Water Pump Failure

[propchef]

Yesterday I replaced the water pump on my 2006 C2. First I would like to thank all that posted DIY instructions and tips. Second, the prevailing advice seems to be to replace somewhere between 60-80k. Someone mentioned that they changed their pump at 100k.

 

Last Friday I was out for a drive and I had a catastrophic failure of the water pump. No warning, no noise until it let go. The main shaft snapped in half but the impellers were fine. Nothing got into the system.

 

My car has 44k miles and has lead a charmed life. Thankfully nothing else broke when it let go, although I did find myself in an area with no cell coverage. I coasted downhill for about 1/2 mile until I had signal, then called for rescue.

 

I didn’t document everything but I’ll share a few things I found:

- take out the cats. I soaked them with WD the two days before the parts arrived and had no issues with frozen bolts.

- take out the engine carrier. It’s only a few bolts and easy to get to. It gives you so much more room than just loosening and trying to work around

- there’s a whole lot of “while you’re in there” stuff so take advantage. Thermostat, idlers, tensioner, belt, plugs, hoses, etc.

- pay attention to torque settings. I’ve seen a few diy that use gasket sealer. NO. The pump should come with a metal gasket and new bolts. They are torqued to 10nm.

 

I’ll be 60 this year and did this laying in my back in my driveway. I’ve always worked on my own cars but this was my first Porsche repair (got the car in February) and I just took my time and broke it into steps. Took me about 4 hours including running to the auto parts store to buy a new jack, since my old one seems to have developed leaky seals.

 

 

 

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[propchef]

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[jchapura]

Thanks for sharing. That's quite a failure mode. Never heard of the prop shaft just snapping like that "out of the blue". You lucked out that the impeller didn't wobble into the block (and shed plastic) while it slowed down.

 

I replaced mine about 4 years ago. The replacement period consensus I gathered was to replace at about 40000 miles. Definitely replace the thermostat at the same time. And other things, as you mention.

 

Happy motoring.

 

[fastsvo]

Is there an updated water pump available that is stronger?


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[jchapura]

I'm not sure.

 

I've heard it's best to stick with a Porsche branded pump (rather than even the OEM Pierburg).

 

[JFP in PA]

17 minutes ago, fastsvo said:

Is there an updated water pump available that is stronger?


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No.

[propchef]

Thanks for sharing. That's quite a failure mode. Never heard of the prop shaft just snapping like that "out of the blue". You lucked out that the impeller didn't wobble into the block (and shed plastic) while it slowed down.
 
I replaced mine about 4 years ago. The replacement period consensus I gathered was to replace at about 40000 miles. Definitely replace the thermostat at the same time. And other things, as you mention.
 
Happy motoring.
 

Thanks.

Despite a PPI and my personal inspection when the car arrived (out of state purchase), things sometimes fail on a 16 yo car. I’d already ordered a new ignition and my door pull failed just the week prior. I cancelled those two and reordered at ton more. :sigh:

Replaced the ignition this morning in about 25 minutes, then tackled the door pull/latch. That took a bit more, just over an hour. Now we’re back!


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