Water Pump Failures....Common Problem?

I have been reading up on Boxsters/ Caymans on this and another forum and I'm seeing a common trend regarding the Water Pump on the DI engines. It seems that the begin to squeal and are being replaced under warranty. Anyone know if these pump failures can result in damage to the engine other than potentially overheating? Anyone know how many labor hours are required to change the pump? I wonder if Porsche will establish a service bulletin for this.

Mine was replaced under warranty @ about 7000 miles. Its not just DI, mine was a 2010 2.9L. It's not just GenII, I've seen many other models/years posted too. In my case, there never was any overheating, just a progressively more frequent and louder squeal after the engine warmed-up. Only squealed at dead idle. I went about a month before taking it in for service. Never had any coolant loss or smell. I have the work-order at home, I don't remember how many hours were charged. Since it required draining off coolant, a good bit of the time was probably spent purging/bleeding the system afterwards. I've put another 6K miles on it and all seems good. I suspect Porsche got a bad supply of pumps from a supplier. I couldn't quickly find the part #. Anyone know if Gen2 B/C and BS/SC use the same one? And if Gen1 and Gen2 are the same? It seems to be a chronic issue for all 987s. At least, it happens more frequently than would be expected.

My ' 06 Cayman S , 26k miles , driving on I 75 started squealing, smell of antifreeze came into cabin , looked rear view mirror, dumping fluid, stopped at a rest stop, no increase in temp, towed to the dealer, replaced pump. this happened 2 years ago. Last car I have owned before thisone with water pump failure, was a 1978 Pontiac Grand Prix. Owned 4 Boxsters before this Cayman , with no water pump failures. Cheers

No water pump failures here... Hey just trying to add some statistics in the other direction....

Yah, we need to keep it in perspective. It may only be one in 100, or one in 20. Who knows? You never hear about the ones that don't fail. Still, it's something to be aware of. I think we all on this board might be a little sensitive to unusual sounds coming from our babys - other than a screaming wail!!!! Every tick and burp isn't necessarily a problem. But it's good to know what to look out for.

My water pump started a slow leak at about 21K. Replaced under CPO warranty. When I first got the Cayman the independent mechanic I used for a compression check asked if the water pump had gone out yet. This lead me to look at it and see the trail of dried coolant coming from behind the water pump pulley. So much for the 111 point CPO inspection. It is a game of chance. Followup: The CPO just treated the car to a new water pump(#2). It was oozing coolant. I spoke with LN Engineering hoping to find a source for a more robust pump. They told me there weren't any but to plan on changing it preemptively every four years.

What are the symptoms of a faulty water pump?

Keeping perspective is important but it does seem to be a common issue. I'm a total newb when it comes to the 987 and I'm trying to learn more about it. I've read some of the sticky's already but I didn't see anything about this issue. I plan on keeping the Spyder so the more I know up front the better. I'm not as much concerned that the water pump can be a problem, my biggest concern is that it doesn't harm the engine in the process. I haven't had a chance to review PET to determine how the water pump is installed. Is it seperated from the engine and doe it run off of belts or electrically? My previous experience is with the 928, a water pump failure in the 928 could result in overheating (no big deal), engine block damage (pump impeller contacts block) or catastrophich failure where the pump binds and results in bent engine valves. Needless to say it was something that was monitored closely by owners to prevent major damage. My goal isn't to cause a stir, simply trying to learn.

Unusual problems , whose frequency of occurrence tend to be exaggerated in forums like this because anybody that has had a problem chimes in, however most people, (thousands ) , that have not had problems bypass the thread or simply don't say anything because they have nothing to say. Except of course for the "K man". Cheers

I had a pulley fail at about 70K miles. Cost to replace all 3 and labor $450. I would suggest replacing the pulleys at your 60K major service. Alot cheaper than being left on the side of the road or missing a DE in my case.

'08 CS pump was replaced at 20K, half days work and no charge. mine actually leaked at 13-14k but sealed it self and then replaced as noted above. a hiccup.... car drives better each day I think. I mean it heals itself, what else do yo need from a car?

I am having a hard time visualizing a pulley failure. Is it a belt tensioner? In my mind I am seeing a water pump or alternator pulley, which by itself wouldn't likely ever fail. Of course, the shaft it is driving, or is being driven from, can fail due to bearing failure. But that is a separate component than the pulley. So what am I missing?

My pump shows signs of a small leak discovered at 26k. Will replace after the extended warranty grace period is met.

In my case, a slightly lower coolant level, but nothing crazy, and a slight knocking sound coming from the front/underside of the engine.

My 2010 Cayman just experienced water pump failure at 3,700 miles - at the dealer as I type. Funny thing was I was driving to dealer for 1st oil service and to have new clunking sound in back hatch looked at when it started whining/whistling. First time in my life a noise actually *started* on the way to the dealer instead of going silent when I got there!

Had this happen to my 2010 Cayman S 3 times before they could figured out it was the water pump. First time it was at around 3,000 miles. By the time I hit 6,500 I traded it in for a 2011 911S . Still think Caymans are great cars and may own another one some day however I do love my 911 and will always keep it regardless of what else I add. I agree with the post that said it was more than likely just a bad shipment of bad water pumps. Porsche is great about standing behind their product so I would not worry to much about it.

Water pump replaced under warranty at around 30K ( 2007 Cayman S ) A collegue of mine also had to replace his water pump at his expense at around 44K. ( 2007 Cayman S )

Water pump out of warranty @ 35000 mi on 2006 CS. $800 Talked to my mechanic (independent) about what problems they see on Caymans : He said they only have 6 or so regular Cayman customers, All had either the coolant tank or the Water pumps go, or both... Went to test drive a 2006 997S this w/e for a friend: he just had had a water pump done @ 30000 mi. So based on that smallish statistical sample, I'd say water pumps are not the best feature of that car. Then again I'll take that over a RMS or a blown up engine any day ;-)

had mine go out about a month before warranty was up. got lucky there.... 2007 cayman 2.7 and had around 29000 k @ the time

70k Km on the Odometer and mine gave up last night luckily while warmed up in my Parking. Its a 2006 Cayman S . I had engine noise(sounded like Valves ticking) for about a week and suddenly noise went away and then coolant fluid was leaking.

Had my water pump go out on me about a month ago. I was out of town visiting some family and my car was my only way of getting back home. I had to have a new pump shipped overnight and installed at one of the local Porsche dealerships. Cost me around $850 for parts and installation.

I had my water pump fail somewhat catastrophically on my 911 C4 about 1 mile from the Pocono DE event I was TRYING to attend last weekend. Cost $830 at the dealer to fix, including 2 gal of Porsche coolant at $42/gal. I also lost my track fee, insurance, a night at a hotel. It also cost me $407 to get towed back to Jersey. I only have 15K miles on the car and, of course, the warranty ended last month! @#$%*!

Mine failed on the dealer who sold me the car, he had to replace it just before delivery. 57k miles '06 CS.

Mine failed at 27,000 miles. I have a 2007 CS. The bearing started to make a faint noise. No leaks. I replaced it along with a BBI under-drive pulley, a LN Engineering 160 degree thermostat, coolant and a new belt. I could feel the failed bearing by turning the pump by hand. Beverly Hills Porsche said water pump failures are very common on 987.1 cars. They quoted $850 for the pump, new coolant and labor. Their hourly rate is $175. Goby

PSA: guys/gals, just got told by my dealer service tech ( porsche exchange) that there is a recall for Fuel pumps, at least for Gen II S cars (which mine is). I took my car in for an unrelated issue (separate post) and was just moments ago advised of the recall. just wanted to share. recall letters are not even in the mail yet because the tech said the recall came in this morning. EDIT 7/13/11: The recall is for Gen II fuel pumps, confirmed.

My waterpump was leaking water and was replaced today $650. I consider it normal wear and tear at 83,000.

Mileage 38500 on 2007 base, in last month noticed another sound that someone could think was the lifter noise and also a very subtle drone, both were engine noise. I took it to the dealer this morning, and was told it was the water pump, covered by CPO. Shortly after buying I had put 64oz of coolant in, after it had been CPOed, and took it to dealer, told that was normal and it was probably full, just going out the overflow.

I have a 2006 cayman s with 73,000 miles. The water pump has been replaced twice - one at 50,000 miles under warranty, the second one at 72,000 ( Porsche picked 50%). Also had to replace the cooling unit. Also, had an engine problem at 65,000. $5,500 repair bill - Porsche picked up 50%. I am discouraged because I felt porsches were very well made but they must be cutting costs on their parts.

Ouch . . . what kind of engine problem?

I've blown trannys in pretty much every car I've driven, a turbo or two (and lots of brakes). It's not "normal" to replace water pumps. I've owned BMW's, Mercedes, Audi, Supra Turbo etc... I've never had to replace a water pump.

On American Cars from a different era not so uncommon to replace water pumps, but on foreign cars only time I have replaced water pumps, was when replacing timing belt, did it as preventive maintenance, since you don't have to replace timing belt on Cayman I guess water pump replacement will be more common as a failure.

Huh, BMWs? Ever read Mike Miller in Roundel and Bimmer? 50,000 miles on modern BMWs (6 cylinders at least) is the expected life of the entire cooling system. Expansion tank, water pump, and radiator, although, some push the radiator to 90,000 miles, but might as well do it when you do the other because it becomes the weak link in the system. The water pump impellers on BMWs have been made of plastic and simply self destruct; Stewart makes one that is a very popular replacement. My 01 330ci had the expansion tank go at 51,000 miles and replaced everthing then inlcluding using the Stewart pump (luckily it happened just as my wife pulled into the driveway and no engine damage), and on my 03 wagon (which I still have) I replaced everything at 50,000 before anything failed. Count on about $2000.......................... What bugs me is that Porsche has no interest in changing the coolant. After 5 years I am going to have them do it anyway this fall.

Just wondering why you guys paid so much? Is that the total including installation? Water Pump with Gasket orsche Parts & Porsche Accessories - Wholesale Porsche Parts & Tequipment - Cayman Panamera Cayenn

My 2007 Cayman S , 43K miles, had these same symptoms for a week, then on my way to work last Friday, squealing sounds like belt slipping followed by a fluid spill on the freeway. I pulled over to an offramp and towed it to the dealer. They said the bearing inside the water pump failed and caused the leak and belt squeal. Both parts were replaced under warranty (CPO).