I've had recurring problems with my coolant: light blinking when I take a hard turn (even when the coolant's full); leaking from around the coolant tank cap; and most recently - my coolant boiled completely over after one spirited little encounter with a turbo'ed import.

I had it completely flushed the next day after that incident, and I picked out as much of the debris collected in the front bumber as I could, but I'm still worried.

I suppose my questions are:
1. I know the 1999 was a bit querky in regards to the cooling system, but does my number of problems fall within the normal scope, or am I neglecting my baby?

2. would this help any of my symptoms? .... I've heard about these tanks before, but I don't know exactly what I'm looking at here.

3. Was the initial porshce cap for the coolant tank flawed, and is there simply a "new and improved" cap one can purchase?

Sorry for what may be repeat questions, but I've tried searching the forums and I haven't found enough info.

Thanks in advance!
John

 

if your cap ends in 00, get it replaced... hell get it replace every 2 years... $20. How hot are you running?

 

I would tell you that there are quite a few of the early 996 cars which need a replacement tank. If I were in your shoes I'd replace the tank and tank lid as a lot of folks have with early 996s...

-Eli


http://www.pcars.com/porsche_parts/shop.php/porsche/carrera-2/4/turbo-996-/cooling-system/equalizing-tank/p_135225.html


http://www.pcars.com/porsche_parts/s.../p_135338.html

 

Well that's a bit of a relief.

My temperature usually goes a bit past the center point in slow-moving traffic, but the temp needle tends to stay centered at normal driving speeds. My problem is that I'm paranoid at this point, to push the car the way I usually do for fear that my coolant will boil again.

With my old mustang, problems like this were usually traced back to the thermostat. Could that be the culprit, or are these parts usually trouble free?

Also, in regards to the coolant expansion tank..... what is it? Is it a replacement for my existing reserviore, or is it actually an expansion....That is to say, an additional reserviore used in conjunction with the existing one. If it is a replacement, how is this design been improved upon?....

Thanks again... I'm nothing but questions today!

 

Johnny, I had similar problems that you mention. After some time, I finally decided to replace the coolant tank and cap. The following link helped me to do the job myself - it was not hard. Read through the post to the end, get all the parts, and start on Friday night and continue into Saturday. That way, if you have any questions, either post here or at the link, or contact me directly and I'll try to help as best I can. But the link really does address all the issues - even some silly questions from me. Good luck.

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=8024

Also note the cheaper prices of the parts at the above link - some what better than the E-bay prices.

 

Million thanks everyone. I think I will give this DIY a shot in a week or so. I really appreciate the input..... and I may hold you to your word in regards to help my996.

 

Always happy to help a fellow enthusiast even if it means listening to certain explicatives when you try to wrench the tank out.

 

Coolant reserve tank, expansion tank both the same thing. The are a common failure on these vehicles what happens is the plastic gets old and cracks on the underside of the expansion tank, sometimes the cracks only show themselves at certain temperatures. The best way to ensure that the cooling system is up to par as far as leaks is to preform a pressure test and inspect for leaks. This can be done at a lot of shops. If you can see that the coolant tank is yellowed in color this is a good indication that the tank is old and it is going to crack soon if not allready, They have not really made a bullet proof one yet. The cap if it is blue it is an old one you need to get a black one which is the updated cap. Other common cooling issues, front bumper debris blocking radiators,cooling fan resisters going out and water pumps.

 

Probably just a "file" photo, but the picture in the ebay ad and in the post are expansion tanks out of boxsters.