GregBBRD

I'm done screwing around with fricking water pumps.

I used 928 International rebuilt pumps for years. Had a grand total of 4 fail...all leaked....none fell apart or seized. I relaced every one...on my own nickel...sure, they replaced the pump, but I personally provided the labor.

The recent "rash" of rebuilt pumps falling apart scared the crap out of me...so I personally took all the different pumps apart and inspected them. The factory pumps are the best, there is no doubt about it, but they are expensive.

The Lasco pumps looked really good. Not as good as the factory water pumps...but close. Good bearings, good pulley, nice tight fit on the impeller and the pulley. The impeller is cast, while the factory one is forged. The aluminum "casting" is rougher, but who cares? Well, I guess I do, now!

Well, I just had the very first Lasco pump I installed seize on a stroker motor, while on the dyno. The car has a few hundred miles on it...no signs of problems. Huge squeal from the belt area. Temperature went nuts, instantly! Got it shut down and the belt took a beating, but hung in there. The engine is still fine...but water pumps don't change themselves, very fast!

I'm over this crap. I'm only using brand new, factory pumps on all my engines, from here on out!

blown 87

That sucks.

So the factory new units have a metal impeller on them?

AO

D'oh!

GregBBRD

No, they probably are plastic...but I've only ever had one of those fail. That seems to be better odds than what I'm dealing with.

GregBBRD

The one I took apart was an older metal impeller.

Bill Ball

They haven't exactly been trouble-free either. Anyway, glad to hear you averted a catastrophe! I've not used any Lasso pumps before and likely won't.

blown 87

I know it is going to take some time and money to change the water pump out, but at least you caught it in time to save the valves.

Jim R.

Hopefully mine lasts a bit longer than that.....the failure sucks, but good save!

Jim

GregBBRD

Yeah, 40 years of racing has made me pretty quick....turning the key off....no sitting around wondering what the hell that noise could be!

AO

So Greg,

Do you subscribe to the camp that you should change the water pump when you do a timing belt? (if you're doing the work yourslef.)

mark kibort

Unreal! Glad you caught it. Ive been the innocent passenger on the failed water pump ride too!
Not fun doing a timing belt, especially if it is on a stock car!

anyway, everyone wondered why i didnt change the pump when I did the motor. thats why. If you find a good one, hold on to it and never change it until is dies its slow death! I had a bunch of them fail, including the porsche factory version. (plastic impeller came off the shaft) . the rest leaked, impeller came off shaft or made a bunch of noise.

mk

AO

That's my approach to. Just too scary.

worf928

I was under the impression that "new" Porsche water pumps were napping with the Dodo bird (i.e. NLA) and that you got a rebuilt plastic impeller water pump (from the same guys that rebuild 928 Internationals') when you ordered one from PCNA?

Say it ain't so?

MTNKING

Electric water pumps?

David L. Lutz

Right after I purchased mine in 2004 with 65,000 miles, I did the TB and replaced the water Pump with a 928Inter. rebuilt. When I pulled the engine last year with 78,000 miles for a valve job I didn't touch the pump. Jim B. and I dicscussed this at length and based on his advise I left well enough alone. So... I am in the "no change Camp".

When the engine was out there were no leaks, and the pump turned very smooth and free. So far so good!