Fred111

Here is my first 928. It's an 86.5 that I got almost two years ago, but just had a chance to dive into recently. I've been studying this forum since day one and it's helped me so much. What a wealth of knowledge!

When I got it the previous owner told me it was overheating and needed head gaskets but seemed to run well. I was looking for a good project and always wanted a 928 so I took it on. When I got it home I started checking things and I had found a post by someone ( I can't remember who to give credit to) that said if the water pump is working I should be able to see movement in the water reservoir. I couldn't see anything and it got hot so quickly I suspected the water pump impeller had come loose. I had that happen on another vehicle. So fast forward to yesterday, I finally had time to dig in and when I got the water pump loose, not only was the impeller loose it actually fell in the floor when pulling it off! The impeller was at least plastic so no damage. Needless to say i'm happy I don't need to do head gaskets at least for now. I can see no other indications that head gaskets are an issue.

By the way...if anyone has an alternator cooling shroud please let me know. Thanks!

Kiln_Red

Conversely, seeing bubbles in the expansion tank while finding a broken WP impeller would have just about assured that you needed new head gaskets at a minimum.

I'm probably a pessimist, but there must've been some reason the PO indicated new HGs were warranted. What's your engine oil look like?

I hope your good fortune continues. Welcome!

Fred111

The oil looked fine and the water looked fine.

Kiln_Red

Not sure of your current knowledge or familiarity with these engines, but metal impellers and acidic coolant have killed many. Less common with your engine, though many have been brought down to thrust bearing failure.

You need to baseline from somewhere before your investment gets too steep. Measure your crank end play. Test the oil for presence of coolant. Use either Pentofrost NF or G48 coolant and change it in suggested intervals.

Fred111

Crankshaft end play is next on my list before I do much else. I was curious about the water pump and had to start there.

Also, the previous owner didn't do any wrench turning himself and there was a receipt from the local corner gas station for adding head gasket sealer and a note on it to be careful about overheating. Apparently Bubba at the gas station told him it was head gaskets.

GregBBRD

Nice job on the impeller diagnostic work!

Fred111

Thanks!