Menu toggle

981 GT4 Coolant leak

J

james.winkless

PCGB Member
Member
Hi all,
I recently got my 981 GT4 out of storage to take for it's MOT and put back in the road. Porsche Silverstone noticed a coolant leak and checked the cap where they noticed dry residue. The cap was absolutely solid and I couldn't get it off, when I did I noticed the level was over max. Porsche Silverstone also couldn't notice any leaks on the lines so expected that it's been over full.

Has anyone had experience with issues getting the coolant cap off and also the coolant leak?

James
 
My 981s cap was stuck too. I think it was quite common…there may be an old thread (post) on it somewhere. Mine was just replaced foc by the OPC. I have a feeling it was possible to over tighten them. Not had any leaks though…If the cap was cross threaded perhaps it was nt sealing.

 
Where did the “leak” come from? One thing my car does when I use the washer wipers is leak washer fluid. This comes out of the under tray and the first two times it happened i though it was a leak and it wasnt.

 
Hi James,

Over-filling will cause excess coolant to be blown-off … hence evidence of the leak and residue around the filler cap?

As Alistair has noted, over-tightening or cross-threading the cap could have been the problem if it was difficult to remove, and there’s an O-ring seal in the cap which could have been snagging. I’d be inclined to buy a new cap just as a precaution.

Jeff

 
I had a similar `stuck cap` on a 981 Cayman S ... the underside was damaged and was replaced under the extended warranty. The car was in regular use, no extended storage

I discovered the issue during one of my occasional level checks, I removed the cap using a `mole grip`, the level was OK with only a very slight trace of residue and no leakage, I did not notice the damage and replaced it by hand, albeit with some difficulty. It did not appear to be `cross threaded`

The first tech. inspection also `missed` the damage, a `second opinion` colleague spotted it. With a new cap out of stock I used the car OK with no issues until replaced

In normal operation it is difficult to overtighten the cap, as you reach the end of the thread there is a minor `pressure resistance` point, which when overcome seats it home. At this point the symbol / hand grip is always at the `quarter to three` point

This is the second, recent reported leakage issue where both cars were in - escaping from [;)] storage albeit with differing circumstances

 
Thanks all. It's definitely a coolant leak as I can tell it's the same colour/smell/feel as the coolant itself.

Seems like I'll take the car back to an OPC soon in order to replace the cap and maybe that will solve the issue. They didn't see a leak when it was on a ramp last week so unsure where it's coming from.

[link]https://flic.kr/p/2osrJQE[/url]

 
Amazing! Thank you. Going to get the gt4 into an OPC for both caps to be replaced and coolant levels sorted. Seems like that could be the main cause of the issue

James

 
Hi all,

So the OPC is sending me 1 new cap to replace the current one which we suspect may be damaged. Actually I managed to get the cap off today when the Gt4 was cold. The OPC is also sending coolant as it looks as if this is actually on the minimum as its not "floating"

Few questions:

1. Should I change both the cap in the boot and the one under the engine cover ? which an OPC will need to do...

2. to measure the coolant level, do you do this at cold?

3. what do we think has caused the "overflow" - by the looks of it, it is definitely overflowing vs leaking. Attached some pics.

4. will I get air in the system by taking the main cap off and on regularly?

EDIT: for those that are following/ come across the same issue, im going to try this advice out:

"Coolant leakage from one or both caps is well known on these cars Adrian, so given your car’s age it would be sensible to replace them. I suspect that the sealing O-rings lose their “springiness” with age, allowing coolant to escape when under pressure. Given that the leakage appears to have come from the main one in the boot I’d begin with that one, top-up to the recommended level and then monitor the situation on a regular basis until you’re satisfied that the situation has stabilised. Jeff"

James

 
1. ... no, see attached picture

2. ... advisedly yes, see the Minor Repairs section of your Owners Manual

3. ... as with the other thread I attached, I predominantly `blame` lack of use - prolonged storage

Whenever I check the level the float is always at minimum, there are never any warning indications at this point. It only takes a very small volume of fluid to get the level up / the float to `float`

Given that yours appears to have burped - overflowed you may require more fluid than I usually add

download.axd


 
NB ... my reply above is pre. your edit of post 9

EDIT ... the control system - equipment is quite complex hence my reasoning that a lack of use i.e. sticking components are possibly the cause of a `burp - slight overpressure` when the system is recommissioned

On re-reading the coolant control operation - description notes it appears that the only place an overflow would take place is from the bleed vale 11. Any passage from the cap 2 is returned to the expansion tank via the hose 8 / any passage from the cap 4 is most likely internal to the expansion tank, if it actually does have such a facility

Where the bleed valve 11 `bleeds to` ... I would presume an open hose

 
Thanks Andrew, really appreciate all of this as I will need to tell OPC where the fault may be on the car as seemingly our community folk know more than they do!

So replacing the cap in the boot will not seemingly fix the issue, it needs to be the bleed valve .. I wonder if some continued spirited driving will kick it back into touch :)

James

 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Posts made and opinions expressed are those of the individual forum members

Use of the Forum is subject to the Terms and Conditions

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed on this site are not necessarily those of the Club, who shall have no liability in respect of them or the accuracy of the content. The Club assumes no responsibility for any effects arising from errors or omissions.

Porsche Club Great Britain gives no warranties, guarantees or assurances and makes no representations or recommendations regarding any goods or services advertised on this site. It is the responsibility of visitors to satisfy themselves that goods and/or services supplied by any advertiser are bona fide and in no instance can the Porsche Club Great Britain be held responsible.

When responding to advertisements please ensure that you satisfy yourself of any applicable call charges on numbers not prefixed by usual "landline" STD Codes. Information can be obtained from the operator or the white pages. Before giving out ANY information regarding cars, or any other items for sale, please satisfy yourself that any potential purchaser is bona fide.

Directors of the Board of Porsche Club GB, Club Office Staff, Register Secretaries and Regional Organisers are often requested by Club members to provide information on matters connected with their cars and other matters referred to in the Club Rules. Such information, advice and assistance provided by such persons is given in good faith and is based on the personal experience and knowledge of the individual concerned.

Neither Porsche Club GB, nor any of the aforementioned, shall be under any liability in respect of any such information, advice or assistance given to members. Members are advised to consult qualified specialists for information, advice and assistance on matters connected with their cars at all times.

Porsche
Lockton
Pirelli
Officially approved
Oracle Finance
WEX Esso
Collecting Cars
Archant Dialogue
Back
Top