Water Pump Replacement Help

[RajinCajun]

Hello all. 1997 Boxster. Manual, with about 97,000 miles on her. Lost my water pump this past weekend. Bought a new one, replaced it with no real issues thanks to the DIY article I found on this forum. After draining all the coolant that i could, I added about three gallons until the tank was filled towards the top. Then I started the car. I then pulled the bleed vlave open and left it in the open position. I did put the resevoir cap back on though. After the car ran for a while, I'd say about ten minutes, I added more coolant. The level had dropped down to the bottom and was actually out of sight. I eventually added fluid a few more times. I did rev the car up to about 3000 rpm for a minute or two, than back down to idle for a while again. After a total of about 10-15 minutes of running, I noticed the red light on the temp gauge was blinking at me. I monitored the temp and found that it had stayed aroud the 190 range. Later, I'd say another 10 minutes of running, the temp jumped up to about 220-230ish. It was dark, and I was tired, so I shut her down for the night.

Qiestion: do you think i still ahve air in the system? Or, could I have a bad thermostat? Any other ideas? Any help or advice is appreciated. Thanks...and yes, I am new to this forum and this is my first post. Actually, sold my BMW K1200LT motorcycle to buy this Boxster. I think it was a good move. Don't miss the bike a bit, and love this car. It is my first Porsche. I can already tell you it is definitely not my last.

Brian

[Loren]

It could take a week to bleed the system - continually adding coolant with the bleed valve open.

It could also be be that parts of a fractured water pump are lodged in the engine or thermostat. Was the water pump impeller fractured? If so did you find all the pieces?

[Wayne R. Dempsey]

Bleeding these cars can be tricky if you don't follow a set procedure. I have the correct procedure documented here: http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Boxster_Tech/29-WATER-Flush/29-WATER-Flush.htm

The blinking red light means low coolant.

I would suggest you go thru the article and rebleed / add more coolant to the system, it shouldn't take very long at all. Loren is right too - it may take a little while for all of the air bubbles to work their way through the system.

Hope this helps,

-Wayne

[ppbon]

It is tricky and necessary to bleed out all the air trapped in the system.

I believe that most of the ruptured coolant reservoir issues are due to air in the system.

There are factory-recommended procedures (alluded to by Wayne), but the only way to be sure that there's no air in the system is to use a vacuum replenish tool such as the one I have in my website: http://www.pedrosgar...ant_System.html

I completely sucks out all the air, even from the faraway front radiators before it starts filling with fresh coolant.

Happy Boxstering,

Pedro

[RajinCajun]

Loren/Wayne/PPbon,

thank you all for the help. I am heading out right now to execute the procedure I just read suggested by Wayne. I appreciate all the quik replies. I'll let you all know how it goes...

Brian

[RajinCajun]

All done! Second attempt to bleed went fine. Fluid level looks like it has stailized, fans came on and off as they should have. And, I took her for a 30 min ride. temp stayed fairly constant at the 12 O'Clock position, maybe a little higher, but certainly not where it looks like it is normal. Got home, lifted her up just to look for any leaks; none were found, so the under-cover was reattached, and she is asleep for hte night. Thank you all agian for the advice and help. Appreciate it.

brian