[Foosh]

Let me first say that I read the manual on this question.

I've been familiarizing myself with the '19 Cayman Base CPO I took delivery of last Wednesday. This car has only 1750 miles.

Yesterday I was checking various fluid levels, and noticed there was no coolant showing in the standpipe of the filler, when the car is completely cool. The manual check procedure says fluid should be visible when cool, and if not, to top it off to the "max" mark. The car is not showing signs of overheating in the 100 or so miles I've driven it.

Obviously, it's not a big deal, as I will order the Porsche spec coolant and top it off per the manual instruction. However, I'm wondering if thIs this a normal occurrence? It seems weird that this would be the case on an essentially new car.

 

[JazzCatGab]

My manual says "The MAX marking only applies during refilling itself as the level in the standpipe drops after the engine is first started." To which I believe it means that if it needs refilling, fill to the MAX marking. Once the engine is ever started afterward, it will never show at the MAX marking.

 

[Foosh]

Yes, I read that, but it goes on to say if no coolant is visible in the standpipe when cold, it should be topped off. I found that confusing.

In my car, no coolant is visible in the standpipe

 

[MLJJ]

If you fill to max you will find drips/puddle of coolant on your garage floor after your first post-top off drive. But, wouldn't hurt to fill and see where it settles. Happened to me first week of ownership.

 

[Foosh]

Thanks. Will try that. Car's still under 2K mile break-in period, so I'm being good about staying under 4K rpms. I've been doing a lot of twisty road driving between 3-4K rpms, and it maintains a constant 194ºF coolant temp and an oil temp of around 200ºF. I have to assume that means it has adequate coolant.

 

[Foosh]

MLJJ,

You nailed it. I slowly added 1/2 qt (2 cups), which was the amount when fluid appeared at the bottom of the standpipe, and stopped there. I then took a drive to get everything up to op temp.

I just checked It 2 hours later and it’s now just below max level. So, it was 1/2 qt low, but had I filled it to max level, I would have recreated your puddle.

The manual should re-written to instruct adding just enough to show in the standpipe when cold, not topped off to max line.

Your post gave me that idea, so thanks.

 

[denial512]

Sorry to revive such a old thread, but from reading this, sounds like there is no harm in topping it off?

Worst case, it will overflow, and the liquid will just discharge out, and onto the road/etc. No harm, aside from pets/animals licking it up and dying of course..

Agreed?

 

[DomTheBoxster]

Can someone provide a picture of what the coolant tank looks like when it is "full"? I looked into the tray and could see liquid at the very bottom but had to basically look straight down.