08 BS water pump and overheat damage?

Was giving her a good push to redline and heard a pop from the engine compartment, over to my right side. Immediately got a battery charge error in dash and noticed power steering was gone. Pulled over into a parking lot to run an OBD scan and nothing appeared. Decided to go straight back home, and drove about a mile back to her parking spot. On the way back, noticed the coolant temp rising slowly; decided to continue on as I was pretty close to home. As I pulled in, I just reached the yellow spot for temp, and warning for overheat turned on right as I parked and turned the engine off. After searching, found what the possible issue is and read all the recommendations of not going any further. Is it possible that I did any damage if it was a short drive and just hit the overheat as I pulled in? I'm worrying and kicking myself for not just getting it towed. I've had it for 4 months and this happened...

Hmm... serpentine belt or just water pump failure? Not an expert... Based on your story I don't think that you did any damage, but first fix the issue and run it again.

Serpentine belt for sure. It runs the alternator, water pump, and power steering pump - all of the items that failed on you. It's no surprised that the engine heated up since the water pump wasn't running, but I doubt there was any damage. You were smart to only run it a short distance, and since it was just reaching red when you turned it off you're most likely fine. Get the belt replaced (a simple inexpensive job) and you'll be good to go!

If it was just the belt look at why it let loose. Is there a bad pulley? If the belt broke due to old age it probably would be wise to replace the idlers and tensioners as well.

Thanks for the insight! I assume it was the pully from the water pump as I heard something plink then roll off into the distance while driving back haha. All I could do was giggle about hearing a piece of my engine saying good bye. But that would also cause the rest of the accessories to stop working, no? I'll pull the access panel before I order parts, but I'm about to pull the trigger on a pierburg unit, belts, lower temp thermostat, do a coolant flush, oil change and hopefully my Soul headers come in the next week or two so I can do it all at the same time. Should be in perfect shape just as winter hits. Any recommendations on any other "while I'm down there" maintenance? It's got 38k miles on it, so I'd imagine things should be relatively good?

Thanks for that info. Hoping I don't have to replace the tensioner/idlers. I'll hopefully have her opened up tomorrow to see what exactly went. I'm assuming it was the pump pully, .. Either way, replacing the belt is 100% happening. Do you know where I can find a picture for the belt/accessory path?

While u are in there change the UDP to slow down the accessories. Good upgrade

I believe the above is the 987.2 engine. Here is for 987.1 .

Opened the access panel and was honestly surprised and relieved that the water pump pully was still on. With how loud the pop was, I thought something sheared/got tossed off. I tested all of the different pulleys and none of them seemed to have any play whatsoever, and all rotated freely. The belt is obviously shot. The question is whether something caused the belt to rip apart, or if there was a fracture that grew till it popped. Honestly, the rest of the belt looked perfect, no cracks anywhere else on the belt. As I was pulling the belt out, this stamped piece came with it. Any idea where it could be from? It's looking like the next course of action is to replace belt, tensioner and idler as Oachs83 suggested. I'm a newbie to wrenching on a car (though I do have some wrenching/maintenance experience on equipment) not to mention working on a Porsche... I would appreciate any input or insight on what to look for to ensure I'm making the correct steps forward, and not making a dumbass mistake. Thanks for all the suggestions so far!

Looking at this diagram looks like maybe part of the idler next to the tensioner pulled off?

Your idler pulley is shelled, it should be larger than that (the pulley about the 10 o clock position from the crankshaft pulley the green arrow). That’s the noise you heard and also what you heard fall out like plinko. What you are seeing is just the bearing is all that’s left. The bearing is pressed into the pulley. Replace your two idlers and your tensioner. Silver lining it’s not your water pump. Here is what your pulleys should look like.

Thanks for the information! Just looked up that pelican parts article, very helpful. What I didn't see is if I should replace both the tensioner and the tensioner pulley, or just the tensioner pulley? I also see there is an upper and lower idler pulley that are different part numbers. Is there a brand that can be recommended as being superior/inferior, or should I just bite the cost difference and go OE Porsche? I tend to overthink and over analyze even the most minute details, so thanks for the help and answering my questions. I just want to make sure I'm putting the best items on without spending unnecessary extra $$$, but if OE is the best choice then I'll do that.

Unless it’s a known design flaw *cough clutch cables *cough and not a performance add on I stick with OEM as you always get the proper fit. Yes go with both idlers and tensioner. If this one let loose the others could be right behind them and next time you may not be so close to home. I personally have not looked into pulleys yet as I got another 10/15k til I worry about replacing mine but maybe someone else can chime in about the quality of aftermarket? I wonder if you look around under the engine from inside the car you would find your pulley lying on top the splash guard?

I believe in this instance, aftermarket is on a par with OEM (probably the same supplier). I'm about to replace the belt and rollers on my '08 Cayman S as well. Check around at the various online outlets for Porsche parts: Pelican Parts, Autohaus, ECS; they are all using the same Continental belt as well as rollers. Your main choice is whether you replace the entire tensioner assy or just the tensioner roller. Be sure to specify whether you have the M6 or Tiptronic transmission.

I may not be understanding you correctly or I did not verbalize properly. Looking at Pelican Parts and the other suppliers, they show the tensioner assembly being 3 pieces, and all sold separately. There is the tensioner pulley, tensioner lever, and the tensioner (which bolts to the engine, then tensioner pulley bolts to it). I'll just wind up replacing the whole thing just to be safe. The tensioner is an extra $70, so I'm figuring might as well do that. Adds a few minutes, but at least its a new part and a "while I'm there" situation.

Well, doing some research on how to replace the tensioner assembly, and think I'm going to do just the pulley for now. There is a lot of stuff in the way to get that portion done

I meant change the three pulleys (bearings). The wheel portion of the tensioner, the upper, lower idler

Thats the beauty of technology these days: can talk to a knowledgeable person anywhere in the world at any time, and completely misunderstand them at the same time Appreciate your help. Got the pulleys on order and excited to get her back on the road, just in time store her for winter. At least she'll be ready for spring.