Does the new Porsche Waterpump have a Metal Impellar?

Have there been any updated to the Porsche water pumps? My water pump went and I am in the process of pricing out a pump... I've looked at Pelican Parts and ebay, and I will call suncoast and Sunset when they are up... When looking on ebay, one of the sellers claimed that the pump had a metal impellar...Is this an aftermarket pump or do the Porsche pumps now have this aswell? thanks!

I only know of the factory plastic one, but have seen the metal one on ebay.

Do you know anything about the metal one listed on ebay? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-P...spagenameZWDVW Is the porsche one PRONE to failure or is it just the 78k miles I got on her?

Water pumps can go bad just like any other part. In fact, one of the local Boxster owners has his car in the shop this morning because it is leaking. Most of the mechanics I know work for the dealer so they would not know about the metal impeller. I know the oem is plastic because several years ago I was talking to one of the mechanics and he told me it was plastic. I'll have to ask if there is a problem with the plastic impeller. I guess some could say plastic is used to save money, but there could be other reasons. If something goes wrong with the impeller I guess it could damage the engine if it was made of metal.

I had my original water pump that failed on me at 70k miles, I was pretty happy that I got that many miles out of it. It was still working, but just leaking from the shaft seal and making noises. What puzzles me is that the replacement is leaking now only after couple thousand miles. No noise, to wiggle from the pulley, but signs of leaks from the shaft.

Robin, that's disappointing. If it's leaking, the bearing is contaminated and outright failure is just a matter of time. If it's still under a parts warranty (I think I remember reading a DIY you did on that repair) maybe you should just get a new one now while your car is down for the hose repair. This business of plastic impellers is nuts. I've worked on a number of circa 2000 2.0L VW and E46 BMW that used those and they were actually made from molded FRP. You have to take a preventative approach with those and replace the pumps at 60K - 80K miles because the impeller will break down from the temperature exposure and then fracture and fall off the shaft in 3-4 pieces and then you have no water pump - only a temperature gauge that goes immediately to the red. The replacement pumps for those cars all used a steel impeller, either cast or stamped.

I remember my e36 M3's replacement water pump was metal, while the failing factory one was plastic... Plastic is lighter and cheaper so Im sure that is why it is used. Its almost as if it is designed to be a wear item though... A metal impellar is highley unlikely to breka apart though and go through the engine...You would only have to worry about the bearing failing... Right now I have that rattle sound likely from the plastic impellar breaking apart... I am happy that i got to 78k miles on this pump but Im wondering if I will ever have to replace it again. If people aren't getting premature failures than I will just go with the OEM one...

I did receive another pump under warranty, but it is just my time that is wasted on replacing the pump again! FWIW, both pumps came with plastic impellar.

Water pump? Plastic impellars? Do you mean to tell me that my 996 isn't air cooled!!! Damn, I better go and check my coolant level.

Yea and I just had my coolant system flushed and changed 2 weeks ago! GRRR

i wouldnt use a metal impeller pump. The impeller doesnt fail the bearings do this drives the impeller into you case. I have seen plastic impeller s do serious damage to cases I would hate to see what a steel impleller would do to a aluminum case. Having a steel impeller doesnt make anything last longer and may cause you to need a new engine

I just replaced my water pump at 86k and it was metal impeller. I bought an OEM replacement was also come with metal impeller. Jim

Just installed the replacement water pump today along with new coolant hose, everything went back together fairly smooth. Porsche required me to purchase the entire setup on the coolant hose off the water pump since they updated the hose. Cost me $160 buck!!!!! So far so good, it runs no leaks. Went for a test drive.... damn belt just started to fall apart on me, thread coming out on the side. This has not been a good month for cars!!!! Let me see: (1). Two Ferrari F355 that I bought both failed PPI, so now on the serach again (2). Range Rover A/C blower bearing acting up making noise, ABS accumulator pump making noise, Air suspension line cracked (3). 993 Speedo gear broken, speed needle works, but not accumulating miles. New gears on order (4). 996 water pump leaking (5). 996 coolant hose punctured (6). 996 serpentine belt break (7). Wife's BMW valve cover leaking Enough for this month!!!!! What the hell!!!!

A genuine Porsche water pump should not have a metal impeller.

Im waiting for the stupid plastic connection "T" for the coolant breather hose that broke... It should be here today. I have the car all bolted up and ready to fill except for the damn exhaust alignment... Should I replace the hoses? They didnt look to be in bad shape? One towards the passenger side underneath is pretty dirty but Im not trying to make it look like new; it will just get that way in a few days...