dak911

I "assume" that one of the dash warnings is a low coolant ?
I don't have the manual here, but if there is, at what point would the LOW COOLANT dash light come on ?
Would a quart do it?

Tier1Terrier

Not sure I would wait for the light. Just check the bobble gauge in the back and make sure the little red ball is near the middle of the circle or toward the top.

dak911

Never had THIS problem with the AIR COOLED CARS !!

CSK 911 C4S

I'm wondering what light you are referring.

It will say in the display low coolant so post a picture of this mystery light.

dak911

Here's the story
A few weeks ago I noticed a very slight "burning" smell (not coolant) after driving about 20 minutes...
No notice of any warning lights on the dash, checking the coolant it was a quart low.
I assume that the engine was running a bit hotter than normal and the "burning" was caused by the elevated temperature burning off what ever
would not "burn" at the normal temperature ???

vanlieremead

You may new to your 911? That is the “Porsche smell”. I got it after my first Autocross (years ago). The engine temp fluctuates enough for anything to start to smell - maybe the first time but I’ve never been so privileged! Like everyone said, just add a bit. But, you should never loose coolant. If you do, you have a leak.

if you are new, PM me for some info. Good luck either way.

dak911

New to Porsche.... Not really, My first 911 was a 79 triple black Targa that I bought in 1981... 7 911's, 5 Boxsters a 356 Cabrio, a 914 (2,0) (did I forget some) ?
But thi is the first time I've smelled "burning"
This is the first 991 (2019 Base Cabrio 36,00 miles when I bought it) that I've owned, the 911 before this was a 997 (06 Cabrio, Porsche numbering is strange) the Boxters were in between
I've had this one for about 8 months (but not used a lot)..and have not seen any evidence of a leak .... (Aircooled 911's leak, but not coolant only oil)
ps.. My avatar is an 79 911 Euro Turbo look that I imported in 85... I towed the RIB from FL to PA (photo)

ninefiveone

Coolant systems don’t work like that (less coolant, higher temp). Sure if the coolant is low enough, engine temps will rise but it’s fairly binary. Either there is enough coolant to cool the engine or not.

The question is what kind of burning smell you’re getting. Rubber, oil, etc?

dak911

Very slight burning,,, not rubber, doesn't smell like oil ??

MikeL31

every porsche, bmw and audi ive had always burns some coolant at some point. some more frequently than others. ive probably topped off the coolant 2-3 times in the 20k miles i have on my 991.

IXLR8

Still got one.

IXLR8

Its not burning off. You have a slight leak somewhere. I've never had to add coolant when the system is at the proper level in all the cars and motorcycles I have had. Its a sealed system.