3 weekends later... coolant still not going in

[05Boxter]

Deep breath. Red flashing light on temp gauge; topped up with coolant. Day 2; red flashing light, smell of coolant. Found water spraying from pump. Ordered and replaced pump. All went well first time under the hood. 30 minutes to the engine, 1 hour on the pump and belt... then
4 hours trying to add coolant and burp the system; start the car stop the car, repeat.
back up driveway on steep incline, try again. Same results, about 2 gallons in, flashing red light, no temp indication. Admit defeat and order vacuum purge kit. 3X draining and siphoning in. Vacuum achieved was 27 psig. It took in about 2.5 gal. Same situation, no temp, flashing red light, 3 gallons left to add. Concerned about running it too long. Have read every post I can find. ANY ideas welcome.

[Scnell Gelb]

Check the Pelican DIY:
Porsche Boxster Water Pump and Thermostat Replacement - 986 / 987 (1997-08) - Pelican Parts Technical Article
There is much more to replacing the coolant than just pouring it in !
Air locks are the problem.In theory you jack up the rear of the car as high as you can with the heater "on".
Really you need a vacuum tool to assist.
Airlift is a good tool and it will help you diagnose leaks too:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQnfUe6P5VI

[steveng1993]

I just did my 01 pump and coolant tank.
The red light thing is controlled by the coolant level sensor that is in the coolant tank.

I had no issues getting coolant in with by jacking up the back. It did take about 3 cycles though.

[05Boxter]

Thanks for the inputs. I had raised the rear of the car (steep driveway) and had no luck. I also bought the vacuum kit and still got no further. The only thing I haven't tried was both techniques together. Will raise the rear and pull vacuum next. Thanks!

[Scnell Gelb]

Coolant level sensor disconnected/defective?
Did you run the engine long enough for the thermostat to fully open?

[Duezzer]

I just did my water pump yesterday - backed car onto ramps - Removed pump - had all the coolant caught in a couple of clean pans as I just did a flush last fall.

Reinstalled pump - removed trap door on the area that the Oil, Coolant and dipstick resided,
Flipped the vacuum unlock and poured the fluid back in.

Topped up the little bit of difference from a little that was left on garage floor and in the catch pans.

Had no problem having the coolant reenter the system.

Did you break the vacuum?

If you did your guess is as good as mine as to what is going on

Duezzer.

[05Boxter]

Thanks. This is about as strange as it gets. I obviously over estimated my rookie skills after 30 years as Mech Eng, 17 cars, 3 engine rebuilds, ad nausium...

Last weekend; raised the car, pulled the thermostat, pulled vacuum on system, raised rear end, and refilled... Same amount went in, and same results:

No readout on temp gauge, flashing red light (for low coolant) even though full...

Finally hooked up Durametric to OBD, reset all faults - Bam, gauge reading, no red light! Sorry but that was WTF moment #1.

Proudly watching her idle, then she starts screaming with high pitched belt squeal... Okay girl, you must've got coolant on your belt when water pump went out. New belt installed yesterday, and same squeal.

She didn't squeal before the water pump replacement and didn't squeal after, nor during all running time trying to fill the system. Squeal start after engine warms up (5 min), and will silence on acceleration. Having WTF moment #2. ANY help greatly appreciated! Middle of Tennessee with no import repair shops near by.

[Sapientoni]

Did you check that the pump turned freely after installing? Did you pull the little wire relief valve when filling? I just didn't see either of these things mentioned.

[05Boxter]

Thanks for that info. I did check the spin on the pump and popped the vent valve too. All makes me wonder if PO kinked a hose somewhere. Another weekend coming up...

[Duezzer]

You solve this yet - my curiosity is killing me