Discussion
I'm in the office, so I can't RTFM ;) I think I need to top up my coolant (Temp is fine, around 85 degrees, but the coolant light is flashing)and on my Boxster it was always low coolant in the header tank.
Can I use any pre-mixed coolant from my local optislurp garage, or do I need anything special?
If I need anything special, numbers would be nice.
Thanks,
Rob
Can I use any pre-mixed coolant from my local optislurp garage, or do I need anything special?
If I need anything special, numbers would be nice.
Thanks,
Rob
Shouldn't think so. You could probably even use boiled water from the kettle if there's enough anti-freeze in the system.
However, some manufacturers make a thing of using their anti-freeze, saying that some kinds rot rubber gaskets etc. so if in doubt buy some Porsche stuff from your main dealer.
I have always just chucked Halfords anti-freeze into my cars, myself. There are plenty of other things to have sleepless nights over.
However, some manufacturers make a thing of using their anti-freeze, saying that some kinds rot rubber gaskets etc. so if in doubt buy some Porsche stuff from your main dealer.
I have always just chucked Halfords anti-freeze into my cars, myself. There are plenty of other things to have sleepless nights over.
Same happened on mine not long after purchase. After a bit of research it appears you should only use the Porsche coolant although if you can't access it then top up with distilled water.
I happened to have some left from servicing my bike so put in about 1/2 pint which brought the level to normal and it's stayed there ever sinece (2000 miles)
My light flashed after some spirited driving and I immediately saw ££££££ signs flash before my eyes but it was all cured for nothing.
Probably wise to buy some Porsche coolant to have hanging around for future needs. I understand you never have to change the coolant during the lifetime of the car.
I happened to have some left from servicing my bike so put in about 1/2 pint which brought the level to normal and it's stayed there ever sinece (2000 miles)
My light flashed after some spirited driving and I immediately saw ££££££ signs flash before my eyes but it was all cured for nothing.
Probably wise to buy some Porsche coolant to have hanging around for future needs. I understand you never have to change the coolant during the lifetime of the car.
BliarOut said:
Cheers guys, I just remember reading somewhere that you shouldn't mix the red and the blue stuff..... Not highly technical I know, but IIRC it's something to do with it being long life and regular.
Boiled (Or distilled) water seems the safest bet when it's only a minute amount.
Red vs blue is what forms the sludge.
DaGinge said:
there's nothing special about porsche coolant, but the thing which is important is the strength of the mixture - too much water and it won't cool properly, too little and the coolant can corrode the engine.
It should be the other way round. The coolant has a lower specific heat capacity than water.
There are plenty of engines that run on 100% coolant, but they will have rads sized to suit the lower heat transfer. The boiling point of coolant is higher than water, giving a better spread of operating conditions for a lower system pressure. A lower pressure is less likely to develop leaks.
I have been owndering about this.
I add a cupful every now and then, and use the OPC stuff.
Don't worry too much becuase the capacity of the system is 22.5 litres, so even adding a LITRE is 4% change which is negligible (the bottle of coolant suggests 50% to 60% mix).
I tend to add an eggcup full of coolant once a month, then next time and eggcup full of purified water.
I add a cupful every now and then, and use the OPC stuff.
Don't worry too much becuase the capacity of the system is 22.5 litres, so even adding a LITRE is 4% change which is negligible (the bottle of coolant suggests 50% to 60% mix).
I tend to add an eggcup full of coolant once a month, then next time and eggcup full of purified water.
22 litres is a huge amount of coolant. The difference in its volume between hot and cold will be considerable and probably in excess of 0.5 litre, depending on coolant/water ratio. It may not need any topping up as the volume when hot is probably filling the system to capacity and the excess added when cold is being expelled everytime.
Actually you may be right.
I had the system checked for leaks after the header tank was done under warranty and it was not leaking (three weeks ago) so I think I'll leave it for a while and see how it settles down. If the flashing "coolant light" doesn't come on I will leave well alone.
I suspect I may be adding it when it's not needed judging by your comments.
Thanks for the advice
I had the system checked for leaks after the header tank was done under warranty and it was not leaking (three weeks ago) so I think I'll leave it for a while and see how it settles down. If the flashing "coolant light" doesn't come on I will leave well alone.
I suspect I may be adding it when it's not needed judging by your comments.
Thanks for the advice
Chances are you are just low on coolant Rich, but.... And I'm typing this by hand, which requires extra 
Warning light
If the coolant temperature is too high the warning light lights up.
Switch engine off and let it cool.
Check radiator and air passages in front end of car for obstructions.
check coolant level.
Add coolant if necessary.
Please have the fault remedied by an OPC.
To prevent excessive temperatures, the cooling air passages must not be restricted by coverings (eg. films, "stone guards"
.
If the coolant level is low, the warnng light flashes.
Switch engine off and let it cool.
Add coolant.
Please have the fault remedied at an OPC.
If the engine-compartment blower has failed the warning light flashes.
Please have the fault remedied at an OPC.
Chances are if it's only marginally low you'll be fine adding a cupfull of boiled or distilled water.
Warning light
If the coolant temperature is too high the warning light lights up.
Switch engine off and let it cool.
Check radiator and air passages in front end of car for obstructions.
check coolant level.
Add coolant if necessary.
Please have the fault remedied by an OPC.
To prevent excessive temperatures, the cooling air passages must not be restricted by coverings (eg. films, "stone guards"
. If the coolant level is low, the warnng light flashes.
Switch engine off and let it cool.
Add coolant.
Please have the fault remedied at an OPC.
If the engine-compartment blower has failed the warning light flashes.
Please have the fault remedied at an OPC.
Chances are if it's only marginally low you'll be fine adding a cupfull of boiled or distilled water.
BliarOut said:
Chances are you are just low on coolant Rich, but.... And I'm typing this by hand, which requires extra
Warning light
If the coolant temperature is too high the warning light lights up.
Switch engine off and let it cool.
Check radiator and air passages in front end of car for obstructions.
check coolant level.
Add coolant if necessary.
Please have the fault remedied by an OPC.
To prevent excessive temperatures, the cooling air passages must not be restricted by coverings (eg. films, "stone guards"
If the coolant level is low, the warnng light flashes.
Switch engine off and let it cool.
Add coolant.
Please have the fault remedied at an OPC.
If the engine-compartment blower has failed the warning light flashes.
Please have the fault remedied at an OPC.
Chances are if it's only marginally low you'll be fine adding a cupfull of boiled or distilled water.
Cheers!!!
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff