I'm replacing the coolant temp sensor right now due to a flashing red light causing a check engine light and a coolant message popping up on the gauges. Code is P3081-coolant temp sensor. I thought it would be difficult due to the tight confines of the engine being located in the and all. Not to mention I was beginning to think I need to either get the vehicle on a lift or jack it up to get under it (pain in the A**) and to my suprise...Neither. i didn't need to jack it up or lift it, I could change the sensor just how it sits. It's very easy to locate and replace. Located behind the front seats is a carpet wall, and under the carpet is a aluminum heatshield cover that separates you from the engine, and its held in place by a few 10mm bolts. When you remove that engine cover (not to be confused with the cover in the trunk that faces upwards either) you will see the drive belt and pulleys and now access to the front of the engine and the coolant temp sensor is located (using a imaginary clock face) about at the 4 or 5 o'clock area kinda in the lower right hand side (facing the front of the engine while looking at it). Very easy to replace, and when you do, do it FAST unless you want all your engine coolant making a mess and everywhere except in your engine where it belongs. Top off the coolant afterwards, clear codes and test drive vehicle and keep an eye on the coolant temp. If it goes past half make sure to run the heater when you test drive to circulate the coolant and if you don't have hot air blowing and your coolant temp is at the halfway point on the gauge then that means there is a decent size air pocket in your cooling system and it needs to be properly Bled. Sounds a little dramatic but doing this can prevent the possibility of blowing a head gasket just fyi.
The red light was flashing indicating something is needing attention regarding your cooling system. It could be flashing for a number of reasons like a faulty sensor, low coolant level, or -your engine running too hot. In your case I would assume your red flashing light was on because low coolant level and due to the low coolant, it was making your engine run hotter than normal. That was the reason (from what you described) your temperature Guage was reading high, thus triggering a red flashing light aswell. It Explains why your vehicle gulped up the additional gallons of coolant......it probably had none or very little coolant to begin with.
Appreciate the content! My 986 had a heater core leak in the middle of canadian winter and I had to replace the coolant along the way. I had a hard time figuring on how to do the flush. I believe these cars have the dry sump system by default, which requires significantly more oil than a conventional wet sump. The engine layout also left more volume for coolants to stay.
Prestone is superior to the Zerex G-05 and OEM coolant, because it doesn't have silicates which destroy the water pump seal and also coats the system in a thermal blanket which can reduce heat transfer as much as 14%. This will shock most people not in the know, but you can use any house brand extended life coolant and that is really the best solution. If you don't mind spending a little more, get Peak Global Lifetime and use that.
Interesting my 2002 boxer with a 2.7 has that same flashing red light I was told it needed a coolant temperature sensor replaced now I'm just wondering if it's just a little coolant I will check thanks for the video
Not too many folks have both Boxster and z4. I like you am fortunate to have both. Z3 are fairly cheap in my area. It just requires more repairs than the other two. If you roll up you sleeves, it is a great car to own. Have fun. Keep wrenching. Stay safe.
hi i have problem with my porsche boxstrer 986 2002 every morning i need to up coolant is no leaking i think problem is with coolant tank when engine is hot coolant in tank is cold mey be you now whaits wrong?
If you are filling, there is a leak. Definitely check the trunk to see if it is wet. Could be leaking out and you did not notice. Check elsewhere. Then you should have enough coolant and pressure to continue diagnose. Share what you find.
Mine is a 2000. Keep in mind, there is a cover on top of the bleeder. Remove oil and coolant cap. Then you can remove the flat cover. Then you will see the bleeder.
That is fair. Only provide more insights for folks who need the info. Sounds like you know a lot. Continue to share. If you can, help provide more info to help others. Thanks.
@@Simplenetwks very mature response. I'm one of the folks who needs the info, as every car I own has the engine at the front and isn't as, let's say, finicky as the Porsche is... Keep it up bro. I liked this video, I have a 986 with the flashing coolant light so I will follow the video and pray it isn't the sensor which is dodgy!
@@sdaafasfadI'm replacing the coolant temp sensor right now due to a flashing red light causing a check engine light and a coolant message popping up on the gauges. Code is P3081-coolant temp sensor. I thought it would be difficult due to the tight confines of the engine being located in the and all. Not to mention I was beginning to think I need to either get the vehicle on a lift or jack it up to get under it (pain in the A**) and to my suprise...Neither. i didn't need to jack it up or lift it, I could change the sensor just how it sits. It's very easy to locate and replace. Located behind the front seats is a carpet wall, and under the carpet is a aluminum heatshield cover that separates you from the engine, and its held in place by a few 10mm bolts. When you remove that engine cover (not to be confused with the cover in the trunk that faces upwards either) you will see the drive belt and pulleys and now access to the front of the engine and the coolant temp sensor is located (using a imaginary clock face) about at the 4 or 5 o'clock area kinda in the lower right hand side (facing the front of the engine while looking at it). Very easy to replace, and when you do, do it FAST unless you want all your engine coolant making a mess and everywhere except in your engine where it belongs. Top off the coolant afterwards, clear codes and test drive vehicle and keep an eye on the coolant temp. If it goes past half make sure to run the heater when you test drive to circulate the coolant and if you don't have hot air blowing and your coolant temp is at the halfway point on the gauge then that means there is a decent size air pocket in your cooling system and it needs to be properly Bled. Sounds a little dramatic but doing this can prevent the possibility of blowing a head gasket just fyi.
