First 986 project: Replacing water pump

[Gilles]

LoneWolfGal, first of all congratulations on your first repair!

Now that you become more intimately involved with your car, it will put a smile on your face every time you drive your car

I was surprised to see the melted plastic on the center of the impeller, you have to ensure to get all the air pockets out of the system to avoid any overheating issues.
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[Bush Pilot]

I've got a 97 with 53k mi. Should I replace the water pump to avoid an upcoming failure?

[Frodo]

Originally Posted by Bush Pilot

I've got a 97 with 53k mi. Should I replace the water pump to avoid an upcoming failure?

Never been changed?

By all means! There are potential downsides to taking it to where it actually fails.

[LoneWolfGal]

Originally Posted by Gilles

I was surprised to see the melted plastic on the center of the impeller, you have to ensure to get all the air pockets out of the system to avoid any overheating issues.

The impeller's center bearing failed and got hot enough to melt the plastic. I flushed the system thoroughly before I installed the new pump, but saw almost no plastic pieces. Most of it fell out when I removed the pump. I appreciate the congratulations. Hope I'm as successful nailing down the EVAP system problem. Maybe then I'll have enough confidence in it to take a run down to Eugene, about 110 miles south of Portland. A friend of mine down there has a 911SC and wants to see my 986, which he called "a classic." I think he's right about that.

[10/10ths]

Porsche has declared the 986 a “Porsche Classic” and is supporting it inside their “Classic” division.

Keep an eye on your water temps.

It is possible, just saying, that parts of the plastic impeller have broken off and could block your smaller water passages inside your engine.

Good job!

[LoneWolfGal]

Originally Posted by 10/10ths

Porsche has declared the 986 a “Porsche Classic” and is supporting it inside their “Classic” division.

That's good to hear. Now if we could get some of that appreciating-in-value action happening. Our 986s will certainly appreciate, it's just a question of when. I was talking to a 356 owner a while back. He considered his Porsche a wise investment, and talked about it like he was discussing tax-free municipals. He was right. I watched an ultra low-mileage, all-original, garage-queen '63 356 go through Barrett-Jackson for over a hundred grand. So next time you're driving your classic, smile in the knowledge that your well-cared-for 986 might someday add considerably to your net worth.

[tcoradeschi]

Originally Posted by LoneWolfGal

That's good to hear. Now if we could get some of that appreciating-in-value action happening. Our 986s will certainly appreciate, it's just a question of when. I was talking to a 356 owner a while back. He considered his Porsche a wise investment, and talked about it like he was discussing tax-free municipals. He was right. I watched an ultra low-mileage, all-original, garage-queen '63 356 go through Barrett-Jackson for over a hundred grand. So next time you're driving your classic, smile in the knowledge that your well-cared-for 986 might someday add considerably to your net worth.

That’s not bloody likely, at least not in my lifetime (I’m 64, so figure at least another 25-30 years). Boxster are too numerous, too durable and too pedestrian to become rare, which is the only reason that value increases in the automotive world. IMO.

[LoneWolfGal]

Originally Posted by tcoradeschi

That’s not bloody likely, at least not in my lifetime (I’m 64, so figure at least another 25-30 years). Boxster are too numerous, too durable and too pedestrian to become rare, which is the only reason that value increases in the automotive world. IMO.

My tongue was firmly in my cheek when I typed the closing sentence. All the same, I wouldn't bet my life it's completely wrong.