So I changed my oil today thanks entirely to help from this forum. While I was waiting for the oil to drain, I was poking around a bit with my flashlight and toward the rear, left side of the car I noticed some questionable wetness.

If you lie down behind your car and look under it toward the left side, there a part stamped "RAY." From that part, is a hose which goes to the right. To the right of that hose is where I see some condensation / moisture. It kinda looks like coolant.

The car has been mostly parked for the past 8 days, I started it yesterday for just a minute to position it better for the oil change. I did not start it today until after these pics were taken.


For perspective. The piece on the left side of the pic is stamped "RAY" and can be seen at the left rear of the car. In the background, center and right, is the oil pan. Following the hose to the right is where I found some "wetness."


The left side of the pic has the hose which is coming from the piece stamped "RAY" which you'll find toward the rear and left side of the car. In the background is the oil pan. The closest bolt in the center of the pic had a little crusty deposit on the bottom side of it which came off when I touched it. You'll see some condensation at 11 o'clock from the bolt. I don't know what it is.

Any ideas?

 

Although I've never been under a 997.1, I have been under my 997.2. My calculated SWAG is that it looks like coolant - the color of the fluid tells me so. The hose running off to the left appears to be a coolant hose. Looks to me like the fitting may be a tad loose, or the gasket may need attention.

 

Thanks for the input NC. That's what I was thinking too. I guess I'll take it by the dealer to get it looked at.

 

i concur that the color of the fluid would lead me to suspect that it is a coolant leak of some sort

 

That area is the water pump itself. Probably a water pump leak, if not from a hose somewhere above it (and I doubt that). It definitely looks like it is coming from behind the pulley of the WP. If it's not coming down from above somewhere, it's the pump's weep hole telling you it's time to R&R the pump before something bad happens. And from what I'm seeing in the photo that's exactly what's going on.

One thing that happens when coolant ages, is that it both loses its lubricity and its ability to keep seals properly conditioned.

Now, don't get me wrong, the WP is not gonna last forever. So anyway, I'm assuming by your signature that its a 2005.

Advice: First have your coolant system flushed, then replace the WP, replace the Thermostat, and refill. Seriously consider replacing the hoses too, at being 6 yrs old. Make sure you use OEM parts- don't bother with aftermkt thermostats (or pumps) unless there is a real quality aftermkt mfg for them. I've had nothing but problems with running anything other than OEM thermostats in non-Pcars...I find that aftermkt parts just don't last as long (there are exceptions); and when a thermostat freezes, 99% of the time they stick shut, and then you have far more costly things to think about.

In doing a bit of research for ya, if you are doing the work yourself, you might, MIGHT consider a Laso replacement WP for your 911. They are an "excellent" rated OEM aftermarket alternative by a certain Porsche part jobber online. If the dealer is doing the work however, then disregard that last comment.

 

Thanks so much 1Blink. I'm still under CPO warranty, so I'll have to swing by the dealership to get it looked at. Hopefully this will be covered by the warranty.

So why do you recommend replacing the thermostat too? Is that typically replaced whenever a WP is replaced?

 

Take the pictures with you.

 

Good idea NC, will do.

 

sort of a side question here but...can someone school me please? i thought coolant (not usually i know, but in mine it seems) is red. is it a MY diff? i have an '06S

 

You're welcome. You usually R&R the thermostat when you do a coolant change/flush, or a WP job just out of preventative maint. They don't last forever, and when they stick, they will either stick fully shut or fully open. If they stick shut, you will overheat the engine and risk blown radiators, headgasket, etc as well as possibly a total catastrophic failure. Your P-car may not have the mileage, but it's 6 yrs old, and swapping out the thermostat is cheap, prudent insurance.

 

ALWAYS replace the T-stat. Cheap insurance. And yes, your water pump will almost definitely be covered.

 

90% it is a leaking water pump BUT that residue had to be reddish, actually quite reddish of color to be coolant and yours is not. if car is on warranty - definitely show it to dealer, take pictures.
I just sent a picture like this to service manager and he emailed me back - come in to get a new water pump, as easy as that.

check level of steering fluid - pentosin - in that extension tank as it looks suspiciosly like it. when car is cold that pentosin tank should look almost empty.

 

One more thing.... This is very important!!!! Don't change fluids cold! You should bring your engine up to operating temp before changing your oil. I let mine cool off for a while first so you have less chance to burn yourself, but stone cold as you described is not the proper technique.

Good to see you get your hands dirty. Keep it up.

 

Thanks for all the input guys. I went by the dealer last week to have it checked out. The service consultant told me that it was normal in the car, stating that it was the result of a seep (or weep?) hole in the water pump, and that it was nothing to be concerned about. He pulled out a TSB on it to show me. So I guess I'll just keep peeking down there to make sure it doesn't get worse.

Uberpainter, thank you for the advice. I'll definitely keep that in mind next time.

Utkinpol, the Pentosin container has fluid upto the level of the marker.

Thanks again for all the input for this and for the help I got with my first oil change. This is why I love this forum.

 

I honestly can't say about the 997, but for all the Japanese cars I've had, coolant coming out the weep hole was a sign of water pump seal failure and impending doom.

So, like you said definitely keep your eye on it, regardless of whether there is a TPS report or not.