Coolant Leak

[dphillips303]

Hey All! Just got home from driving my 1999 996 and noticed coolant pouring out. It appears as if almost all of it is gone. The funny thing is, the temp gauge did not show the car was overheating nor showed any warning lights. It was dark by the time I got home and I can't see much to try to identify where it is leaking from.

I have heard of the tanks cracking. Could this be it? FYI- it is about 15 degrees out today so not sure if that could contribute to the problem. Any help, suggestions, ideas would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Loren]

Check the tank, hose, and water pump - all can fail on a 12 year old car.

[judgejon]

and update the pressure cap on the tank, coolant can escape through the cap as well. I think the latest version is .04. how much coolant did you lose? I'm guessing just the coolant in the tank.

[dphillips303]

Ok thanks. I will have to take a better look tomorrow once the sun comes up. I know it looked like a lot of coolant and I am not sure exactly how much leaked while driving. The tank is empty. I have done some research and saw some pictures of a blown water pump and it appears the leak on those pictures is approximately where mine was leaking (not sure if it was traveling from another location though).

I do remember a slight noise while driving that was almost like a belt or pulley, but not quite. It also didn't sound like a bearing in the pump so not sure. Are there any tell tale signs/noises if it is the pump?

[Bus Boy]

Ok thanks. I will have to take a better look tomorrow once the sun comes up. I know it looked like a lot of coolant and I am not sure exactly how much leaked while driving. The tank is empty. I have done some research and saw some pictures of a blown water pump and it appears the leak on those pictures is approximately where mine was leaking (not sure if it was traveling from another location though).

I do remember a slight noise while driving that was almost like a belt or pulley, but not quite. It also didn't sound like a bearing in the pump so not sure. Are there any tell tale signs/noises if it is the pump?

Also, be sure to check the radiators at the front. A common problem is leaves and debris entering the car at the front and if you don't clean them out they can rot and corrode the front of the radiators and eventually the core. This will cause the car to dump the coolant. It's an age old problem on the 996's and it happened to me. I am in the process of getting mesh grill installed to prevent this from occurring again.

HTH.

[kbrandsma]

Ok thanks. I will have to take a better look tomorrow once the sun comes up. I know it looked like a lot of coolant and I am not sure exactly how much leaked while driving. The tank is empty. I have done some research and saw some pictures of a blown water pump and it appears the leak on those pictures is approximately where mine was leaking (not sure if it was traveling from another location though).

I do remember a slight noise while driving that was almost like a belt or pulley, but not quite. It also didn't sound like a bearing in the pump so not sure. Are there any tell tale signs/noises if it is the pump?

Also, be sure to check the radiators at the front. A common problem is leaves and debris entering the car at the front and if you don't clean them out they can rot and corrode the front of the radiators and eventually the core. This will cause the car to dump the coolant. It's an age old problem on the 996's and it happened to me. I am in the process of getting mesh grill installed to prevent this from occurring again.

HTH.

I would be interested in what you found. Something similar happened to me and I replaced the cap and bleeder valve in MY98 986. Keep us posted.