So I have been spending a lot of time trying to track a coolant leak on a 997.1 Turbo. This is a tier 1 Ninja leak, even Porsche had a look and could not find her (I don't know if they pressure checked it as it was done off the books as a incognito favor)

Info.
1.Car has 50k
2.Driven almost every day
3.All services prior to warranty expiration were done at Porsche
4.Already pulled air box /Y pipe and checked glued fittings above water pump (not the source that I can see)
5.Visible leak only occurs after long drive and the vehicle sits for over two hours

Questions:

Has anyone had the fittings just aft of the yellow arrows fail? It seems driver side is deteriorating and allowing coolant to pass. Can someone provide P.E.T. diagram of this area or a part number for those rubber connectors?

I purchased a "universal" coolant pressure tester last week. It is not so universal, as none of the 14 caps fit. I was going to use coolant line off the reservoir rather than cap to pressure the system. I am also now regretting throwing away my old cap. Does anyone have a DIY solution that I can steal or know of a brand of coolant pressure tester that does fit Porsche?

Thanks for any info,
otoppero

 

Better pictures

 

A few more

 

In my business when we can not find the source of a leak, it is often times best to clean everything down and see what reappears first. Hopefully that may help you catch it in the act.

Good luck, it can be a real pain the @ss looking for leaks.

Mike

 

I would agree with SVO's recommendation to clean it up and watch for leaks. There almost seems like the residue is everywhere but who knows what is happening with the droplets as the wind blows them all over the place.

Is the loss "significant"? Meaning after one drive/park does your coolant level visibily drop?

 

Advise taken and was done twice prior. I had cleaned it and let it sit after a long highway drive. No visible coolant till around seven hours later. Small amount, say 1 tablespoon followed by a larger say 1/8 cup a few hours later.

I have let it build up this time to see if anyone had experienced the same symptoms in the same area. I was hoping the residue would help others pinpoint the leak location. It has been to Porsche, with no results. I have had it up on the lift in my shop and have checked the usual suspects with no results either. It never leaks when I'm looking at her .

I also agree with you guys the leaking that must be happening while driving is being moved around with the air under the vehicle. I just can't find the dam# leak.

Any advice on a part, hose, fitting or clamp in that area that I may have not checked would be greatly appreciated. Maybe a PET diagram or picture if possible?

Thanks for the replies guys/gals

 

Does it only leak after a drive?

 

Yes, usually. That is where the Ninja part comes in to play. I do Exotics at Redmond Town Center quite a bit. It is a hour drive on the Hwy to get down there. I have had the car their for 10-15 shows and not one leak. Today the same thing, a long drive and no leaks. I put some oil blankets down and not a single drop yet after 9 hours sitting there. Yet two days ago short drive and 1/8 cup on the ground after a few hours. No change in parking spot or angle etc. Seriously confused.

 

The 1/8th of a cup is definately antifreeze?

 

Pink in color, sweet tasting and 100% coolant.

 

The only thing I can think that would make that happen would be the short drive caused disparit metals to heat/expand and one is expanding and one isnt which is creating a gap. OTherwise you have official stumped THIS chump!

 

I think you are right on point.....it is finding that "point" that is the problem.

 

I had a coolant leak 3 months ago and it was the 1 of the 3 plastic hoses that are known to fail below the intake manifold in the middle of the engine.

The first sign of leaks were coolant streaks underneath at the bottom of the engine and even continuing onto the rear exhaust can.

Whilst I had this fixed I also checked all the bonded coolant connections and I could literally pull them out with my fingers so I would check those too once the engine is dropped out.

I would post pictures of the coolants runs along the bottom of my engine but I never managed to save them thanks to my lovely I phone dieing on me!

 

My car pulls a fast one and now wets the bed with what appears to be transmission fluid very very small amount. I'm not sure why she decided to change fluids last night other than to make me look like a liar. I did a simple test of putting down a large cardboard box flattened on the ground. I have done this before and it usually shows coolant drips from multiple areas but last night it appears to be Trans fluid that leaked out (found a little coolant 1/3 teaspoon too after further inspection). The plot thickens with my disdain and confusion.

 

A clear case of a Ghost In The Machine.


Recommend exorcism.


All the best.