Coolant: Service and Repair
Draining and filling in coolant (includes bleeding)Tools
Tools and materials
Special tools
Information
Components of the radiator vacuum filling device
Note: Pay attention to the special features in the corresponding chapter for vehicles with auxiliary heater.
Draining coolant
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.
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 depressurized before being opened.
^ Allow engine to cool down.
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.
1. Open maintenance cover.
2. Carefully open the cap on the coolant reservoir. Unscrew the cap in an anti-clockwise direction.
3. Open cap on the reservoir and remove.
4. Remove engine guard.
5. Release the front apron on the underside.
6. Remove the support plate under the radiator. To do this, loosen the 4 fastening screws.
7. Drain cooling system. If present, remove the drain plug from the radiator, otherwise open the lowest coolant hose on the radiator, and drain the coolant into a container and dispose of it according to the applicable national laws if no longer required.
8. Fit a new drain plug on the radiator and tighten it. If removed, fasten coolant hose.
9. Install the support plate under the radiator. Tighten the four fastening screws. Tightening torque: 17 ft-lb.
Filling the cooling system (includes bleeding)
1. Screw the cap adapter for the coolant reservoir (K 60) onto the reservoir.
2. Connect the flexible extension (Fz 100) to the cap.
3. Connect the vacuum pressure gauge of the bleeder tool to the flexible extension. When doing so, ensure that both shut-off valves are closed (positioned at 90° to flow direction).
4. Connect the Venturi nozzle to the vacuum pressure gauge.
Note:
^ The coolant amount provided must be approx. 2 liters more than the amount which has to be filled.
^ Because differing quantities of coolant can drain away for different types of repairs, the filling capacities can vary greatly. Recommendation: To be on the safe side, fill the canister to 30 l, then bleed the cooling system. The difference after bleeding is the suctioned-in coolant quantity. Observe volume scale on the canister.
^ An antifreeze content of -35°C corresponds to a mixture of 50:50 (antifreeze: water).
5. Place a canister with a sufficient amount of coolant and with an antifreeze content of -35°C beside the vehicle near the reservoir.
Note: The bleeding process is completed more quickly if the canister is positioned at roughly the same height as the coolant expansion tank.
6. Push the filler hose -5- of the vacuum pressure gauge onto the canister connection. Lay the return line -6- from the Venturi nozzle to a second container (bucket).
Note: A hissing sound after connecting the compressed air supply is usual.
7. Connect the compressed air supply.
8. Open both shut-off valves on the vacuum pressure gauge until the transparent filler hose -5- has completely filled with coolant.
9. Close the left shut-off valve (V1) on the vacuum pressure gauge and allow a vacuum to build up in the cooling system.
Note:
^ If no vacuum is generated (the pointer does not move to the green area), there is a leak in the cooling system.
^ Deformation of the rubber hoses of the cooling system is normal.
^ When the pressure gauge pointer is in the green area of the display scale, a sufficient vacuum has been built up.
^ After both shutoff valves on the vacuum pressure gauge have been closed and the compressed air supply has been disconnected, the vacuum must not drop. If the vacuum drops within approx. 30 seconds, there is a leak in the coolant circuit.
10. When there is a sufficient vacuum in the cooling system (indicator is in the green area), close the right shut-off valve (V2) and then disconnect the compressed air supply.
11. Re-open the left shut-off valve (V1) on the vacuum pressure gauge. The cooling system is then filled.
12. When there is no trace of vacuum present or the coolant is no longer drawn from the canister, open the right shut-off valve (V2).
13. Then remove the complete filling tool (including the cap K 60).
14. If necessary, fill the coolant reservoir with coolant to the maximum marking.
Note: If necessary, the system can be checked for leaks.
15. Screw on the cover of the reservoir in a clockwise direction.
16. Close the maintenance cover.
17. Re-install the complete engine guard.
18. Conduct a test drive with the vehicle, check the fluid level in the reservoir after the cooling system has cooled again and, if necessary, fill up to the max marking with coolant.
Bleeding vehicles with auxiliary heater
1. Fill and bleed the vehicle as described in the previous chapter using the vacuum filling device.
2. Warm engine to operating temperature (90°C).
Note:
^ Do not activate the 2/3 directional-control valve with the Porsche System Tester above 1500 rpm.
^ Activate the 2/3 directional-control valve with the Porsche System Tester below 1500 rpm.
3. Operate engine for 5 minutes with changing engine speeds. When doing this, run the engine for 10 seconds in idle and then for 10 seconds at 4,000 rpm. In the speed transition from higher engine speeds (1500 to 4000 rpm) to idle (approx. 600), the directional-control valve should be activated with the Porsche System Tester below 1500 rpm. Note that the 2/3 directional-control valve is not activated with the Porsche System Tester above 1500 rpm.
4. Let the vehicle cool down.
5. Open maintenance cover.
6. Carefully open the cap on the coolant reservoir. Unscrew the cap in an anti-clockwise direction.
7. Check coolant level and, if necessary, fill the coolant reservoir with coolant to the maximum marking.
8. Screw on the cover of the reservoir.
9. Close the maintenance cover.