987 Gen 2 Coolant Issue

[dave webb]

Hi all,
I've had our 987 Gen 2 (about 27k miles, 2010 model) for about a month now but had a initial concern about the coolant level dropping. Over a couple of weeks (few hundred miles) it went from Max to Min twice and so a small top up was needed each time. I've always let the car sit on level ground and let it cool completely before checking. I bought the car from a local dealer who provided a years warranty. The car went back to them last week which I collected it last Friday, I drove it home after a 20 miles run and put it in the garage. When I checked the coolant the following morning, it was clearly still pressurized and it spewed about half a cup of coolant from the cap (which disappeared through the drain hole, over the engine and onto the floor). The level was still over Max. I called the dealer and took the car back over which is where it is now having further checks. The dealer said they have been unable to find any leaks and that it's not been easy for them to set a proper coolant level. They also say they don't have equipment to do a proper pressure test. I'm concerned about head gasket failure but they say this is very unlikely. I've asked them to check the coolant for oil contaminants which they say they will do today (a simple test I believe).
My query is I'd like to understand is why was it so pressurized after approx. 16 hours - could it be that the coolant had been overfilled by the dealer when I picked it up? Are there any other checks the dealer should do to eliminate my concerns? All thoughts very much appreciated.
Dave

 

[Motorhead]

Dave,

I'm not very impressed with your dealer if they're unable to carry out a simple cooling system pressure test.

It does sound as though the system was over-filled by the dealer and it may be useful to ask them to bleed the system whie they have the car just to ensure that no air is present ( http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Boxster_Tech/29-WATER-Flush/29-WATER-Flush.htm ).

Jeff

 

[dave webb]

Hi
Thanks for that thought, I'll check to see if bleeding of the coolant system was undertaken - good thought! I've been away this week but managed to call the dealer yesterday. They told me that they've managed to conduct the test that checks for engine contaminants in the coolant (chemical sniff test) which was fine. They're guaranteeing that there is no problem with head gasket failure which is reassuring to know. They also took it along to the local Porsche dealership who checked the coolant system out they have also given it a clean bill of health (also undertook a couple of outstanding recall aspects free of charge). So, I'm just left with wondering why it was so pressurised and spewing coolant after such a long time. The workshop manager believes this is normal behaviour for a Boxster but I'm not convinced and have asked them to specifically ask this question of the Porsche dealership which in fairness he has agreed to do. Sounds like it was overfilled which if that's all it was, I can accept but my outstanding queries I'd like to get to the bottom of are;

Do any other Boxster owners;
1) get milky emulsified deposits to collect in the oil cap if the car is used normally and not just short journeys? Only saw this once when I picked the car up, not seen since I've cleaned it and driven the car about 300 miles.
2) get pressurised coolant spewing from the coolant cap after an evening + overnight cool-down?

Any thought appreciated. Dave

 

[DaveH911]

The cream in the oil filler cap is perfectly normal. A lot of Porsche engines have it, especially in cold damp periods. Absolutely nothing to worry about. The coolant system takes a while to get the air pockets out after being drained or after levels being topped up, especially if levels have dropped below minimum. It can take several days to get all of the air out and will need ' burping' two or three times.

 

[adrian55]

Could it be the coolant cap is faulty.? My 987.1 S dumped some coolant and expecting the worst had car recovered before any damage was done.After a lot of testing at an independent garage we decided to change cap and its been fine for 6 months .Cap was £18 from Porsche OPC.
Adrian

 

[Motorhead]

Adrian's suggestion is certainly worth a try.

Faulty coolant caps have been cited on a number of occasions for coolant loss but it could be that yours is causing the system to over-pressurise. I still think that you should try bleeding the system first and then investigate further if you're still experiencing problems.

Jeff

 

[dave webb]

Many thanks for responses, am feeling reassured that our car is probably behaving normally. The dealership brought the car once more up to temperature and then let it cool overnight and I'm told no over-pressure or coolant loss resulted when the cap was removed which is good news. I also have a copy of an email from the Porsche dealership saying no problems were evident with the coolant system. We suspect that the coolant level had simply been overfilled by the dealership I bought the car from when I returned it the first time. So now I have the car back and will monitor it over the next week or so to make sure all's ok.
One final hiccup in my tale of woe noted, when I got the car home I noticed a couple of scratches on the rear bumper that were definitely not there when I originally picked up the car - Grrrrrrr can't be 100% sure when they occurred so as much as I'm seething about this, I'll think I'll enquire about a scuff buster type repair and put it down to experience so that any good will remaining with the dealership is maintained for the warranty period - very very annoying as you can imagine. In future any time I need to leave the car with any company I'll insist on a walk around with them to check/record any damage before leaving. Not best pleased but what can you do....
Best regards,
Dave

 

[Motorhead]

Let's hope you're sorted Dave and can now feel confident about using the car while the weather is still good.

A pity about the scratches. From past experience, now I always insist upon a walk-around whenever I drop off either of my cars at a workshop to prevent potential hassle on collection.

Jeff