How many water pumps has your 986 been through?
 

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

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.

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

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

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 ;)

43,xxx miles and still working with the original

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.

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!

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.

103K miles, 12 years, original pump

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

Water pump
 

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.

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.

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

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.

Original pump: 130,000
replacement: 10,000

Mine crapped out last week.

2000 base.
3 oem pumps have failed, worm impellers on each.
they have failed like clockwork @ 30,000 mi or 3 years.
so, i'm on pump #4 @ 96,5000 mi.

'04, 55,000mls, original pump

Mine lasted 12 years, with 72,000 miles accumulated before being replaced.

2001 base with 42,000 when the original water pump started to leak. Changed it plus the coolant tank at the same time.