Water pump failed after 3 years / 49.000 km (31.000 Mi)
#32
Basic Sponsor
Rennlist
Site Sponsor
Rennlist
Site Sponsor
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
It has been a while since I last sold one but circa $600.
I refer customers directly to Ed.
I refer customers directly to Ed.
__________________
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1694/8685/files/928sRus_rennlist.png?v=1621798567)
Does it have the "Do It Yourself" manual transmission, or the superior "Fully Equipped by Porsche" Automatic Transmission?
George Layton March 2014
928 Owners are ".....a secret sect of quietly assured Porsche pragmatists who in near anonymity appreciate the prodigious, easy going prowess of the 928."![thumbsup](https://rennlist.com/forums/graemlins/bigok.gif)
![](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1694/8685/files/928sRus_rennlist.png?v=1621798567)
Does it have the "Do It Yourself" manual transmission, or the superior "Fully Equipped by Porsche" Automatic Transmission?
![thumbsup](https://rennlist.com/forums/graemlins/bigok.gif)
928 Owners are ".....a secret sect of quietly assured Porsche pragmatists who in near anonymity appreciate the prodigious, easy going prowess of the 928."
![thumbsup](https://rennlist.com/forums/graemlins/bigok.gif)
#33
Former Vendor
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
If the failures are indeed due to, or amplified by, the load of the cam belt, this is genius. (Actually the entire idea and application of the idea is brillant, in itself.)
On the other hand, if the failures are due to the seal simply failing between the water and the impeller bearing, I'm not certain that this solution is going to cure this.
Only time and miles are going to provide the needed data.
I personally think that it is really important to remove/flush out the "collection" of debris that might possibly migrate and damage the seal. Flushing the block and the radiator of any pieces of calcium buildup certainly is going to help. If you have had an impeller migrate and damage the block, or have had a water pump bearing actually fail to the point where the impeller has "ground away" on the water pump casting, it will be imperative to get that debris out of the water system, so that metal will not damage the new water pump seal.
#34
Chronic Tool Dropper
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
<<...>>
I personally think that it is really important to remove/flush out the "collection" of debris that might possibly migrate and damage the seal. Flushing the block and the radiator of any pieces of calcium buildup certainly is going to help. If you have had an impeller migrate and damage the block, or have had a water pump bearing actually fail to the point where the impeller has "ground away" on the water pump casting, it will be imperative to get that debris out of the water system, so that metal will not damage the new water pump seal.
I personally think that it is really important to remove/flush out the "collection" of debris that might possibly migrate and damage the seal. Flushing the block and the radiator of any pieces of calcium buildup certainly is going to help. If you have had an impeller migrate and damage the block, or have had a water pump bearing actually fail to the point where the impeller has "ground away" on the water pump casting, it will be imperative to get that debris out of the water system, so that metal will not damage the new water pump seal.
^^ Words of wisdom and experience.
Several cars that have been here for fluid-swap clinics and other services that include draining the block (like timing belt service) have had lower galley drains blocked by debris and crud. A piece of welding rod is used to loosen the crud and get it free enough to come out through those threaded openings. The presence of this kind of debris is a telltale sign that a cooling system is under-maintained. Lots of threads and discussions on what coolant to use and whether a bottle of Water Wetter helps or not. Bottom line is that whatever cooling you decide on, you still need to replace it annually, and flush the system through the block drains.
The water pumps use a "mechanical seal", with a metal or ceramic face on one side and a carbon face on the other side. Coolant "lubricates" the area between the faces, and ultimately provides the final seal. If the metal face corrodes due to lack of buffers and lubricants in the coolant, it will quickly fail and leak. Spot of crud/debris in that sealing area, it will quickly fail and leak. Anything that might scratch or change the gap in that sealing area will cause a leak and failure.
Silicates in the coolant provide seal lubrication, but cause other problems with chemistry when temps get too high or there is a leak in the system. But that's getting into the "which coolant is best" discussion best held by others in a different place.
#35
Three Wheelin'
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
^^ Words of wisdom and experience.
Several cars that have been here for fluid-swap clinics and other services that include draining the block (like timing belt service) have had lower galley drains blocked by debris and crud. A piece of welding rod is used to loosen the crud and get it free enough to come out through those threaded openings. The presence of this kind of debris is a telltale sign that a cooling system is under-maintained. Lots of threads and discussions on what coolant to use and whether a bottle of Water Wetter helps or not. Bottom line is that whatever cooling you decide on, you still need to replace it annually, and flush the system through the block drains.
The water pumps use a "mechanical seal", with a metal or ceramic face on one side and a carbon face on the other side. Coolant "lubricates" the area between the faces, and ultimately provides the final seal. If the metal face corrodes due to lack of buffers and lubricants in the coolant, it will quickly fail and leak. Spot of crud/debris in that sealing area, it will quickly fail and leak. Anything that might scratch or change the gap in that sealing area will cause a leak and failure.
Silicates in the coolant provide seal lubrication, but cause other problems with chemistry when temps get too high or there is a leak in the system. But that's getting into the "which coolant is best" discussion best held by others in a different place.
Several cars that have been here for fluid-swap clinics and other services that include draining the block (like timing belt service) have had lower galley drains blocked by debris and crud. A piece of welding rod is used to loosen the crud and get it free enough to come out through those threaded openings. The presence of this kind of debris is a telltale sign that a cooling system is under-maintained. Lots of threads and discussions on what coolant to use and whether a bottle of Water Wetter helps or not. Bottom line is that whatever cooling you decide on, you still need to replace it annually, and flush the system through the block drains.
The water pumps use a "mechanical seal", with a metal or ceramic face on one side and a carbon face on the other side. Coolant "lubricates" the area between the faces, and ultimately provides the final seal. If the metal face corrodes due to lack of buffers and lubricants in the coolant, it will quickly fail and leak. Spot of crud/debris in that sealing area, it will quickly fail and leak. Anything that might scratch or change the gap in that sealing area will cause a leak and failure.
Silicates in the coolant provide seal lubrication, but cause other problems with chemistry when temps get too high or there is a leak in the system. But that's getting into the "which coolant is best" discussion best held by others in a different place.
Roger?
#37
Three Wheelin'
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Washington "Dc"
Posts: 1,810
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Namasgt & Colin:
Yes, the belt was retensioned - or rater 're-loosened'.
My regular, non-Porsche workshop did the timing belt and water pump replacement. [No tension tool???]
Shortly after (before ~1500 Mi AFAIK), it was checked by an independent Porsche specialist, while searching for a mysterious noise. They found it to be a little too tight and so loosened it a bit. They used the Porsche tool for checking. -Proper tension
Hasn't been touched since this... and the pump failure, so assuming the specialist set the tension correctly, I wouldn't expect it to have been too tight. Should be noted that the specialist is handling 928s regularly, so they should know what they're doing.
Regards,
Erling
Yes, the belt was retensioned - or rater 're-loosened'.
My regular, non-Porsche workshop did the timing belt and water pump replacement. [No tension tool???]
Shortly after (before ~1500 Mi AFAIK), it was checked by an independent Porsche specialist, while searching for a mysterious noise. They found it to be a little too tight and so loosened it a bit. They used the Porsche tool for checking. -Proper tension
Hasn't been touched since this... and the pump failure, so assuming the specialist set the tension correctly, I wouldn't expect it to have been too tight. Should be noted that the specialist is handling 928s regularly, so they should know what they're doing.
Regards,
Erling
Hindsite being 20-20, after you replace the waterpump, (might as well start over new belt as well), you will probably want to
1-Have the initial installer use a tension tool
2-Recheck at 1500M (with tension tool)
3-Recheck @ 11k and every 10k
Possibly the first shop too tight damaged the waterpump bearing, and the second shop getting the tension correct may have extended the time before failure, however a second check should have been performed (with the tension tool IMHO) to be sure of the tension and tracking of the belt (especially important on the 32v motors).
In any case it seems to be a standard waterpump failure however like others have noted the belt tension has an effect on the load the bearing must 'bear' ..
Best of luck..
#39
Rennlist Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
That yields maximum freeze protection but not necessarily maximum cooling capacity.
As some have eluded to, engine antifreeze isn’t the best heat transfer medium.
It is a big no-no to use engine antifreeze in hydronic heating systems for that very reason: it impedes heat transfer.
As some have eluded to, engine antifreeze isn’t the best heat transfer medium.
It is a big no-no to use engine antifreeze in hydronic heating systems for that very reason: it impedes heat transfer.
#40
Rennlist Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
A weak mix will have catastrophic results to the block and head if the car lives in very cold climes. IIRC theres also a chemical reaction with the coolant given the compo of the block/heads hence the necessity to use specialized antifreeze and distilled water but Im no chemist.
I run a Laso pump V2 from Roger with a Porkensioner and Gates belt.....no worries, 60k and counting![Cool](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/cool.gif)
YMMV
I run a Laso pump V2 from Roger with a Porkensioner and Gates belt.....no worries, 60k and counting
![Cool](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/cool.gif)
YMMV
#41
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Coolant wise, I just figure if I get a bit more distilled H2O than coolant I'm ok. I go a approx 50/50 with G-05 and distilled but as of the other day, I'm going to go with the Honda coolant at 100% to see what temp results I get. Heard some great stuff from the tuner/boost crowd and it's about $7.00 cheaper per gallon.
#42
Racer
Thread Starter
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Hindsite being 20-20, after you replace the waterpump, (might as well start over new belt as well), you will probably want to
1-Have the initial installer use a tension tool
2-Recheck at 1500M (with tension tool)
3-Recheck @ 11k and every 10k
Possibly the first shop too tight damaged the waterpump bearing, and the second shop getting the tension correct may have extended the time before failure, however a second check should have been performed (with the tension tool IMHO) to be sure of the tension and tracking of the belt (especially important on the 32v motors).
In any case it seems to be a standard waterpump failure however like others have noted the belt tension has an effect on the load the bearing must 'bear' ..
Best of luck..
1-Have the initial installer use a tension tool
2-Recheck at 1500M (with tension tool)
3-Recheck @ 11k and every 10k
Possibly the first shop too tight damaged the waterpump bearing, and the second shop getting the tension correct may have extended the time before failure, however a second check should have been performed (with the tension tool IMHO) to be sure of the tension and tracking of the belt (especially important on the 32v motors).
In any case it seems to be a standard waterpump failure however like others have noted the belt tension has an effect on the load the bearing must 'bear' ..
Best of luck..
The first installer does have a tension tool, albeit a generic one and thus not the Porsche specific version. I assume they used it, but wasn't looking over the mechanic's shoulder, so can't say for sure.
Am very much inclined to get the Porsche tool myself, as they're quite cheap. Then I could check it regularly - and lend the tool to any shop doing a cambelt change for me, if necessary.
Have had a full cambelt service performed - should have been done next year anyway, so it would have been sillly not to change the belt too, considering most of the cost is the water pump and the labor.
Regards,
Erling
#44
Racer
Thread Starter
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Yes, you're right. I just realised the actual factory tool would be in that price range. It was the Kempf tool I had in mind; sold by 928 Motorsports for ~$60. Don't know if it's accurate enough though ?
Regards,
Erling
Regards,
Erling