Your Porsche is a performance vehicle that meets and exceeds all the performance standards. It is a sleek vehicle with a high-quality interior that matches the exterior. You expect your Porsche to remain in the same condition that you purchased it in, which is why it is important to keep up with the regularly scheduled services. Even with sticking to this strict maintenance schedule, you may run into unexpected issues.
An issue you could face is a coolant leak from the thermostat housing. Continue reading to learn about the importance of the thermostat and its housing, what signs to look for if there is a leak, and how to deal with the coolant leak.
The Importance of the Thermostat and its Housing
The thermostat plays an important part in the engine cooling system. The cooling system is responsible for maintaining the temperature of the engine and for ensuring that the engine does not overheat.
The thermostat helps to warm up the engine quickly and to keep the engine at the most optimal temperature. The coolant then flows through the engine and the radiator to remove the excess heat that is being created.
Depending on the make, model, and year of your Porsche, the thermostat is located on either the upper or lower radiator hose. The thermostat is a simple part that contains a valve that opens and closes at a certain temperature. The valve remains closed when you start the engine when it is cold. The closed valve prevents the coolant from flowing into the engine prematurely, as the engine needs time to warm up. Then, the thermostat valve opens when your Porsche’s engine is approaching the optimal performance temperature. The coolant is gradually let in to ensure the temperature is not reduced too quickly.
The thermostat and its valve are placed in a housing unit to protect it from being damaged by flowing coolant.
Signs of Coolant Leaks from the Thermostat Housing
Coolant can leak from any part of the cooling system, as it has to travel through different hoses and pipes. One place that coolant can leak is from the thermostat housing.
The first sign to be aware of is a coolant puddle forming at the front of your Porsche. As previously stated, the coolant flows through the engine and the radiator. When there is a coolant leak, it will always be at the front of the vehicle and it has a distinguishable color. Coolant can come in pink, green, or even purple. These are all different colors than engine oil, so you will know upon inspection if the leak is coolant.
When coolant leaks from the thermostat housing, it is generally because the thermostat is having issues. When the thermostat gets stuck in the closed position, the chance for a coolant leak becomes greater. A closed thermostat valve means that the engine is heating up to the optimal temperature. The valve needs to open to let the coolant flow through the engine to absorb the excess heat. When the valve is stuck, the coolant is blocked, and the engine is in danger of overheating.
Another sign to look for that points to a thermostat housing coolant leak is the temperature gauge reading high into the read. The temperature gauge on the dashboard is the first indicator that there is an issue with the thermostat and the thermostat housing. When the gauge remains in the red for 15 minutes or more, then you know there is a serious problem with the thermostat and its housing. The problem is most likely the thermostat valve stuck in the closed position, causing coolant to leak out.
Dealing with Coolant Leaks from Thermostat
Coolant leaking from the thermostat housing of your Porsche is an issue that you should let your trusted mechanics at Hayes European inspect and diagnose. We are easily accessible from the areas of Santa Cruz, Aptos, Soquel, and Capitola, CA.
When you bring your Porsche into us, the most up-to-date diagnostic tools are used to determine exactly where the coolant leak is coming from and if the thermostat housing needs to be replaced. High-quality parts will then be used to ensure your Porsche is back up to the standard that you are accustomed with your model. You and your Porsche will be confidently back on the road quickly. Come in today or call us for an appointment. We look forward to earning your business.