My Motor Mount after 26,000 miles

[Chuck W.]

I did some preventive maintenance on my 2001 Boxster S with 26,000 miles on it; water pump, coolant, low temperature thermostat and motor mount. It was the first time in 14 1/2 years of ownership I have address these items.

I did the motor mount only because "while I am in there" not thinking that it would be bad. I also upgraded to the 987 motor mount.

When I removed it I noted that there were some surface cracks on the rubber. But, when I stressed it with a screwdriver I found that the cracks were very deep. Both side of the mount exhibited the same deep cracks.

I also found that the shaft of the water pump had some movement and there was coolant residue under the pulley indicating that it was leaking. It was slight and I hadn't seen any drips on the ground.. yet.

All in all it was a worthwhile project.

[rick3000]

Chuck, great job, and glad to hear the maintenance/repairs went well!

I am about to do the same water pump, low temp. thermostat, and motor mount replacements on my '99. I have not noticed any motor mount related issue, but I can't imagine the rubber is still good after 16 years.

A few questions:
Where you noticing any symptoms of a deteriorating mount before you replaced yours?
Any tips for someone about to do the exact same replacements?
Did you replace the entire motor mount, or just the insert?
If you replaced the insert, how did you press it in/out?

Best,
-Rick

[hancock1701]

If you have any vibration around 3000 RPM, or any loud thunk when you shift, a new motor mount will completely cure those, at least for my case. Big difference in ride comfort (mine had 140k miles).

I bought the insert, but finding a shop that has an adapter big enough for that mount was hard. I finally found a European shop that charged me an hour ($90) to do it. The insert plus shop fee still came out to be cheaper (about $30) than a full new mount, but I had to run around. If I had to do it again, I would just get a full mount.

[RandallNeighbour]

If the mileage and heat don't get the best of that mount's bushing, the age of it will. 14 years is a long time for inferior Porsche rubber bushings.

I'd complain more about the quality of Porsche bushings, but I owned a BMW and they're far worse so I will stop my whining right about now...

[hancock1701]

Originally Posted by rick3000

Any tips for someone about to do the exact same replacements?
Did you replace the entire motor mount, or just the insert?
If you replaced the insert, how did you press it in/out?

Here's a thread where people give some tips on this same repair that you might find helpful.

http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/56114-water-pump-thermostat-engine-mount-diy-remarks.html

[rick3000]

Thanks for the tips hancock, that thread hadn't showed up in any of my searches yet.

Chuck, just realized I kind of hijacked your thread. Sorry about that.

[Chuck W.]

Originally Posted by rick3000

A few questions:
Where you noticing any symptoms of a deteriorating mount before you replaced yours?
Any tips for someone about to do the exact same replacements?
Did you replace the entire motor mount, or just the insert?
If you replaced the insert, how did you press it in/out?

:

Not highjacked at all....

I didn't have any symptoms of the motor mount going bad at all. I am not sure how much longer until I would have.

The above link is a good one. There is a ton of posting out there. What made it much easier for me was my brothers help. He has a tad (a lot) more mechanical ability than me. But, it really is pretty straight forward. The removal of the motor mount and thermostat housing made getting to the water pump a lot easier.

Also, I removed the passenger seat just to make access easier. This probably wasn't necessary but it took little effort to do so. If you do remove the seat don't turn the ignition on or you'll trigger the air bag light.

One mistake I made is I forgot to put the heater on high so my heater core didn't get flushed. I drained and added 14 liters of coolant. The manual states there is 22 liters in the system so I definitely missed some. I even dropped the rear to get the radiators fluid out.

I replaced the entire motor mount with the 987 one. It was $138.62 from Sunset Porsche.

I also bought a Airlift 550000 which helped refilling coolant into the car. I am not sure where you are on the West Coast, but if your in the Los Angeles area you can borrow it for your project.

[ccjazz]

Great info Chuck. much appreciated. My 01S is just over 26k kms and I should get after some of this preventative mtce. I have a good Porsche indy who checks these items yearly but I know that anything involving seals/bushings should be changed out.

[hancock1701]

Originally Posted by Chuck W.

Not highjacked at all....

The removal of the motor mount and thermostat housing made getting to the water pump a lot easier.

Also, I removed the passenger seat just to make access easier. This probably wasn't necessary but it took little effort to do so. If you do remove the seat don't turn the ignition on or you'll trigger the air bag light.

One mistake I made is I forgot to put the heater on high so my heater core didn't get flushed. I drained and added 14 liters of coolant. The manual states there is 22 liters in the system so I definitely missed some. I even dropped the rear to get the radiators fluid out.

I replaced the entire motor mount with the 987 one. It was $138.62 from Sunset Porsche.

Agree on many points. I didn't get the coolant out of the radiators, and didn't use the Airlift, so I had to go back the second time to do it right.

The price you paid is about the same as buying the insert and have it pressed in. Then I would definitely buy the complete mount.

What kind of coolant did you use? I used Prestone.

[rick3000]

Chuck, thank you for the very kind Uview offer, unfortunately no longer in the LA area (for now). Although, I do have the Uview on my wishlist. After my latest repair, and getting my car back with 3 new tiny dents, I decided it's cheaper to buy the tools to DIY, than to continue to pay someone else, plus dent/scratch repair. And I can keep the tools for the rest of my life.

Thanks for the tip on removing the motor mount and thermostat to get more clearance for the water pump, I had not read that anywhere. I am using Porsche OEM coolant, because that is what is in there, and I do not want any possibility of jelling (gelling?).

Also found this guide to completely flush the coolant system with an air compressor Link

[ekam]

26k miles? Wow.

[Chuck W.]

Originally Posted by rick3000

I am using Porsche OEM coolant, [/URL]

Originally Posted by hancock1701

What kind of coolant did you use? I used Prestone.

I also used the Porsche coolant. I ordered everything at one time from Sunset Porsche. The coolant was $27.99 per 3 liter (.79 gallon) bottle. You'll need three 3 liter bottles. The only thing I missed was an aluminum crush washer for the coolant plug (900-123-144-30).

[itsnotanova]

Makes you wonder what else is might be going out?! I'm like you about "while I am in there". I'm adding a third radiator to mine and bought all new coolant hoses for the front half of the car.

[Squozen]

I did the same (water pump and motor mount) about a year ago at around 48,000 kms, and my mount was in a LOT worse shape than yours. I think one side was ripped nearly all the way through. Very glad I replaced it.

[Frodo]

Originally Posted by ekam

26k miles? Wow.

Yeah, that's what I was thinkin'. Mine (same year, same model) just rolled over 80k yesterday. Can't be helped...I drive her pretty much at every opportunity!

[Pdwight]

I didn't know there was a 987 motor mount mod

[Chuck W.]

Originally Posted by Pdwight

I didn't know there was a 987 motor mount mod

From my searches, it appears that it is an improvement over ours. The part number is 987.375.023.05. It was $138.62 at Sunset Porsche.

Originally Posted by ekam

26k miles? Wow.

Originally Posted by Frodo

Yeah, that's what I was thinkin'. Mine (same year, same model) just rolled over 80k yesterday. Can't be helped...I drive her pretty much at every opportunity!

Yeah.... it needs to be driven more. I am working on it.

[itsnotanova]

This is off a 2000 with 52,000.

[ekam]

Originally Posted by Pdwight

I didn't know there was a 987 motor mount mod

It's not a mod. AFAIK 987 mount supersedes the 986 one as you cannot order the old 986 mount anymore from AD.