986JDD

Mine did this same thing last spring... it ended up being a crack in the seam on the bottom of the overflow bottle in the trunk. It resulted in a tow to the dealer for replacement.

Thanks to the folks that responded to the post about my coolant leak. I now have a couple more questions for anyone that has had a cap failure versus a coolant tank failure. 1. If the cap failed, wouldn't the area around the cap be wet? I have the blue cap, and I don't see a part number on it. 2. If the coolant tank is the culprit (this is what I think anyway...) is there a way to tell without starting the car and physically looking for a leak? I don't want any head-gasket failures just to make a diagnosis. I want to have the option of ordering Porsche OEM parts online to save some cash over what the dealer will charge... it looks like at least 20-30% savings. 3. What color is the Porsche approved coolant? The coolant that has appeared around the tank is orange-ish (similar to the stuff Mercedes uses) but the fluid on the garage floor has a slight greenish tinge. The 15K and 30K service intervals do not indicate that you need to change this fluid. Odd. Thanks. If the cap vents, there will be moisture on the trunk lid and possibly drops around the cap. This isn't necessarily a failure, the cap is meant to let off pressure. You can take a pressure tester on loan from most auto parts stores. This allows you to pressurize the system without running the car to try to find the leak. They've changed to coolant color a couple of times, I think it's been pink and yellow. Had it towed to the dealer. It was the tank, it had a crack in a seam. The car has never had anything but Porsche service, and it was fully documented, yet the dealer claims the coolant is not correct for the car. I had the system flushed just to be sure. Additionally, I was in a shadowy garage... there was a part number on the cap, it was the correct cap from the build of the car. Of course, the dealer also wanted to add on a bunch of crap to the service since they had the car captive... it had an oil change service in September and has been driven less than 400 miles, yet they told me the oil should be changed. *rolls eyes*

Thanks to the folks that responded to the post about my coolant leak. I now have a couple more questions for anyone that has had a cap failure versus a coolant tank failure. 1. If the cap failed, wouldn't the area around the cap be wet? I have the blue cap, and I don't see a part number on it. 2. If the coolant tank is the culprit (this is what I think anyway...) is there a way to tell without starting the car and physically looking for a leak? I don't want any head-gasket failures just to make a diagnosis. I want to have the option of ordering Porsche OEM parts online to save some cash over what the dealer will charge... it looks like at least 20-30% savings. 3. What color is the Porsche approved coolant? The coolant that has appeared around the tank is orange-ish (similar to the stuff Mercedes uses) but the fluid on the garage floor has a slight greenish tinge. The 15K and 30K service intervals do not indicate that you need to change this fluid. Odd. Thanks.

Thanks guys. The cap area is clear and dry... and has the blue cap. Not sure if this is the "updated" cap that I have read about on here. I pulled the felt liner and voila... there is coolant in the area under the tank in the trunk. It seems like a part such as this (that is not exposed to the elements no less) should last more than 35K miles. See attached.

Today I took my 34K mile 986 2.7L 5-sp out of it's storage garage intending to stretch it's legs for a few days. I drove it about 7 gentle miles, parked in my garage at home, and left it there for about 3 hours. When I went back down to take it out again, I noticed a puddle on the floor, probably 1/4 gallon at the most. It had been raining for 3 days and my new Subaru was in the space before so I assumed it was rain water. When I started the Boxster and moved it out of the garage the low coolant light flashed. I checked the puddle and it was coolant. Now there is a good stream of coolant leaking. I immediately pulled it back into the garage and shut it down. The car did NOT overheat during it's outing earlier, nor did it during this brief start up. The underside of the engine compartment is clean, so this leak was not happening during the 7 mile drive. The leak appears to be only from the passenger side, and only dripping from right in front of the rear-wheel. If you look at the attached photos, where the black bucket is located is where the tiny stream of fluid was leaking from. In the fall I had the car's 30K service done, and there were no issues other than the AOS being replaced. This spring it has only had about 100 miles on it, and got a new set of tires. Anyone experienced this, or seen it before? Without being able to just pop the hood and check it out makes this a guessing game. Obviously it needs to be towed to a repair shop, but... anyone have any advice?

mine does this as well... starts at 2000 goes away at 2400. Only happens at very light continuous throttle, goes away as soon as you let off the gas or punch it. Dealer says it is normal. I never worried about it again until now.

Mike, I have to be honest... though I am a gear-head to the core, I am not mechanically inclined... I don't want to risk doing it wrong and ruining the car.

I agree that $665 isn't crazy but I'm sure you could finad a reputable indy in Chicago. They will warranty the work and probably save you a couple of hundred bucks in the process (mmm, Tire money). As soon as the guy claimed that the AOS failure was " VERY uncommon" you should proceed carefully. If that statement was made by a Porsche technician or service writer you know immediately that he's blowing more smoke than your exhaust is going to in the next month or so. I say track down a good independent and have him offer his opinion on the OAS. No, there is no smoke at all, ever. He was very specific when he said the leak was external and not internal. He still felt that a tiny oil leak would not really amount to much but that it would eventually be problematic. Honestly, maybe he meant that EXTERNAL leaks were very uncommon. Though $665 is not an astronomical charge, I thought I could get it done less expensively. I planned on using Rennology in the Chicago suburbs.

""+1 on the Sumitomo HTR III's. Great price, handle well, quiet, and, so far, excellent wear"" What mileage are you at on the tires?

So, my car (00 986 Boxster 2.7L manual) is currently at the Porsche dealer for the 30K service. They suggested a few additional maintenance items (brake fluid flush, fuel filter replacement) which I am glad they are changing. However, they noted an EXTERNAL leak from the AOS (dealer claims that AOS failure is VERY uncommon... clearly they are smoking crack) but currently the AOS leak is not creating any codes, there are no drips/oil on the garage floors, etc. I told them not to change it ($665 at dealer) and that I will have an independent shop do that work (Rennology) after gathering opinions. Does anyone have any opinions on this? :renntech:

Rennology has been highly recommended to me. I have no personal experience with them, however.

mikefocke: I actually have already used your list and ended up getting an Autozone Duralast Ultra 48-DL . The installation was easy, though it would be easiest with a second person to help guide the battery back in. It was indeed the battery. I was able to use my battery booster to keep the electrics online during the exchange. After a couple of days of worrying about it, it was over in 15 min! Thanks for the advice everyone.

Thanks for the insights. The GPS unit was removed and the lighter was placed back in the dash. Again, that should not draw that much so I doubt it was that. I am going to replace the battery first (it is the original, so no surprises there) tomorrow and see how it does.

Yes, I am on the north side at Irving Park Rd and LSD. Thanks for the tip!