I just replaced a 20 year old waterpump... - 986 Forum

pilut2 · 10-12-2019, 06:06 AM

I finally got around to my waterpump, low temp thermostat and coolant service after 5 years of ownership . The pump which was original was absolutely perfect- spinning freely and all of the vanes were just like new. I should’ve taken a picture of the old and new side by side- they were hard to tell apart. Granted, my car has only 42,000 miles on it, but I can’t help but challenge the belief that the pump can time out before it miles out.

This is the first waterpump that I have ever changed - it was a fiddley but not particularly difficult job.

Ciao · 10-12-2019, 07:59 AM

Good feedback. I have 41K miles on mine and will not worry about water pump

Starter986 · 10-12-2019, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilut2

I finally got around to my waterpump, low temp thermostat and coolant service after 5 years of ownership . The pump which was original was absolutely perfect- spinning freely and all of the vanes were just like new. I should’ve taken a picture of the old and new side by side- they were hard to tell apart. Granted, my car has only 42,000 miles on it, but I can’t help but challenge the belief that the pump can time out before it miles out.

This is the first waterpump that I have ever changed - it was a fiddley but not particularly difficult job.

Congrats on the install! You saved some serious quid doing your own labor? What are you going to spend it on??

Gilles · 10-12-2019, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ciao

Good feedback. I have 41K miles on mine and will not worry about water pump

Ciao, I believe that Porsche recommends replacing the water pump at 40k, it's actually not too expensive

piper6909 · 10-12-2019, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilles

Ciao, I believe that Porsche recommends replacing the water pump at 40k, it's actually not too expensive

I replaced mine at 92K, once I noticed a tiny bit of play in the pulley when I changed the serp belt. I'm sure it wasn't done before because the gasket was not cut. The vanes were all intact, as well.

pilut2 · 10-12-2019, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilles

Ciao, I believe that Porsche recommends replacing the water pump at 40k, it's actually not too expensive

I’m glad I did mine - but seriously 40k! Why should that be necessary? We had a Honda that went to its grave with the original pump at 335,000 Kms. The car was still going strong with only normal maintenance, but met it’s demise after an encounter with a light pole.
Is Porsche using poor quality parts, or is the pump unusually stressed compared to “normal” cars?

The only other vehicle that I have ever had to do a water pump in 30 years of vehicle ownership was a GMC Acadia (the last GM that I will ever own). The pump went at 40,000 miles- I thought at the time that was pathetic.

BoxsterSteve · 10-12-2019, 05:27 PM

@pilut2...

I swapped mine out a couple of years ago and you’re right about the water pump and thermostat being a fiddly but relatively easy DIY.
Good on you not spending hundreds on labor.
These cars really aren’t that difficult to work on and maintain.

blue62 · 10-12-2019, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilut2

I finally got around to my waterpump, low temp thermostat and coolant service after 5 years of ownership . The pump which was original was absolutely perfect- spinning freely and all of the vanes were just like new. I should’ve taken a picture of the old and new side by side- they were hard to tell apart. Granted, my car has only 42,000 miles on it, but I can’t help but challenge the belief that the pump can time out before it miles out.

This is the first waterpump that I have ever changed - it was a fiddley but not particularly difficult job.

Why did you go to a low temp thermostat??
What temp thermostat did you go to????

99Roadster · 10-13-2019, 04:15 AM

I've got a little over 40,000 miles myself so this makes me feel a lot better about my waterpump.

And yeah congrats on doing it yourself....Before I bought mine(My first Porsche)I had doubts about the IMSB thing and working on a mid engine car but after being on this forum and reading about people doing their own work on these cars makes me realize I made the right decision to buy my little roadster.

pilut2 · 10-13-2019, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue62

Why did you go to a low temp thermostat??
What temp thermostat did you go to????

I went with the 160 degree thermostat after plenty of research on this forum and elsewhere.

Rob175 · 10-14-2019, 06:28 AM

A month ago I had my 20 year old (1998) water pump replaced due to a slow but persistent leak that wasn't getting any better. One week after that, I had to replace my 20 year old coolant holding tank in the rear trunk. It was leaking from "spider cracks" on the underside of the tank that weren't visible. As the cooling system would come up to temperature and pressurize the "spider cracks" would weep coolant and that liquid would accumulate under the rear trunks raised flooring. Eventually the coolant would find its way to the garage floor a few drops at a time........but that too would only get worse, so I had the tank replaced too. Since I'm not a DIY person I paid for the work.......all in for both I spent about $1,900. Not cheap but since the car hasn't needed repairs for the last 15 years I consider I got off easy.

BruceH · 10-14-2019, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob175

A month ago I had my 20 year old (1998) water pump replaced due to a slow but persistent leak that wasn't getting any better. One week after that, I had to replace my 20 year old coolant holding tank in the rear trunk. It was leaking from "spider cracks" on the underside of the tank that weren't visible. As the cooling system would come up to temperature and pressurize the "spider cracks" would weep coolant and that liquid would accumulate under the rear trunks raised flooring. Eventually the coolant would find its way to the garage floor a few drops at a time........but that too would only get worse, so I had the tank replaced too. Since I'm not a DIY person I paid for the work.......all in for both I spent about $1,900. Not cheap but since the car hasn't needed repairs for the last 15 years I consider I got off easy.

Well, that’s timely information. My 18 year old tank is beginning to do the same thing I believe. I haven’t taken a real close look but I am getting some drops occasionally on the garage floor. After years of reading what a pain it is to replace the tank, I may take it in to have my Indy do it along with a new water pump, time for that too.

pilot4fn · 10-14-2019, 11:44 AM

Hmmmmm. I have the new waterpump and low temp thermostat already at home. I'm planning to change those in a couple of weeks.
Now this coolant reservoir tank is getting me worried since the car is 2001 model 986.

If the coolant tank is leaking in to the trunk, is there a best place to look for the leak from the trunk - where the coolant would find it self if there is a small leak?

NewArt · 10-14-2019, 12:50 PM

Check under the carpet/liner in the trunk near the tank for wetness.
Replacing the tank with an original Porsche part is recommended. Aftermarket tanks have often proved to be unreliable; you don't want to do the job twice!
DIY tips and videos abound. You might want to tackle this job, it's not as daunting as many make you believe!

blue62 · 10-14-2019, 03:57 PM

I am still curious as to why people go to a lower temp. thermostat when they change the water pump.????
Are they tracking the car???

pilut2 · 10-14-2019, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue62

I am still curious as to why people go to a lower temp. thermostat when they change the water pump.????
Are they tracking the car???

Search this forum or google it. There is a ton written on the subject. The goal is to help your engine to run cooler.

blue62 · 10-14-2019, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilut2

Search this forum or google it. There is a ton written on the subject. The goal is to help your engine to run cooler.

The system is designed to run within a certain temperature range.
Are you saying you go to a lower temp thermostat to stay within that range??
Or do you go to the lower temp thermostat to run the engine cooler then that range?????

dghii · 10-14-2019, 06:05 PM

I did a WP a few years back on by 2000S at 122K miles when I noticed a slight leak from the area. When I removed the carpet and panel to exposed the front of the motor, I started the car and could see a slight mist coming from the WP. During the removal, I noticed that one of the WP bolts in the area of the leak was loose. Given the the torque spec is 7 lb-ft, I wasn't sure if that was the issue or not, and given I had a new OEM pump and thermostat (and that this was the original WP) I when ahead with the replacement. Inspection of the original pump after removal showed a pump with no play in the bearing and the impeller looked like new.
Most likely was a loose fastener. Oh well.

pilut2 · 10-15-2019, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue62

The system is designed to run within a certain temperature range.
Are you saying you go to a lower temp thermostat to stay within that range??
Or do you go to the lower temp thermostat to run the engine cooler then that range?????

Ok- so you don't want to do the research.... I'm not an expert, but those who are explain that the stock thermostat starts opening at about 186 F and is fully open by 210 F- whereas the low temp version starts opening at 160 F and is fully open by about 185 F. This results in lower operating temperatures- oil and coolant- for more most driving conditions.

Starter986 · 10-15-2019, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilut2

Ok- so you don't want to do the research.... I'm not an expert, but those who are explain that the stock thermostat starts opening at about 186 F and is fully open by 210 F- whereas the low temp version starts opening at 160 F and is fully open by about 185 F. This results in lower operating temperatures- oil and coolant- for more most driving conditions.

I'm no expert, either.

Yes, with the lower temp thermo it opens at a lower temp... but it keeps getting hotter until it reaches operating temperature. The low temp thermo does not cause the engine to run cooler.

So "This results in lower operating temperatures" is incorrect.

I installed the low temp thermo and my operating temps have remained unchanged.