8th June 20:06

[Ballcock]

Mine was leaking coolant at the rate of about half a pint a month ... Turned out to be a leaky water hose , pennies..

[pocty]

Its the rads I tell you. Mine did that until I had it changed under warranty.

Philo

[30121980]

TOLD YOU....HAD ALL MINE CHANGED OUT LAST TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY UNDER WARRANTY AT OPC NEWCASTLE...IS THERE ANY DAMP PATCHES ON FLOOR BELOW FRONT END

[dozer996]

Thanks for all your comments. I think we have found the problem. Under the engine there are two plugs that look like they are for draining the coolant system. They were loose and therefore leaking slightly. Hopefully this has solved the problem but I was nervous that I had a head gasket issue for a while!!

[damiangt3]

30121980 said:

TOLD YOU....HAD ALL MINE CHANGED OUT LAST TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY UNDER WARRANTY AT OPC NEWCASTLE...IS THERE ANY DAMP PATCHES ON FLOOR BELOW FRONT END

STOP SHOUTING, we heard you