Gas leak

[trout02]

Boxster 987. 3.4S. Steady run from Newbury and then A361 from Avebury into Devizes. We were sat in queuing traffic for 5 -1 0 minutes when there was a cloud of what looked like steam from the front of my car. Initial thoughts were coolant leak/hole in radiator. Pulled off the road and the fan in the front offside came on. Left the car for about 40 minutes and checked coolant level in boot. Fine, at the correct level and a good strong hiss when I unscrewed the cap.
Drove back to Newbury, approx 35 miles. No change in engine temperature but the fan stayed on all the way home. Coolant level good. When I lifted the bonnet there was gas escaping from what must be a valve, towards the bulkhead, right hand side. See pictures.

Anybody know what this valve does? Is it part of the aircon? Is the problem with my aircon or the cooling system, or both? Any advice would be appreciated.
Phil

[WG]

I believe that valve is associated with the air con And it is what is used to bleed the system when it is re gassed.

[trout02]

Thanks for the reply. The escaping gas was cool and left an oily residue on my fingers so it appears to be aircon related. But why would the fan be going? Unless it cools the aircon compressor as well, which was having to work overtime because the gas had escaped.

[Polome]

Your leak is refrigerant gas entrained with oil ( the oil circulates with the refrigerant gas to lubricate the AC compressor) The fans in the front intakes serve dual purpose , cooling.the engine radiators and the AC condenser rads. The fan you can hear running is probably in service cooling the engine. Keep an eye on your dash mounted engine temp gauge...if maintaining around 90 deg. and as you said no water loss would indicate all well in that department. If you have a leak in the AC system ( and it looks like you have) a low gas pressure switch inhibits the fan starting in that service. You need to find the specific point of the leak to determine a fix. Good luck.

Edited by Polome on Sunday 25th March 06:03

[trout02]

Coolant temperature was rock solid at 80. Had a look around today but nothing obvious. I’m away all week so it will be early April before I can get it checked. Will update you with the outcome. Thanks again.

[trout02]

Aircon now fixed by Northway Porsche in Aldermaston. They fitted a new aircon pressure switch (I think it is a high pressure relief valve) and re-gassed the aircon. 30 minutes and £210 all-in with the dreaded VAT. At first we were puzzled why the cooling fans in the front wings were constantly running. Turns out they have a failsafe mode - if they lose a signal from a temperature sensor they will default to Run permanently.
Thanks again for your help.

[Jim1556]

Seems relatively cheap, all things considered. Could've been much worse!