The check coolant message came on last night so I topped it up with a couple of litres this morning. Been for a 20 mile drive and it came on again, engine temp hovered at about 80 then came the steam and dumped the contents all over the floor. So I ask, thermostat or radiators?

 

Where is the coolant fron to rear? If it in the rear check expansion tank, they have a tendancy to crack and dry rot. Also check all your hoses.

 

Yup from the rear, white steam and coolant dumped from my back end - I wouldn't mind but I'm not at home and concerned about filling her up with water and driving home again. Check the hoses first I guess, thanks for the heads up

 

Do not drive the car..you could end up blowing the head gasget, I'll lay odds it's the expansion tank, check the cap first.

 

What's the average temp on the gauge when engine is warm. It sits at about 80 I'm wondering if this is correct?

I added about 5 litres of water and some starting flowing from the rear L/H quarter but impossible to see where it was coming from pipe or tank. £120 for a flatbed home, great

 

Ok, my temp guage is in Farenhieght so and sits right on the 180 line or just a tick above, since your's is in celsius it shoild sit right at 82 if my conversion is correct. Please keep in mind Porsche guages are notorius for being slightly inaccurate.
Well, since you put the water in and it started to come out right away this leads me to believe you hav either a crack in your expansion tank or the one of the hoses to it. Please, please, do not run straight water you need the coolant to keep the car at proper temps, keep corosion down in the system and most importantly lubricate the water pump. So when you add water make it a 50/50 mix with coolant/anti freeze. This is not unique to Porsche.

 

+1 to FLA996T

spot on with your prediction, it was a hose that perished. Thanks for the heads up. Bang on the money with the temp gauge to, now all is repaired she sits at a comfortable warm up of just over the 80C mark, also 50/50 coolant. The repair shop said its lucky the engine holds so much coolant even with a leak it stopped my head from being damaged. Asked him to check all other hoses but they seemed in good condition.

As REO Speedwagon once sang we're 'Back on the road again'

 

Congrats! Glad you're back on the road.

 

What a great ending. Drive on!