Coolant leak, power steer fail, temp too hot!

[mcajic]

I recently purchased a 2001 986 Boxster 2.7L.
There was a check engine light that I took to a mechanic to diagnose before buying it. He said "Just a vacuum air leak; nothing major." The check engine light went away after he checked it.
A week or so later my check engine light came back on. This time I went to AutoZone so they can figure out what the issue is. Their computer said that the O2 sensor needs to be replaced, and that the MAF does too.
I continue driving my car for a few days and all of a sudden my power steering fails. The battery light was blinking (later, it stayed on) on my instrument cluster. I notice that the AC begins to blow outside air (I live in Texas so 100 degree heat was blowing in my face).
The most important thing I notice is that the water temp shot up to max (250 degrees). Luckily I was a mile from my house when I noticed this so I just drove it home slowly. I left it curbside outside my home and I see a significant puddle of fluid on the ground. It was green and somewhat fluorescent. Im assuming this is coolant. I even see a steady drip from underneath the car (right under where the passenger side air intake is) in front of the rear passenger side tires. Actually it leaked from both sides in front of the rear tires but the majority of the fluid came from the passenger side. I looked around on forums and I can only deduce this is coolant leaking due to a bad tank or a hose damage. I call porsche and they tell me over the phone (without seeing the car) that the water pump is bad and threw out the serpentine belt. This would cost me 2000$ to fix at the dealer. I'm sure there is a better alternative, or maybe this problem is because of a different issue from what Porsche told me.
PLEASE help! Thank you!!

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by mcajic

I recently purchased a 2001 986 Boxster 2.7L.
There was a check engine light that I took to a mechanic to diagnose before buying it. He said "Just a vacuum air leak; nothing major." The check engine light went away after he checked it.
A week or so later my check engine light came back on. This time I went to AutoZone so they can figure out what the issue is. Their computer said that the O2 sensor needs to be replaced, and that the MAF does too.
I continue driving my car for a few days and all of a sudden my power steering fails. The battery light was blinking (later, it stayed on) on my instrument cluster. I notice that the AC begins to blow outside air (I live in Texas so 100 degree heat was blowing in my face).
The most important thing I notice is that the water temp shot up to max (250 degrees). Luckily I was a mile from my house when I noticed this so I just drove it home slowly. I left it curbside outside my home and I see a significant puddle of fluid on the ground. It was green and somewhat fluorescent. Im assuming this is coolant. I even see a steady drip from underneath the car (right under where the passenger side air intake is) in front of the rear passenger side tires. Actually it leaked from both sides in front of the rear tires but the majority of the fluid came from the passenger side. I looked around on forums and I can only deduce this is coolant leaking due to a bad tank or a hose damage. I call porsche and they tell me over the phone (without seeing the car) that the water pump is bad and threw out the serpentine belt. This would cost me 2000$ to fix at the dealer. I'm sure there is a better alternative, or maybe this problem is because of a different issue from what Porsche told me.
PLEASE help! Thank you!!

It sounds more like either your water pump failed and broke the serpentine belt, or the belt itself just failed. In either case, overheating these cars is a major no-no, the engine and cylinder heads do not take kindly to it.

The belt is a $30 item, the water pump is in the $100-200 range, use the factory pump only, no aftermarket units. You will need about $60-75 worth of OEM (only) anti freeze and a few gallons (about $1 each) of distilled water. The rest of it is all labor.

[thom4782]

As JFP implied, if the serpentine belt failed, the engine temperature will rise, perhaps overheat, the battery will stop charging, the power steering pump will stop pumping and the ac compressor will stop compressing. It could be the entire problem. More likely, the water pump could have seized, which could lead to a serpentine belt problem. The cost to repair these two item is about $1000 dollars with labor included.

If you're at all handy, you can open the front engine compartment access cover. Look to see if the serpenting belt has broken or come off its pulleys. While its off, spin the water pump pulley. If there is resistance or it make noises, then then suspect a broken water pump too. Replacing the belt is easy. Replacing the water pump or bleeding air out of the cooling system after refilling it is more difficult. BTW: if you or the shop find that the water pump impellers have broken off, find all the pieces and / or reverse flush the cooling system.

The CEL light is a different issue. You should get a more complete diagnosis. It could be a vacuum leak, a bad MAF or a weak/non-working O2 sensor. Before you start spending money on expensive parts, get all the diagnostic codes. Replacing the MAF and the O2 sensors could add $1000 to the bill. Boxster parts are pricey. Finding and fixing the vacuum leak can run up the labor hours.

[tonythetarga]

It helps to identify what part of the country you are in. You might get a recommendation for a good independent shop in your area so you don't have to pay dealer prices if you take the car in. If you are reasonably mechanical, get a Bentley manual for the car and order the parts to do the work yourself. What you don't know you can ask about; there are a lot of helping hands here.
Good luck with your Boxster.

[mcajic]

Okay thank you all!