40 captured repliesDiscussion pagination complete · Source accounts, not a confirmed diagnosis
THIS DISCUSSION / SOURCE-DERIVED OVERVIEW
Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHChanged Water Pump today
Leading reported evidence
Replace belt
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
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0
Unsuccessful attempts
1
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Leading evidence: 'Replace belt' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Recommend oem pump or a geba unit' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I've had so many parts replaced other than brakes and tires.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
i changed my serpentine belt along with the water pump.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed · Original poster
As the title says, I changed my water pump today - not because it failed, it was working fine.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I have changed water pumps on very old front engined cars but never on a rear engined car much less a 911.
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Suggestion · Original poster
I changed it because it's 15 years old and had minor crusting AND I had a water pump sitting on my bench for over 4 years from when I previous mechanic tried scamming/scaring/shaming me and trying to get me to change it when it didn't need changing (I later bought one because I figured I would need one at some point and it's better to buy one cheaply over the internet, than pay full price when something has gone wrong).
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Suggestion · Original poster
It's not often that you can count on 1 hand the number of items (beyond tires and brakes) that have needed changing due to failure after almost 15 years.
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40 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
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Outcome without a verified action link
I had a loaner Panamera while my water pump was being changed - it's a remarkable car, but it's still not a 911.
As the title says, I changed my water pump today - not because it failed, it was working fine. Not out of paranoia, no signs of issues. Not because there was looseness, grinding, or other noises.
In fact, my dealer said that there was minor crusting around the shaft, but nothing serious and I could probably have left it on the car longer.
I changed it because it's 15 years old and had minor crusting AND I had a water pump sitting on my bench for over 4 years from when I previous mechanic tried scamming/scaring/shaming me and trying to get me to change it when it didn't need changing (I later bought one because I figured I would need one at some point and it's better to buy one cheaply over the internet, than pay full price when something has gone wrong).
Anyways, short story long, my 15 year old water pump that some would believe was an impending disaster waiting to happen didn't have any major leaks and didn't have any broken fins waiting to find their way into my engine and cause it to instantaneously turn it into a big, useless, metal brick.
Boringly it was working fine and showing no signs of being an issue any time soon. I know that will really distress some people.
I figure we need more feel good stories sometimes.
I think you should have a doctor check out that crusting around the shaft.
My water pump worked perfectly fine until the day it didn't, so good job replacing it preemptively.
No matter how well maintained a machine is, parts wear out over time. Thankfully, the 996 parts that need replacement are now fairly well known, and doing the work as preventive maintenance insulates us from the spike at the end of the curve (and expensive tow bills).
I changed out mine when it was 10yrs/55k miles. The blades are all fine but the shaft felt scratchy and the bearing had some noise when being spun by hand. I did the low-t thermo and complete coolant drain the same time and the pump was ~$250. I think it's cheap insurance for me.
Mine was fine until I ran the car up to 150MPH. I leaked coolant all the way home from the desert. Close to redline in 5th gear was more than the water pump bearing wanted to deal with.
Yup, it has been an awesome car. I would never envisage keeping a car this long, but I really have no reason to change it considering how reliable it has been. At my current use level I'm still good for 5 years before I hit 100K, so we'll see if I still have it then, but right now I see no reason for change.
It's not often that you can count on 1 hand the number of items (beyond tires and brakes) that have needed changing due to failure after almost 15 years.
You know, we should be celebrating that statement more often! My 1999 911 is still better than any Boxster, Cayman or Cayenne that I've ever driven. That's remarkable.
I had a loaner Panamera while my water pump was being changed - it's a remarkable car, but it's still not a 911.
I've had so many parts replaced other than brakes and tires. Let's see; coolant tank, MAF, broken hinge on center console, 1 wheel bearing...A total of 5 for me, not bad at all.
See, that's pretty good for a 15 year old car!
That's why I still hold these cars as being among the most reliable on the road. I've had Fords and Hondas with way more issues that I've spent a lot more money on.
Out of curiosity, did you R&R the pump from the bottom like most DIY's say, or remove the idler pulley and R&R from the top, as I've read in a couple of threads?
This is on my list to do and I'm looking for the least stressful method.
Edit. Never mind. I should learn how to read.
At first it kind of read like he did a DIY job but he let the dealer change it. I was all excited to give him a big
for a PM DIY water pump job but
. I hope he didnt really have to pay the dealer $500. Sure seems high.
Good to hear from you Chao!
They did. They also changed the belt. I thought it was a pretty good deal.
The car is still running strong and still as sexy as ever. People look at it and are amazed that it's still in showroom condition after almost 15 years. I love the car and don't see a reason to change it any time soon.
I finally got rid of the cold air intake earlier in the year. I was so sick and tired of it throwing check engine lights and chewing threw MAF sensors, so I pulled that off and threw it in the trash. In good conscience I couldn't scam anyone else by selling it to them. MAF sensors are really expensive and I'm tired of that POS eating them. So, I'm now back to the stock air box and a new MAF sensor, so let's see how well it does now that I've dumped the EVO CAI.
Did you have a lift or ramps? How would you rate your skills as a mechanic? Just wondering how difficult a DIY job this is. I have changed water pumps on very old front engined cars but never on a rear engined car much less a 911. On a front engined car it is a pretty easy straight forward job. I assume the same about the 911, once you get access.
You will need to have the car on jack stands or a lift but overall it's not that hard a job (6/10). As I recall, one of the bolts holding the pump in is a PITA and the pump can be a little tricky to get in/out. You will need a mix of small extension and flexible sockets for the job. It will also be beneficial to use a compressor-based vacuum pump that refills the coolant while removing any air from the system.
I paid my friendly dealer to do it.
If it takes them 5 hours to do it, which it did (They gave me a nice Panamera loaner as a result) then I'd expect you to need some skills to do this yourself.
I lost a couple of pints of coolant after a mountain run - 65k on the pump. No bearing noise or play , but spotted a drip on the bottom of the pump area - after taking it out - the fins were fine - but the cavity the fins run in was scored on the bottom- so bearing was definitely worn. Based on experience on these boards i'd say it is good preventative to do these around 60k/8 years - doesn't hurt to flush the old coolant at this age also.
The back wheels do not have to come off. I guess you could try to use a ramp but my car is lowered therefore I probably would not be able to without damaging the front bumper/lip.
I was thinking the metal blades would not fail like the OE piece...Good to know.
Where can one get an OE pump for $250? Cheapest I've seen is ~$350 for the TT pump.
thanks
To be honest, I was kinda relived that they said the pump was slightly seeping, as it meant I could get one more box if clutter off my bench.
. They would have been happy to let me postpone the change until it had more play and a bigger loss of fluid.
Yup, nice to see that some of opted to keep our cars longer, rather than selling and moving on.
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