How many water pumps has your 986 been through?

[heliguy]

I am now on my 3rd water pump in 4 1/2 years of ownership. Definitely a weak point on these cars I think.

[Mark_T]

I changed my waterpump two years ago because I regrettably succumbed to the fear-mongering by certain people on this site. The one I removed was in perfect condition, both the bearing and the impeller, and was probably the original pump.

[Homeboy981]

Originally Posted by Mark_T

I changed my waterpump two years ago because I regrettably succumbed to the fear-mongering by certain people on this site. The one I removed was in perfect condition, both the bearing and the impeller, and was probably the original pump.

Ditto here. though I DID take the time to install a low-temp thermostat, since I was there. If/when you do replace it the low temp is the way to go, especially during hot Texas summers with the A/C blasting! The temp may get as high as before but it only spiking that temp and not staying there. I have extended the engine life in almost every vehicle by replacing the thermostat…..always a racer at heart!

[Chuck W.]

12 years 22,000 miles with the original water pump.

[pharaohjb]

14 years, 50k miles, original pump (to my knowledge).

[particlewave]

Original on a '99...I may pull it one of these days to have a look, but no rush. If it isn't broke, don't fix it

[Coffinhunter]

43,xxx miles and still working with the original

[husker boxster]

I know you're asking about 986 and mine is a 987, but the WP crapped out on my Boxster at 24K mi. Luckily it was covered under warranty. SM at Woodhouse said the blades were fine but there was a wobble in the shaft that caused it to leak. That's the only problem my Boxster's had in 5 yrs and 31K mi.

[Perfectlap]

After 80+K miles I kept putting it off even as recently as missing an appointment to bring it just last week.
Well I guess you know what I'm goint to tell you happened jus this past Sunday night.
A strange new sound started up. I was about 15 minutes from home albeit on the highway. The sound is gettting more noticebable. To the point that I pull over and check the coolant level. Yep only half full. Oh boy. Get in and try to make to at least my Indy's repair shop another 10 minutes away...nope. Lets go five minutes later on the highway and the dash light starts blinking. Flat bed $120 (+$40 tip for the ride to my house). Then a series of unintended brainfade ensues where I forget to remove my house key from the key chain before putting the key in the shop's drop box and of course forgetting my phone in the car. No car, no phone no house keys... $160 for locksmith and $40 for the pre-paid phone I had to buy at the supermarket.

At any rate Flat6 have posted that it is in your best interest to be proactive about the watermpump and replacing it every 40K miles. The factory I belive, if not mistaken, recommend no more than 60K miles on the original water pump. Either way there's no point in waiting until it goes on the highway. I would suggest replacing it when you change the coolant tank, a known weak spot on this car that also went on my car.

[shadrach74]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

After 80+K miles I kept putting it off even as recently as missing an appointment to bring it just last week.
Well I guess you know what I'm goint to tell you happened jus this past Sunday night.
A strange new sound started up. I was about 15 minutes from home albeit on the highway. The sound is gettting more noticebable. To the point that I pull over and check the coolant level. Yep only half full. Oh boy. Get in and try to make to at least my Indy's repair shop another 10 minutes away...nope. Lets go five minutes later on the highway and the dash light starts blinking. Flat bed $120 (+$40 tip for the ride to my house). Then a series of unintended brainfade ensues where I forget to remove my house key from the key chain before putting the key in the shop's drop box and of course forgetting my phone in the car. No car, no phone no house keys... $160 for locksmith and $40 for the pre-paid phone I had to buy at the supermarket.

At any rate Flat6 have posted that it is in your best interest to be proactive about the watermpump and replacing it every 40K miles. The factory I belive, if not mistaken, recommend no more than 60K miles on the original water pump. Either way there's no point in waiting until it goes on the highway. I would suggest replacing it when you change the coolant tank, a known weak spot on this car that also went on my car.

Coolent light blink has nothing to do with your pump, only coolent level. I realize your pump was leaking, but if your going to drive a car with a leaky WP anyway, there's no reason to flatbed it, just add a big gulp cup full of water to the res... Make sure the gauge stays in the normal range though. Escalating temps are a reason to stop.

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by shadrach74

Coolent light blink has nothing to do with your pump, only coolent level. I realize your pump was leaking, but if your going to drive a car with a leaky WP anyway, there's no reason to flatbed it, just add a big gulp cup full of water to the res... Make sure the gauge stays in the normal range though. Escalating temps are a reason to stop.

I assumed the waterpump failed completely from the smoke that was pouring out of the side. I think it made a last death sound too. I didn't even think to check the coolant level at that point, I just called for the tow. I was even hesitant to start the engine (to drive it off the last few feet of the flatbled) until the car had been shut down for a good 45 minutes in the cold winter temps. Oddly enough until very recently I always kept a gallon of distilled water in the rear trunk...

[WhipE350]

I changed mine for the heck of it at 55k miles, the original was just fine. Clearly from what I'm reading from others they STILL have quality control problems with these pumps. I don't get it, you would think they would find a better manufacturer.

[Henkel986]

99' with a total of 48k on her, had to replace the water pump at 42, 000 miles due to catastrophic failure. Shut the engine off and limped into a parking lot. Had her towed to the dealer and $1100 bucks later she was good as new.

[thom4782]

103K miles, 12 years, original pump

[schnellman]

Fourteen years and 50K miles on the same water pump.

[Frodo]

One, at 58.4K miles. Car now has 66K. I'm assuming the one that was in the car when I bought it (with 19K miles) was the original.

Seems to me that if you're on your 3rd in 4 1/2 years there's something else going on there, or else you're somehow getting water pumps that are extremely cheap and poorly made.

[Jaxonalden]

2004 S with 34K on the clock, original pump.

[derfo]

I have just done an under drive pulley job on my 2002 Boxster S. The water pump bearings seam rock solid. I checked it when I took the belt off. To my knowledge it is the original pump. 86,000 miles on the clock.

[thstone]

Just replaced my original pump at 124,000 miles because it was starting to leak/drip. I also installed the low temp thermostat while I was in there.

[litespeedp]

How much are people paying for water pump replacements? 13 years and 63,000 miles and to my knowledge,my pump is original.