The most likely failure in my 2001 Box base...
 

I think is the water pump. The car is now 13 years old and has 40k miles on it. I would like to know how many of you have premptively replaced the water pump even though it was running fine? Don't know how to set up a survey but would like to know if you replaced it premptively or just took your chances and not replaced it?

It was the first thing I did when I bought mine. My 02 had 80,000 miles, and there was no proof it had ever been changed so I had to assume it was original to the car. It wasn't making any noise or running hot, but I went ahead and replaced it anyway along with a low temp thermostat.

General wisdom is to replace the water pump preemptively every 4 years or 50k miles or so. If the pump goes, the plastic vanes can crack off and clog the coolant passages leading to localized overheating and a cracked head.

^ That. Replace it. the downside is HUGE, and the cost is minimal.

And just FYI, for those of you that don't know - if your battery light comes on, turn off your engine IMMEDIATELY! Chances are, your waterpump shaft broke and the belt fell off. You are literally 2 minutes from a baked engine...

Waterpumps are like timing belts... its a wear item, replacing it is not a bad idea at this time and mileage.

Nope. Will replace upon failure. 116K miles. Bought the car with 76K miles and don't know if pump had been replaced previously or not.

If I had a long daily commute or planned a long trip, I might consider a replacement.

Whats the symptom?
If it has shed impeller blades that are not accounted for, you have a bigger problem waiting down the road...

I don't know what to think about this. I replaced mine because of all the dire warnings, but when I pulled it off at about 120000 km (MY 99) it was in perfect condition and probably had a few more years left in it. Seems to me I spent a few hundred bucks for nothing. I'm thinking that sometimes we let our paranoia and the fear-mongers drive us to go overboard on this preventative maintenance thing.

I've never done this on previous vehicles I've owned. When things broke, I fixed them. I never went looking for things to replace because they might break someday. I think I need to get back to that mindset.

Mine is 14 years old now, 43k, '00S. I have all records from new and the water pump has not been replaced. I do worry about it. I may look into it this spring.

Prememptively, but if literally failed before I could get to the shop the following morning. Murphy's law.

Replacing things that can lead to major disaster is good for the airline industry so good for my Boxster too.

So you gotta ask your self, "Do I feel lucky"! :chicken:

I've seen these water pumps go from "perfect" to failed in about 3 month's time. Preventive WP changes are never wasted money, they are better than a reactionary issue that STARTS at 10K to repair, IF you can find anyone who is willing to sort through the nightmare without just saying "you need a new engine".

I have 8 cars here with cracked heads now and resultant intermix, with one more arriving today. Those people would have paid good money to know about the issue that bit them silently.

The main reason for pump failure is people never flush their coolant and the Ph levels kill the impeller blades.

Which one do you recommend?
I see different pumps on Ebay or Pelican.

^ there you go. game set, match.


Now I don't feel so bad for having done a flush figuring 10 years was way too long for that to be sitting pretty, and despite reading somewhere that these flushes were unecessary in the 986/996.
I got another 20-25K miles out of the pump after that flush and the blades were intact when the unit itself finally let go at 85K miles.

Really?
Like falling out of the sky???

I'm talking about replacing parts after x number of hours/miles regardless of condition. One reason why flying is the safest mode of travel.

So these water pumps don't leak or squeak or show any signs of imminent failure?
Its just BANG and it roaches your motor in an instant?

Right, because if the plane dies out while in the air it falls from the sky.
If a car dies out on the road you pull over.

People just want to stick a key in, and drive... They want to fix any issue with a keyboard.

Good luck with that.

What does Jake Raby stand to gain by exaggerating?

I'm still appalled by the life of the replacement pumps.
I realize that we are probably only hearing about those that fail early, but 5-10k miles on the replacement pump before failure is absolutely unacceptable. Stock pump, 86k, and I don't lose any sleep. I'd like to replace it, but would like one that will last more than 10k miles. :rolleyes:

Now now Woody, let's not be sarcastic :D

Jake is better off if we don't replace our water pumps, the engine damage from a water pump failure is a major rebuild. His business is better off if he doesn't tell us about water pump failure damage.

FWIW, I replaced the water pump preemptively on my '99 and had a low temperature thermostat installed at the same time. I had it done a few years back at about 60k. I don't regret having it done one bit.

I had several less serious aging parts fail on my like window regulators, AOS, and coolant reservoir. I figured the water pump was nearing next on the list of bad jokes that my aging Boxster might play on me, so I beat it to the punchline.

I have replaced twice, first at ~204,000 miles it started to leak, there was no damage to the impeller. Second time was at ~245,000 miles it started making noise, discovered the pump I installed was not Porsche but advertised as OEM (LASO)... Lesson learned.

Thats right...

And on top of that we don't sell ANY parts, so its not like I am trying to sell someone something they don't need.

I am done helping, fellas. Pulling the rest of the pre failure directives off the site this weekend and I'll just sit back and wait for the phone to ring.

You can lead a human to knowledge, but you can't make them think.

Ahh, but Jake, doesn't your "I am done helping fellas" action sound like defetism - just because the 1%ers keeps throwing their unprofessional opinions around like red herrings?
Don't forget the other 99%ers on the Forum still bat in your court and I'm willing to bet every one of them appreciate your expertise when it comes to the M96 debate......

Its just not worth it. The 1% ruins it for everyone else.

You should have done a better job of policing yourselves by locking these people on.

Raby-out.

Why do I feel like I missed an episode? :confused:

I just asked a legit question...I never said he was exaggerating
Im not new to cas, not new to sports cars. Every car Ive owned the water pump gives SOME indication of impending doom.
People on this board have described their water pump as leaking, making noise, etc., so I am just trying to clarify. Im not sure why P cars design a water pump that without any indication just blows out and grenades the engine along with it.
Does the engine ALWAYS get grenaded, or only if the vanes break and clog water passages?

Jack, I have come to the cynical realization in my old age that in every aspect of human society, its that 1% that seem to make us feel it's (what ever it might be) not worth it.
Even when the other 99% applaud and appreciate the effort, the struggle and especially share in the passion

This forum is worth it with contributors such as your self and others with the know how, insight and shared passion

I say that any OP should be banned for life for asking opinions! That'll teach everyone for having differences of opinions.

I respect and appreciate the expertise and experience of all on the board. Thank you.

I must have missed something too. J_R is one of my favorite people to read here... short and to the point.
Not sure why he's packing up his toys and going home.:confused:

I don't get it ? One of the most educated engine experts on the M96 engine provided his opinion based on real life failures and some want to jump on him for that opinion ? Like anything else get educated and make the decision for yourself. In this particular example we're talking water pumps but it can easily be AOS or RMS or ??? When I took my motorcycle license test they stressed how much risk are you willing to assume ? No different when talking high end performance cars regardless of brands. Go look at Benz or BMW forums and you see the same discussions taking place. Leave your water pump in for 100k with zero maint. some will have success some will have failures that will cost 10k plus to repair........how much risk are you willing to assume ? To be fair I will tell you my 2002 S is currently at Jake's for........... a cracked head so I have a vested interest in his expertise :D
Jake can stand on his own merits he doesn't need me to be a cheerleader, but I've been on this planet long enough to figure out who's a keyboard hero and who has REAL expertise. Don't forget the 24 Hours of Daytona starts today......go Porsche :cheers:

Untwist your underwear, bro.

Some car owner decides he is going to play the wait and see game, with his own car, and doesn't feel the need to swap a working part, and you quit helping others?

If you're sick of helping or typing the same advise, fine, but don't get all pissy to other members for "not policing ourselves" and take all your smarts away. Makes you sound way less professional than I am sure you are. When my customers don't listen, I make good money and I certainly don't shame them for it. They had an option and a professional opinion to go by. It's their buildings, and likewise, it's their cars. Go back, and tell us how exactly to "police ourselves" into forcing a member into taking your (good) advise. Or should we have shamed him away or voted him off since he refused this advise?

No one said you were some douchebag trying to sell water pumps. I must have missed the part where he said you were full of **************** and that pump would last forever and only an idiot or someone with something to personally gain would recommend a swap of a working part.

Be a better person and don't blame the board / site because you decided you were tired of 1% of a website not running out and taking your advise same day. I too am an expert in my field, and these building's heating systems cost just a tad more than any 986 engine on this site, yet I still get ignored when I suggest routine maintenance.

It's his own choice to make, just like CHANGING A WATER PUMP OR NOT.

Jake I think that you are an excellent designer,engineer and entrepreneur. Unfortunately PR is not your strength. Then hire somebody to take the heat here.
If the 1% give you problems then deal with it.

As the above says 99% of us enjoy your your presence here. Having the IMS Guardian installed in my Box gives me peace of mind. You are the leader in your field
and take some credit for it.
Cheers, Guy.:)

And thank goodness this forum exists all due I believe to Wayne Dempsey. Owning an old Boxster becomes more livable with the excellent members' opinions and help.
If it was not for this forum I would likely have sold my Box and bought a new Toyota Corolla or Subaru!

This forum makes owning an older Porsche a lot more fun. Thanks guys and girls. Everybody's opinions are welcome here. And don't forget the newbies. We were all newbies once.
:)Guy.

In the 944 world it's pretty common practice to replace the waterpump every other timing / balance belt change, some do it every time. But on a 944 a seized waterpump can take out the timing belt and being an interference engine, bad things happen.

My only direct experience with a Boxster waterpump failure on a friends car was that it gave lots of warning - noise, then leaks. In that case I guess the bearing seal failed rather than the impeller.

Recycled60 and Timco have made valid and reasonable points.

The upside of Jake is that he is obviously extremely knowledgeable, willing to help and give advice, and an all-round good guy. He provides resources that we are fortunate to have available to us. I'd ship him my car in a heartbeat (underscoring that we are also a resource to him in the form generating work)

The downside is that he does come across as being a bit full of himself, and he has a tendency to throw little tt's like this when he feels that he is not being shown the level of awe and admiration he feels is his due. That policing comment was way out of line.

But here's the thing. We all have positive and negative aspects to our personalities, and we all have to take the good with the bad when dealing with other people. I personally think that, though a bit irritating from time to time, the benefit we all gain from this great resource is well worth putting up with a couple of minor character flaws. I will freely admit that I'm a quick-tempered, outspoken, cranky bastard and have little patience for those that won't help themselves, but I will bend over backwards for those that have made a good attempt but still need some help, and I am always willing to share what little knowledge I have (plus I'm a helluva great dad/grandad). Good with the bad.

Now, what we're supposed to do now is wring our hands and cry "No Jake, please don't go, we neeeeed you!" so that he can grudgingly agree to give us unworthy mortals one more chance and we can all go back to being good buddies again with everyone's ego intact.

Wadya say?