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+--- Thread: Coolant smell and a slow drip, am I looking at water pump or something simpler? (/showthread.php?tid=139)
Coolant smell and a slow drip, am I looking at water pump or something simpler? - pedrobowen - 10-14-2026
Noticed a faint sweet smell after driving my Boxster recently and then spotted a couple of dried pinkish stains on the garage floor, nothing dramatic, just enough to know something is weeping. Coolant level in the tank has dropped slightly over a few weeks but not dangerously, and the temperature has stayed rock solid every drive so far. I know these cars have a reputation for coolant pipes and water pumps around this age, and I've read enough forum threads to scare myself into thinking it's always the worst case. The thing is I don't know if it's just a loose hose clamp or a failing water pump seal, and I'd rather not replace the whole system if a simpler fix would do. Someone mentioned https://alzaabiautocare.com/brands/porsche/ handles this kind of diagnostic work, so I might look into that before deciding. My questions are whether a pressure test will pinpoint the leak reliably or if it can miss a small weep, and whether it's worth doing the water pump and thermostat together as prevention even if only one is leaking. Also how urgent is this, can I keep driving gently for a few weeks or is that asking for an overheating disaster?