I heard a "thud" behind me...
 

A few minutes into my Sunday morning drive doing about 68 mph, I hear a "pop" or a "thud" behind the firewall. My first thought was oh crap and I was right. The "battery" light lit up on the dash and then 5 minutes later the abs light lit up. I then proceeded to head home keeping the speed at about 60 mph. Luckily I was only a couple of miles from home, but I noticed the temp gauge creep up and my power steering was slowly going away.

I pulled into my garage and removed the firewall. See photos. My waterpump pulley fell off and lodge itself right under the spindle thus throwing off any possibility that the serpentine belt could do its job.

My 2001 has 91K miles and the waterpump was on my next diy for the new year.

Questions:

1. The temp needle did hit the 250 degree mark for at least 1-2 minutes. Besides the water pump replacement, should I check anything else?

2. Do I have to use a genuine Porsche water pump or can I get an OEM substitute?

3. Is this a good time to install a low temp thermostat? I read somewhere that it might boost horsepower.

Obviously I can't drive it until it is fixed. This will be my biggest project on this car thus far so I am a bit nervous.

Thank you all. I live in Southern California so if you happen to be in the area and itching to lend a hand please let me know!

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1. The temp needle did hit the 250 degree mark for at least 1-2 minutes. Besides the water pump replacement, should I check anything else?

Do a quick check of the oil just in case a head gasket blew from the high temp. If the oil looks normal, you're fine. If its milky or frothy, you have a problem. Most likely the oil will look fine and the engine will be fine.

2. Do I have to use a genuine Porsche water pump or can I get an OEM substitute?

Do a search. This is been discussed quite a bit.

3. Is this a good time to install a low temp thermostat? I read somewhere that it might boost horsepower.

Yes, good time to install the lower temp thermostat. No, it won't boost horsepower (at least not in any amount that will matter) but now is also the time to install a underdrive pulley which will increase horsepower. Do a search on under drive pulley or UDP and you'll find lots of discussion.

Just to add on Thstone.
It will be a good opportunity to replace the front engine mounts if needed.
Also inspect the hoses next to the pump. Make sure they are not damaged by the flying pulley. Its recommend to Use only the OEM pump and coolant. (saved you some reading :D)

Greenheckler,

Los Angeles is a BIG area, if you can be more specific about where you live, is most likely for someone to volunteer... ;)

Also, as someone already mentioned, this would be a perfect time to replace the front engine mount as well

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Replace the serp belt, too.

Thanks to everyone for their feedback.

Gilles - Point taken. I am in Irvine by the 405 fwy and Culver.

Should the entire mount be replaced or just the rubber bushing? I noticed Pelican sells the entire assembly and I noticed other vendors selling just the bushing part for significantly less.

I ordered a Genuine P-car waterpump from Sunset imports and plan to get the thermostat and gasket from Pelican.

Greenheckle,

You will need a small press to remove and install the new bushing.

Remember that you will also require the P coolant and perhaps the accessory belt, in the past I have order from Rector Porsche and their website have "very good prices" they are in CA so shipping takes a couple of days (so CA tax...)

I drive to Irvine everyday, and I will be off for the next couple of weeks if you need a hand one of these days just let me know.

Regards, Gilles

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+1 on doing the smaller underdrive pulley (requires a shorter belt, btw) AND the front motor mount. You'll notice a nice bump in HP from your butt dyno and the front motor mount swap will make shifting easier as well as eliminate any annoying vibration you get at 3000 rpm or thereabouts.

I just had these things replaced on my car along with a low temp thermostat and a new water pump (old one looked and worked fine, but it was at the right age for a failure) and I'm very pleased with the results.

Do note that installing the smaller underdrive pulley will require you to grind off part of a positioning race on the engine block that gets in the way of the smaller pulley.

Not bad. My 2001 water pump went at 56K

Coolant hose removal
 

Thanks Gilles, I will let you know when I raise the white flag.

How do I remove the stuck coolant hoses to the thermostat and the waterpump?

Part of me thinks I should just slit them with a knife, but I'm thinking maybe they can be reused. I tried using a flat head screw driver to prop the ends and then used a wrench to twist it.