Porsche Cayenne, VW Touareg, Audi Q7 Replace Coolant Overflow Reservoir

Is your Porsche coolant reservoir having cracks and already leaking, making your engine overheat? Following the procedures below, you learn how to remove and replace the coolant overflow reservoir (coolant expansion tank) on Porche Cayenne. This guide also applies to Volkswagen TOUAREG 2004-2010 and Audi Q7 2007-2015 as these cars are built on the same platform.

The common problem is that the coolant reservoir cracks and develops a leak, leading to coolant loss and engine overheating. Another problem with these units is that the level sensor may fail and require replacing the whole coolant tank assembly.

Procedure

Park the vehicle, turn off the engine, and let it cool down. Allow the engine to cool down for a few hours.

2. Pull the hood release under the dashboard and open the hood.

3. Locate the coolant reservoir on the passenger side of the engine. The coolant expansion tank is black.

porsche cayenne vw touareg audi q7 coolant overflow reservoir

4. Remove the black plastic trim that goes around the engine. There is a T25 Torx screw below the windshield washer fluid cap. Open the cap to access this bolt.

5. Remove the air intake pipe. Align the screw notch with the small channel. Next, pull out the screws. Once you remove both screws, you can disconnect the air inlet.

6. Unclip the metal retainers for the air filter housing.

7. Remove the air filter housing completely. There is a 10mm bolt that holds the housing to the frame

8. Use a 16mm socket to remove the torque arm bolt.

Next, remove two 16mm bolts that secure the torque arm bracket to the frame. One bolt is towards the back of the bracket.

16mm bolt to frame remove to accesss coolant tank

Once you remove the torque arm bracket, you will see an exposed T30 bolt that secures the overflow tank to the frame.

9 Locate the connector that plugs into the temperature sensor. Press on the connector clip, then pull it off.

10. Disconnect all the hoses from the overflow tank. Use needle-nose pliers to release the clamps.

As you disconnect one hose at a time, keep a container nearby to collect all the coolant that comes out of the coolant tank.

On Turbo models, there is a power brake vacuum pump next to the reservoir. You will need to remove this as well. To remove the brake vacuum pump, you will need to disconnect the hose that goes to it, the electrical connector, and two 10mm bolts

11. Remove the T30 Torx screw that secures the tank to the frame

12. Disconnect the hose on the bottom of the tank.

13. Install the new coolant reservoir in reverse order. Pay close attention to the bracket on the bottom side of the tank. The new coolant tank must slide into the bracket on top of the frame.

14. Reconnect the rest of the hoses.

15. Add genuine engine coolant.

Applications

2003 Porsche Cayenne
2004 Porsche Cayenne
2005 Porsche Cayenne
2006 Porsche Cayenne
2007 Porsche Cayenne
2008 Porsche Cayenne
2009 Porsche Cayenne
2010 Porsche Cayenne
2003 Audi Q7, VW Touareg
2004 Audi Q7, VW Touareg
2005 Audi Q7, VW Touareg
2006 Audi Q7, VW Touareg
2007 Audi Q7, VW Touareg
2008 Audi Q7, VW Touareg
2009 Audi Q7, VW Touareg

We hope you find the Porsche Cayenne, VW Touareg, and Audi Q7 Replace Coolant Overflow Reservoir guide helpful. Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your Porsche.

Author

Rushit Hila • ASE Certified

Rushit Hila, an ASE-certified engineer (G1 Automotive Maintenance and Repair), brings over two decades of hands-on experience in the automotive world to his writing. With a strong educational background, including a Master of Science in Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, he has honed his skills and expertise through years of practical work. As a respected authority in the field, Mr. Hila is dedicated to offering insightful and valuable content that resonates with both vehicle owners and mechanics.

View all posts