The next day after the car arrived, I decided to take it to work to smog it and get the car registered. Since I work 30 minutes away, I figured this would be enough time to get the catalytic converter up to temp. On the way to work, there was enough coolant leaking out of the heater core to get my windows to fog up but engine temperature appeared to be stable. The fan did cycle in an odd fashion, 5 seconds on 3 seconds off. This seemed to be continuous unless it remained on. Seemed like an odd design for Porsche. Later I found out that this is not normal and can be air in the system, one of many sensors or corroded resistor wires. I arrive at Poway Smog Station, really great place that never takes more than 15 minutes to complete.  They scan the VIN number off the door and run the test. The exhaust did not smell very clean but it passed. Success! The NOx was on the high side but it passed. I head off to work smelling like coolant.

To get the car registered I decided to take a late lunch. My luck, the day I decide to take the car to work, it rains. Not expected in San Diego but luckily the sunroof is taped up. I drive the car over to the AAA. Keep in mind, I’m driving without a license plate which is not really legal. At the AAA everything was going well until we go outside to check the VIN numbers. The lady looks at the federal label on the door and starts writing it down, and then gives me a concerned look. The VIN on the title does not match the door. O s….. I look at the A-pillar and the frame in the engine bay. Those match but why is the door wrong? The carfax and autocheck were clean. We head inside so she can make a couple calls to check if this is alright. While she does this I realize that the smog check was performed on the wrong VIN and I will have to redo the smog. Really not something I want to do as I want to replace the 10 year 30k mile timing belt as soon as possible. Ok, turns out everything with the VIN is ok as long as I file a statement stating the door was replaced. I pay my fees and proceed back to work. The lady at the Saber Springs AAA, Gwen, was very nice and really made this experience as smooth as it could be. For sure a place I would return to.

I text the previous owner asking him why the door does not match. Of course, as predicted, he claims to not know anything about it. Really? You own the car for 10 years and don’t realize any of this. At this point I get the feeling this guy is either clueless or has been conning me from day one. You can make your own judgment.

To make up for my long lunch I stayed late at work meaning I would have to drive the car at night. Tired, I get into the car at 8:30pm. I start it up, turn the lights on and find that the instrument lights do not work at all. Nothing. Not even the vent control lights. Damn, another thing the super duper fantastic PPI shop missed. Funny how they noted the wipers were worn and the mirror adjustment didn’t work, but missed the interior lights. I drove home blind, coolant leaking, fan cycling non-stop. Every couple of minutes I checked the instruments with my phone to find everything to be ok. At this point there is about half a gallon of coolant in the pan I have in the passenger foot well to catch it. Right as I pull the car into the garage the temperature starts to go up. Perfect timing, I shut the car off before it’s able to go past the half way point on the gage, 90c I believe. I was a bit surprised to see the temp jump with half a gallon missing. I step out of the car to find that a small puddle of coolant is under the car near the back seats. And it clicks, there has been more coolant leaking that was not being caught by my pan. I remembered a puddle under my car at the AAA and at work but I figured that was the rain. I guess not.