Water Pump Gasket Question
 

Fellow Forum Members,

Question about my water pump gasket:

Do I need to get a metal gasket from my local Porsche dealer or use the paper gasket that came with the pump? And if so, what sealant do you all recommend for the paper gasket?
Thanks
MNC-I

BACKGROUND
I’m replacing my water pump and thermostat. My 1999 Boxster Tiptronic with over 301,000 miles developed a massive water pump leak. I purchased a low temperature thermostat from Pelican parts and it came with a metal gasket. My new water pump came with an old fashion paper gasket.
I’ve read the technical articles on replacing a Boxster water pump on the Pelican Parts website and read the about the procedure in my Bentley Service Manual and 101 Projects for Your Porsche Boxster. I don’t believe I read anything about using gasket sealant. But I’ve changed many water pumps on GM & Ford small block V8s and V6s. And each time the pump came with a paper gasket and I used sealant.
I changed both radiators in February. My wife says I should have changed the pump when I changed the radiators

When I replaced my water pump, I used the metal gasket without sealant. It has been almost 4 years and 30,000 miles and it hasn't leaked.

Glad to see a Boxster can endure for 300k.

Sounds like you need to listen to your wife! What are her thoughts on the water pump you bought? Hopefully you bought a Pierburg. You are going to lose all your coolant you just put in after the rad install, but consider it a good flushing. As far as the gasket, toss the paper in the trash and buy the metal gasket. You don't want to have to clean old gasket sealer during future pump changes. At 300k I doubt you have the original pump but pay attention to the gasket cutting instructions if you do! And if you do DAMN! Congrats on the big 300k!!!

Metal gasket for me too, my pump was still original after 115,000 miles and 15 years, I had to cut the old gasket off, I used Pierburg as well. No sealant. Did the low temp thermostat and flush at the same time as well.

KevinH1990
911monty
Steve0x,

Thanks for your recommendations.

I just went out and bought a swivel socket for that hard to get to thermostat bolt.

I will pick up a metal gasket at my local dealer tomorrow afternoon.

Thanks again.
MNC-I

Just remember that WP bolt torque is very light...7 lb-ft IIRC.

Also keep in mind (IIRC)...some of the bolts holding the wp in place are different length. It may be just one, I just don't remember. In any case, keep track of which go where, since access on one or two of them is a little bit of a pain.

I think there are two bolts that are different, I mapped them.out on a piece of cardboard, and when it was time to.put it back.together it was apparent which two were the longer ones, I think they lined up with two detente or something that helped the WP line up. There is a thread somewhere on here detailing which two are different.

Yep, it's two on either side of the two on the bottom by the hose (in other words, the hardest ones to reach).