While You're In There: Coolant Expansion Tank

[sweet victory]

2002+ cars require the engine to be lowered a little to get the tank out. On 1999-2001 cars you can get away with pulling the tank out without lowering the engine. I've done this on my 2002, and it was painful process. Lots of curse words were used.

While you are there, pay attention to the vacuum line fittings for the SAI pump, as you can accidentally crack them or break them and you will get the P0491&P0492. Also, get the special cable pliers for taking off the hose clams. All of the OEM claims are the non-worm types, so they are painful to take off without the special tool. Make sure that you also correctly slot the new tank, as it is has to "slot" into the chassis that it attaches to.

Appreciate the input. I may order a roll of the vacuum line ahead of time just to change it out anyways.

Do you happen to have an amazon link for the tool? I have a few others, but they are specific to Mercedes.

By slot, are you referring to the "T" shape on the top that looks like it should be inserted into a slot?

[5chn3ll]

Well, true for some jobs - but I still say Porsche brakes are the easiest brakes to service of any car I've ever worked on.

At least, once you junk the wear sensors and anti-squeal hardware.

[5chn3ll]

If you're going to drop the engine down to access the tank, it might be a good time to swap out the water pump.

It's also a good time to check your motor mounts.

[B3DAWG]

Since you're dropping your engine, here's a comprehensive list of things to replace while changing your coolant reservoir:

1. IMS
2. RMS
3. AOS
4. SOS (comes with every Porsche)
5. Water Pump
6. Oil Cooler
7. Alternator
8. Belt... no, not the one holding your pants up!
9. Air box and the Air Bag - no, I'm not insulting your wife.
10. Coolant hoses or any other type of hose
11. Brake lines, power steering lines, clothes lines, etc.
12. Master cylinder
13. Rotors/Brakes/Calipers
14. Steering pump
15. Front and rear suspension components
16. all rubber and plastic parts in the fender well and belly of the car
17. Front and rear light enclosures
18. side markers
19. unibody structure and the gazzillion of bolts and screws holdin' this puppy together
20. interior carpet - if it's any color than graphite grey, then it may be worth something
21. seats
22. alcantara headliner - great for making a funky hat
23. sunroof - yea, that's what those buttons do. It's a hole in the roof used once or twice a year.
24. dash - no, not the spice
25. door panels - you'll be surprised how little is behind it.

am I missing anything here?

26. dash gauge cluster - you can easily sell this to TonyTwoBags. hahaaha
27. switches and knobs
28. Becker radio and speakers (trash it all immediately)
29. ECU module
30. Alarm/Immobilizer module
31. SRS module
32. all wiring
33. all trim pieces - yea, those little things that have the paint scratching off
34. center console - paint it the exterior color of the car and it will double in value
35. locking mechanisms - never worked anyway
36. the millions of sensors on the car
38. ABBA, Village People, and Captain & Tennille cassette tapes
39. Dice hanging from the mirror
40. Last, but not least, just go ahead a replace the M96 motor too

let me know if you need anymore advice.

[DBJoe996]

You forgot the air filter and pollen filter

[5chn3ll]

You left off the steering wheel swap (4-spoke to 3-spoke) and preventive replacement of the clockspring. F'n amateur.

Since you're dropping your engine, here's a comprehensive list of things to replace while changing your coolant reservoir:

let me know if you need anymore advice.

[sweet victory]

Water pump, AOS, and motor mounts have all been replaced. I am thinking of replacing some of my coolant lines since I'll be doing a flush.

Here's a silly question. Why hasn't anyone ever offered an aluminum coolant tank? I like parts that will last the life of the vehicle.

This one isn't too far off.

[Kalashnikov]

2002+ cars require the engine to be lowered a little to get the tank out. On 1999-2001 cars you can get away with pulling the tank out without lowering the engine. I've done this on my 2002, and it was painful process. Lots of curse words were used.

While you are there, pay attention to the vacuum line fittings for the SAI pump, as you can accidentally crack them or break them and you will get the P0491&P0492. Also, get the special cable pliers for taking off the hose clams. All of the OEM claims are the non-worm types, so they are painful to take off without the special tool. Make sure that you also correctly slot the new tank, as it is has to "slot" into the chassis that it attaches to.

Appreciate the input. I may order a roll of the vacuum line ahead of time just to change it out anyways.

Do you happen to have an amazon link for the tool? I have a few others, but they are specific to Mercedes.

By slot, are you referring to the "T" shape on the top that looks like it should be inserted into a slot?

Correct.

[5chn3ll]

It makes it somewhat harder to identify when your block cracks and intermix fills your coolant tank. The plastic semi-transparent model Porsche uses makes it easier to identify when it's time to toss a lit flare into the engine bay and walk away.

Here's a silly question. Why hasn't anyone ever offered an aluminum coolant tank? I like parts that will last the life of the vehicle.

[sweet victory]

So on the other forum I'm being scared into swapping out the water pump. My water pump was replaced 45k miles ago with a Porsche OEM pump. Do you guys go by the 4 year rule, or mileage? (It was replaced 5.5 years ago) That being said...what camp should I be in? Composite impeller? Metal impeller?