M. Requin

And as of today 28 have been sold...

notaguru

FACTS:
The first seller has sold more than 50 of these '78-86 pumps on just his current eBay listing, and wrote to me that he has had zero complaints or problems. Other online sellers are doing similarly with this "cast iron" pump. There are sellers offering the '87-95 pump at similarly low prices, and one seller (with over 1.6M positive feedbacks on eBay for various cheaper parts) offers a 10 year guarantee of the pump itself.

CONCLUSION:
Hundreds of 928s have been fitted with this class of product, comprising a statistically valid sample.

QUESTIONS:
1. What evidence is there that those cheap pumps are more likely to fail than expensive ones?
2. If those pumps are failure-prone, why hasn't news of the problem reached this group?
3. If those pumps destroy engines, why are used parts so expensive?
4. How many subscribers to this forum are using those pumps, and don't know it?
5. How many Porsche mechs install these pumps and charge for the more costly ones?

I've ordered a pump. I have a lab, and if someone nearby has one of the expensive pumps we can do comparative microscopic, metallurgical, dye-penetrant, bearing friction, noise/vibration when spun, and other analyses.

(shields on!)

hacker-pschorr

There really isn't any and that is part of the problem. There have been reports of the more expensive pumps failing in such a way the metal impeller hit the block and did damage.

Bottom line is many are taking the safe route. As long as the impeller is plastic, worst case scenario you are on the side of the road with an overheating 928, not a damaged engine block by a metal impeller.

If these cheap pumps had a plastic impeller it would be a different story.

This group is but a tiny fraction of world wide 928 ownership. I've met 928 owners who never have any interaction with this forum other than maybe occasionally surveying the board to see what's being discussed.




Personally I'm going with known history that I've been able to gather and that is water pumps rebuild by Dick Jordan were some of the best ever available (he retired a few years ago...).
I found a cache of 8 sitting on a shelf somewhere and bought them all, yes they have a metal impeller. Once I'm through this stash I'm not sure what I'm going to use next.

One of his former employees recently opened up shop and is once again rebuilding 928 pumps. I'm hoping his quality and choice of bearings is on par with (or exceeds) the Jordan rebuilds.

docmirror

One data point, I had a cheap pump on my car. It failed, and but for quick action on my part saved me from engine destruction.

OBTW, conclusions usually come after Q&A, but maybe you work for the fedguv where facts and answers really aren't important.

SeanR

There are quite a few of us on here that have had to either repair damaged blocks, damaged valves, or had to do head gaskets due to these cheap water pumps. I think I've replaced 4 of them in the last couple of years that the owners cheaped out on and used these, I remember one that lasted less than a year.

Hell, we have one local owner who drove to Frenzy and had to have his car flat bedded back to Texas because the metal impeller on that pump just stopped spinning.

Like I tell my customers, use whatever pump you want to on your car but do not expect me to install it. If the price of a quality water pump is too much for someone, they need to not own a Porsche 928.

hwyengr

When exhaust valves cost $200 each, like they do for the S3s, my risk tolerance is pretty low for no-name parts that can break the timing belt.

Can't wait to hear how it works out for you, though.

mark kibort

what should i do with this, seemingly good porsche pump? it feels good when i spin it...

James Bailey

Sell it on Ebay as "race tested and proven" .....

Randy V

@ JB

notaguru

If price alone, rather than failure rate, determines your opinion of water pump reliability, you should LOVE this one at more than $1,000! How can it not be superior to those cheapo Laso units?
http://tinyurl.com/ogry5ks

hwyengr

What's your angle here? Just trying to shake things up? Self-deprecating username aside, you seem to be looking for arguments left and right since you showed up.

Who says they only install expensive pumps based on cost? I've never seen a recommendation for a pump beyond the factory, Laso, or Geba. Those are all name brand pumps.

James Bailey

With your 1983 why bother doing the T-belt at all......that saves the most money.

docmirror

Being a cheap bas,,,, well - I'd go ahead and put any POS pump on a non-interference engine. Just plan on R&R every year or two. Broke pump?, tow it home, jack it up and get out the air ratchet. bzzzztz, bzzzzt, bzzzzzzt.

SeanR

Ahh, didn't know he had an '83. Something was missing from his signature it seems. Perfect test bed for one of those $69.00 pumps, please get one and let us know how long it lasts.

mark kibort

how about mine?? ill sell it for 50 bucks.. its genuine porsche too! a little rusty, but should work... no JIM, that didnt come off my car...it came off the devek 4.5 racer of petty's ugly!!! NO wait.. the euro 4.7 donor engine.... very ugly!