986 whizzing coolant

[eltren]

Thanks to all!

The 'Box is a '99 with 80k mi.

What is the degree of difficulty to DIY? Time required?

What are the gotchas/related issues?

For example, if i'm in there yanking the pump, what hoses should I be looking at?

Any additional parts/goop needed?

[san rensho]

Originally Posted by eltren

Thanks to all!

The 'Box is a '99 with 80k mi.

What is the degree of difficulty to DIY? Time required?

What are the gotchas/related issues?

For example, if i'm in there yanking the pump, what hoses should I be looking at?

Any additional parts/goop needed?

DIY is not too hard. Be sure to get a Porsche water pump, there are many reports of failures of aftermarket pumps. At the same time that you do the water pump, I would recommend that you do the motor mount, a part that commonly fails on these cars at your mileage. It's not that expensive, a little over $100, and removing the motor mount makes replacing the water pump much easier.

[eltren]

Thanks for the good info.
so...Just guessing: Removing the motor mount requires supporting the engine.

Which ought to be done with a floor jack, maybe some lumber, not a bottle jack.

Right?

Who do you like for parts?

[Frodo]

Pretty good DIY info for both tasks here:

DIY Projects: Do-it-Yourself Repair and Maintenance for your Porsche


It was the water pump? Why's it leaking from the "front central location"?

[eltren]

Havent had a chance to get under the car. In fact right now I can't...I don't (yet)
own the necessaries.

[san rensho]

Originally Posted by eltren

Thanks for the good info.
so...Just guessing: Removing the motor mount requires supporting the engine.

Which ought to be done with a floor jack, maybe some lumber, not a bottle jack.

Right?

Who do you like for parts?

The scissor jack in the car's toolkit works great with a couple of pieces of 2X4 underneath it. Very precisely and easily lowers and raises the motor.

[husker boxster]

Your symptoms match mine when my wp died this summer. Assuming you mean the front, center of the engine, not the car. That's where the antifreeze ran out on mine.

Nows also a good time to change the serpentine belt since you're already in the neighborhood.

[crumbum]

Do you have the equipment to run a vacuum test on the system? I am dealing with this very issue right now.

I put the car up on jack stands and found a leak right under the water pump. I initially thought it was the gasket. I replaced the gasket and reinstalled the water pump.

By this time the Airlift system arrived and I could apply the vacuum. There was a clear whistling sound right at the water pump. I took a turkey baster and squirted coolant in that area. When I hit the pulley, I could hear the coolant being sucked in. The water pump was the culprit.

It was not very difficult to to dismantle and reinstall, but did require some patience to get into the tight spots.

If you can hold a wrench, you can do this. Plus, it will give you some confidence working on your car. After all, this is part of the fun.