geekapalooza

Have a dilemma on water pumps... so looking for some advice here......

I did the Timing Belt, Tensioner Rebuild, Rollers, and Water Pump job on the 87 S4 - 15 months and 4000 miles ago. At the time a new Genuine Porsche rebuilt water pump from the Dealer was bad right out of the box, but it was only was apparent though after being installed and ran a few minutes. So I went back and replaced it with a rebuilt water pump unit from one of the Big 2.

So now I'm back in there this weekend because now the front crank seal is leaking. After disassembly, it's obvious the rebuilt water pump with only 4k miles on it is leaking coolant from behind the pulley, out of the impeller shaft. Gotta be replaced once again.....

Here's the Question: Given my luck (so far) with rebuilt water pumps, is there a good / reliable / well recommended rebuilt water pump out there?? I ask because so far the rebuilts have not been up to the challenge (2 out of 2 have been bad).

Soooo, at this point I'm tempted to say the hell with it, and just buy an entirely new Porsche unit for $600.00 or whatever the price is, but that much $$ for a water pump is a really tough one to swallow.

Thanks In Advance,
Rob

UKKid35

This is probably of limited value to you in the US, but, I replaced my waterpump with a new unit (not exchange) from an independent supplier in the UK. Cost was a reasonable £120 plus tax. It has a metal impeller and has been on the car for 25k miles. Bizarrely PET is showing a price of £573 plus tax.

geekapalooza

UKKid - Would you happen to know the brand? Thanks

UKKid35

No, but I can give you a link to the supplier and you can call or drop him an email. A word of warning though, Bert is a man of few words, very few.

bert@berlyn-services.co.uk

http://partsforporsche.co.uk/osc/rad...b67d74c7126e2f

Garth S

Paul,
That is a good tip: is a pump core return required ( which can quickly escalate international shipping)? If no core is required, that is a worthy deal.

heinrich

I've seen 3 inground pumps. all metal and all LASO brand (rough casting). I'd bet you have a bigger issue causing pump failures like tensioner failure/incorrect parts.

FlyingDog

I agree with H. Something else is wrong.

Old & New

Rob,

I'd triple check the belt tension and look for smooth operation of the belt.

It kind of makes you wish you left the original one in there, though, huh?

FlyingDog

When you take it apart, make sure the tensioner and tensioner arm parts all match up to the WP.

Daniel Dudley

At Frenzy, one of the speakers said he would never use a rebuilt again. I also replaced several in in a short period on my 80. Got a rebuilt from Jim B and have had no problems since. In my case it was the unit that failed. It really comes down to the quality of the rebuild. I went with a new one on my 89. YMMV

heinrich

rebuilds are sometimes better than new. in fact i've never seen LASO rebuilt. I know I was told the rebuilders of 2 of the big 5 will not rebuild laso.