Defective coolant tank sensor - need to remove tank to replace or not?

My 98 boxster has a defective coolant level sensor. Is it easy to replace? How long should it take an experienced mechanice? Thanks.

__________________
This post was auto-generated based upon a question asked on our tech article page here: Pelican Technical Article: Boxster Coolant Tank Replacement - 986 / 987

[Wayne 962]

The sensor is located in the bottom of the tank, and I honestly can't remember if you can remove that sensor without taking out the whole tank. I'm not 100% sure, so I will copy this question to the forums, and someone there can probably chime in on this.

- Wayne

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by philip (guest)

My 98 boxster has a defective coolant level sensor. Is it easy to replace? How long should it take an experienced mechanice? Thanks.

__________________
This post was auto-generated based upon a question asked on our tech article page here: Pelican Technical Article: Boxster Coolant Tank Replacement - 986 / 987

Yellow arrow is the tank level sensor..............

[tomk]

i just did the coolant tank replacement and while i am not positive, i doubt it. moreover, how do you know the sensor is leaking? it could well be the tank is leaking and it is dripping off the sensor as it runs off from another location. These tanks are notorious for failing. if you do replace the tank get a cable operated hose clamp removal tool. Also, in addition to the great article on this site I was able to remove a few of the hose holddowns to the body inside the engine compartment located on the passenger bulkhead and work the entire assembly to the rear thereby exposing the hose clamps to the inside trunk area. Made the job way easier and faster

[ghtaboma]

Prepare yourself for cut hands! You can remove the inside engine compartment bottom right tank hose that connects to the lowest inlet t o the tank, from the top of the engine. One that is off, and the center oil fill pipe hose is loosened the tank will pull out thru the trunk. Throw out the spring clamp that connects that hose and use the screw type. It can be done. to get the bottom hose clamp off, you must use a high quality remote clamp tool, like the $40.00 one at Sears. It beats coming in under the car.

[Luccia at Pelican Parts]

We also may have a tool for the job in our tools section here if anyone needs it: PelicanParts.com - Hose Clamps & Pinch-Off Pliers

[FL_Greg]

I just replaced my coolant tank. Yes, you can do this in your garage - great project for my 16 year old and me.

We were able to remove the tank wihtout going under the car as some bulletin boards say.

Few tips:
1) Cut the hose behind the fire wall (the one that connects to the nipple through the firewall) - it makes it much easier to remove. Buy $4 worth of new hose and cut to size

2) Put silicone spray on the metal tube the hose needs to go over - much easiet to install

3) Buy the clamp removal tool - this was the hardest part of the job. It took MANY attempts to get the rear hose clamp off - wish I cut the hose earlier!

[ghtaboma]

Wow! What a good idea. Just cut that bottom inlet hose from the engine bay, and viola, out she comes. Far enough to get at manifold hoses. Get the best quality hose you can, so you don't have to do it again! To pull the tank thru, you must loosen the big oil-filler hose. It's easy to get at from the engine bay.

[FL_Greg]

FYI - You can change the coolant tank witthout removing tthe 3 manifold hoses inside the engine compartmennt. Just remove them fron the truck side.