engine coolant query - GT3

[stg]

Did a classic faux-pas and topped up the engine coolant (due to flashing coolant level warning light) without 'properly' re-seating the coolant cap.

I have a 996 GT3 Mk1

80 miles down the motorway stuck in a traffic jam, with steam pouring out of the back, switching the engine off deposited about 1 litre of coolant on the hard shoulder with the back pressure.

I've temporarily refilled with water to get moving, but few queries

1. Should I be worried about the hot coolant leakage over the engine? It gives off a lovely smell atm.

2. Whats the best way to refill and release air pockets - as I've done a quick and nasty fill job to get moving? Cool Engine idle or running at X revs with the rear elevated?

3. Whats best way to resolve antifreeze/water mix (without popping it into an OPC to do the check)?

4. Any specific antifreeze product recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

[GreenV8S]

Antifreeze is a corrosion inhibitor, and is non flamable, and doesn't do anything nasty to paint, so you're safe from that point of view. It will leave a coloured residue which can be washed off. You can get antifreeze testers which tell you what concentration antifreeze you have in the coolant. It isn't particularly critical, just make sure you add roughly 1 liter of antifreeze per two liters of water to maintain roughly a 30% mix.

[GreigM]

The coolant in water-cooled porsche is "special" and can only be replaced by an OPC (apprently).

I had the same as you - leaked a lot of coolant, topped up with water to get home, but had to get whole system flushed and re-filled at the OPC. Won't do any harm just burning off.

[willr]

I recently got a couple of bottles of Porsche antifreeze, and it certainly seems to be different from the stuff I've diluted down and used in other cars. It's much more viscous - almost a gel.

[GreigM]

willr said:

I recently got a couple of bottles of Porsche antifreeze, and it certainly seems to be different from the stuff I've diluted down and used in other cars. It's much more viscous - almost a gel.

That sounds about right - the whole system is meant to be "sealed for life" and you shouldn't even top-up, you're supposed to go to the OPC for that also. Given the expense of a GT3 engine (£28K) is it worth the risk not to have the OPC do it?

[stg]

A trip to an OPC on monday morning is called for I think...