928ntslow

Is it necessary to replace the water pump if the timing belt is replaced? I know it is good practice on the 928's. Does the timing belt run the water pump on the 968's? Is there a lot of stress on the pump bearing if a new belt is installed?

cbr2@softhome.net

Replace it...You are 95% there anyway

Tabor

I disagree the 968 water pump is not nearly as prone to failure as the early 944 ones were. Also, the 968 water pump costs $500, that is almost twice as much as a 944 pump. Finally, you replace your timing belts every 30-60 thousand miles. The water pump should not need replacing every 30 thousand miles, nor 60 thousand miles. It should be good for at least 100 thousand miles. When I say this, I mean the 968 pumps. The early 944 pumps were plauged with problems.

adrial

968ntmine, keep us posted on the 968 search.

And yea, what they said
What cbr2@softhome.net said is what I thought, but wasn't sure of. What Tabor Kelly said makes sense and he seems to know what he's talking about The water pump on my dad's old 1990 buick lesabre lasted till 90,000 miles or so. One would hope Porsche could do just as good/better in the same time period.

JasonN

I would do it. It will save you in the long run. If you do it now, you most likely wont have to worry ever again about it...unless you plan on owning the car forever. If the pump does break on a 968, best case scenario is new pump, worst cas scenario in it busts and drenches the belts, belts slip and its new engine time. When your in there you may want to look at the front seals as well. If there is a slow leak, this is the time to replace them. I like to keep worry free though and may be too cautious at times.

rpm's S2

While the old timing belt/water pump replacement advice usually holds with 944 NAs, I think often we assume higher mileage. The 968 is a different beast, but changing at a certain point is still a wise idea. I did not replace the pump in my S2 (essentially 968 engine) until the I changed the timing belt at 115k. Even though the pump was still good, at that point it seemed prudent.