Red UFO

I've traced back my water leak to the area of the waterpump. Its leaking even in park. The water light comes on about 1 time per week to refill the tank.

Does this usually mean its shot?

I know some other cars have a hole where it leaks when bad?
The shark is a 85, and it runs very cool when all the fluids are right.

Is there an 'easy' way to fix? I know going in there is quite a bit of time. If I do, I hate to just retighten the bolts and pray for the best. Hate to replace if I don't have to yet. I believe the water pump has 19k on it and TB.

What would you guys do?

Big Dave

Yep. It's bad. I had the EXACT same thing happen. Within a few weeks it was losing 1 gallon a day. I did a belt/pump change a few days after it got that bad. I was to the point of bringing coolant with me wherever I went. Embarrassing, too.

The leak was coming from the bearing, not from any of the mounting surfaces or bolts.

Red UFO

Ok, I just looked again. Its leaking bad. Right now its about a gallon + a week
What is my destiny to do TB and WP?

Its getting progressively worse. I doubt I'll be able to start this project a few months.

Big Dave

My pump never actually failed. It just started leaking faster and faster. I was able to see continuous dripping under the car right before I changed it. I imagine the pump could seize up if you wait too long. After I took off my pump, I noticed that it didn't turn as smoothly as the new one.

Jim_H

Crystal ball says you are going to get real familliar with the front of your motor soon.

dr bob

Water coming out the "weep" hole in the pump means the shaft seal is bad. The weep hole allows a path for the coolant to escape without blowing through the bearings... for a while. The penalties for waiting too long include possible overheating damage since the system won't hold any pressure, lots of corrosion with all that fresh water and air in the system, and (drum roll...) there's the possibility that the water pump bearings will seize, causing an immediate overheat, a broken timing belt, and a pile of head and valve work if you are talking about the later car with the interference engine.

If it was me, I'd plan on parking it until the repair can be made. ;(

Good luck with your decision!

-----

FWIW, SoCal928 cofounders Keith and Dan just did a casual TB/WP job in less than 10 working hours start-to-finish on Dan's '83. Maybe there's some local expert like Keith to give you a hand to get it done sooner.

rixter

unfortunately my Ouji board said the same...

heinrich

Course not Red ... just keep running her ... that lil bidda ole wadda ain't no thang ..... if the belt fails just use an old stocking

IcemanG17

Park it right now...not worth driving it and seizing the pump & smashing a bunch of valves... As expensive as a TB-WP is, a TB-WP + new valves and head work is way more $$$.

Or you could be like the prior owner of my car, just keep driving it until it blows...then sell the car for a massive loss & someone else will rebuild it!

docmirror

Park the car, call Jim and tell him you need to do TB/WP. He will sell you all the stuff. Read up on the Pirtle site and maybe the WSM. Then start in. It's not as hard as some have been led to believe. Exposing the front area where the TB is requires a bit of time, but things generally fall back in place. The hassle is the front crank nut, and holding the flywheel.

The potential damage is too great to keep driving. Monitor which pump you get carefully, there have been posts regarding rebuilt pump failures recently. Best of luck.

Big Dave

Changing the TB/WP is not hard at all. Pirtle's site is very clear and easy to follow.

Red UFO

Unfortunately I can't park it yet.

Euro on right with leaky water pump. 83 on left under surgery.



I have to drive the 85 until this Friday so I need to put another 25 miles on it to work and back for next 4 days.


This is where the 83 is at. New waterpump on. Just put oil in the tensioner. I used 15/50 oil and a surendg (spelling?) that was left over from my wisdom teeth. Only took a few minutes to refill. Next I'm waiting for lower/inner TB cover around the crank from 928 specialist, mine is to cracked to be left on.
The 83 should be put back together his weekend and I'll park the 85 until I have all the parts to redo it.

My only regert on the 83 job is I didn't have the cash handy to buy brand new cam and oil gear sprokets. So I'll keep an eye on them.

The only good news is the WP on the 85 quits leaking after the engine cools. Much be heat pouring it out.

My ride to work is only 2 miles so she wont' be under to much stress at this time of year.

I took lots of pics of the 83 job. Perhaps I should post my TB/WP write up with plenty of pics of people want it.

docmirror

Okay, I'm gonna make a nutty suggestion. Water comes out the weep hole because it's under pressure. On older cars, when the front shaft seal went, I left the rad cap on, but not tightened. This will allow the coolant to run in the system at atmospheric pressure. The seal will not repair itself, but it may extend the life of it for a few more miles.

I also used to keep a 2 gal jug of distilled in the trunk, and fill at each opportunity. It will overheat if stuck in traffic, but avoid stop and go, keep the heater on, and you might make it. If not, the consequences are dire. I guess you know that already.

heinrich

Red I love all that red Porsche goodness ... you are blessed.

Red UFO

I'll probably end up with back to back TB and WP jobs. I'll do a write up on my 83 work. But it will be a lazy man version not something attempted in a weekend. I started on it 2 1/2 weeks ago and not in a hurry to slap anything together quick. Only work on it 2 hours a day even on weekends. Gotta make sure I have time for video games and homework, life...

Between sending my checks to the big three, harbor freight and master replicas for light sabers. I can't complain I guess. Labor of love with all the payback in the gas pedal.

How many sharks are you raisin Heinrich?

I'll have to fix this before I put JEs chromed spider on this 83.

Might have to give up my repost cop hat for waterpump boy.