Cooling System: Testing and Inspection

Checking cooling system
Tools





Tools and materials
Tools and materials

Tools:

Checking cooling system
Coolant: Checking the level and antifreeze content

ATTENTION: Danger of poisoning!
^ Coolant additives and cleaning liquids are toxic.
--> Swallowing coolant additives and cleaning liquids must be urgently avoided.
--> Do not consume any food or drink while working (danger of accidental mixing).
--> If swallowed, observe the warning information on the containers and contact a doctor. If necessary, show the doctor the warning information on the packaging.

DANGER: The vehicle fans can continue running or start up automatically.
^ Injuries which can lead to the loss of body parts.
--> The power supply to the fans must be disconnected before starting work on the radiator, radiator fans, or the belt drive.

ATTENTION: Risk of damaging the cooling system!
--> Do not relieve the system pressure of the cooling system and then run the engine.
--> Relieving the system pressure and subsequently starting the engine can cause severe damage to components in the cooling system. If the cooling system must be opened when it is hot, allow the cooling system to cool down before starting the engine again.

Note:
^ The coolant filled in at the factory is intended to suffice for the entire service life. As long as the coolant is not contaminated by foreign bodies or other fluids it need not be changed.
^ Different coolant additives must not be mixed and doing so may damage the cooling system. Only use original Porsche coolant additives.
^ The coolant must be set to antifreeze protection of -37°C. This corresponds to a mixing ratio of 50:50 (coolant additive:water). This mixing ratio provides optimum corrosion and antifreeze protection.
^ Coolant additives, coolants and cleaning agents must be disposed of according to the respective, applicable national laws.
^ Seals in the cooling system must be replaced by new ones following disassembly.

Maintenance Cover:

1. Open maintenance cover.

Cap On Coolant Reservoir:

ATTENTION: Danger of scalding with hot coolant!
--> Never open the cooling system when it is hot. Emerging coolant may be very hot and can cause scalding.
--> The cooling system must be depressurised before being opened.
--> Allow engine to cool down.

2. Carefully open the cap on the coolant reservoir. Unscrew the cap in an anti-clockwise direction.

Checking The Antifreeze Content:

3. Check antifreeze content with a commercially available antifreeze tester. If it is lower than -37°C, it must be adjusted accordingly. The coolant level must not drop below the minimum mark.





Note: The following table specifies how much coolant must be replaced by pure antifreeze in order to adjust the freezing point to -37°C.

Checking the antifreeze content of the coolant using a refractometer

Refractometer:

Note:
^ The following diagram shows the scale used by Leitenberger.
^ The scale can vary slightly, depending on the manufacturer.
^ The ETHYLENE scale must be used for Porsche antifreeze.

Pipette:

1. Using a pipette, take a sample from the coolant reservoir.

Depositing Drops On The Test Surface:

2. Deposit a few drops on the test surface.

Closing The Light Diffusing Lens:

3. Close the light-diffusing lens. A closed film must form.
4. Using the refractometer, view against a very bright light source. A very clear light/dark limit emerges. The point of intersection between this line and the display scale marks the freezing point of the coolant.
5. A freezing point that is too low must be adjusted accordingly.





Note: The following table specifies how much coolant must be replaced by pure antifreeze in order to adjust the freezing point to -37°C. Checking the cooling system for leaks

Cooling System Test Device:

1. Check the cooling system for leaks. To do this, apply a test pressure of approximately 1.5 bar using the cooling system test device and check hose connections for leakage. The pressure must not drop.

Graduated Disc In The Opening Of The Reservoir:

2. Check the coolant level. A graduated disc with a "min" and "max" marking is located in the opening of the reservoir. The "min" level must be covered with coolant.

Cap On Coolant Reservoir:

3. Screw on the cap of the coolant reservoir again until it locks with an audible click.
4. Close the maintenance flap.
5. Check radiator for external dirt. The radiators should not be excessively dirty. If necessary, they can be cleaned using a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment.