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Doug DeMuro's theory is that "we know these issues because they happen to enthusiasts cars". "Porsche drivers keep their cars going. They fix the big issues. And then they complain on RennList."
But what I learned, over time, is that isn’t the case. Instead, what happens is, they just take this stuff incredibly seriously, and they work their assess off to earn strong scores. I’ll never forget one company meeting where we were supposed to be celebrating a second-place victory in some J.D. Power survey, and the chief executive gets up to speak. “Guys, we did really well,” he says, in this somber tone you only get from a Germany company that’s just been given a report card. “But maybe next year, we can beat Lexus.”
They don’t have meetings like this, over at Land Rover. What they do at Land Rover is, they have a huge company-wide party every time there’s a J.D. Power survey where Land Rover isn’t ranked dead last. Unfortunately, this event is always held at an off-site location, and most of the employees can’t make it because their differentials blew out on the way there.
just from memory I can rattle off one or 2 serious flaws on each generation of 911 that ever hit the road, from 901 to 997.1. After that it gets *a lot* harder...
Maybe DFI carbon buildup will bite us but it's been 10 years already... The point is not that we buy Porsches because they are flawless and last forever - that hasn't been the case for a while - we buy them because their chassis engineers are goddamn wizards and make a car that drives/handles like no other.
I lost a water pump in both my 996.2 and 987.1 around 40K miles - one free one $750 or so - peanuts vs an IMS. So far I've never heard of a water pump on a 991, just COVs, door panels, squeaks.... acceptable stuff (until that post about the reverse light switch built in the damn manual gearbox anyway ;-)
I suspect the water pump doesn’t have much over a 100k lifespan... dealer says at 83k mine has evidence of dried seepage already, but no drips yet which would warrent replacement.
My 997 had sudden failure at 70k....without warning. I replaced it myself...lots of fun in cramped space. Now you guys are worrying me about my 991.1..... I have had my 83SC for 130k miles.....never had to replace the water pump on that on.
Abe
just from memory I can rattle off one or 2 serious flaws on each generation of 911 that ever hit the road, from 901 to 997.1. After that it gets *a lot* harder...
+1
911's tend to not have minor problems, but one or two major, expensive ones. 911's up until the water cooled cars are like Toyotas once the valve guides and/or head studs are fixed.
I always check the weep hole for dried coolant. It’s just something I do on every car at every service. Once you see any signs of leaking, replace the water pump. Sure, you have some time, but better to do it sooner than later. For a 991, the atermarket one is $75 and the genuine $350 or so. $75 is quite reasonable if you are on a budget, but not the $20 for the one for on a Jeep, but more on that below ....
As far as DeMuro, with whom I share similar vehicle tastes (lotus, Land Rover and, I suppose, Porsche although I don’t think he ever owned one), he is right, except he is a little to closed off to the pedestrian car world. He says that jeeps, Toyota, VWs etc. go off and die, but there are large followings for each who keep vehicles going for decades. What usually kills old cars is corrosion (certainly true in Jeeps and Toyotas both of which have serious frame rust issues — as do Land Rover defenders) and, most remarkable to me, is that 76/77 on when Porsche went to galvanized bodies is that porsches are incredibly resistant to corrosion compared to other vehicles. My neighbor just picked up a 77 (first year all galvanized) mid-Atlantic/northeast 911 and it is basically rust free. Nothing else from that era would be in similar condition. Hopefully the 991 does not have corrosion issues (it should not, but aluminium and steel together always gives me concern from my Land Rover experiences). And unlike a dodge intrepid, a 911 is rarely so worthless that a repair is not economically viable (note this was not true 10 plus years ago with rusty pre-galvanized body cars and even 356). The downside to the high value of 911 is that used parts are not readily available and cheap to fix the big ticket issues (try pricing a good 996 engine, it’s basically the cost of the car).
Long story short, inspect the water pump weep hole, get to know you car generally, address and prevent corrosion issues, and you can keep anything running indefinitely be it a 991, or a 91 Jeep, or a 77 911. The internet is here to help. :-)
I just got my '17 991.2 C4S with 20,500 miles on it back from dealer. Had a red emergent "pull over now and let car cool" message. After spending 2.5 hours waiting Porsche roadside tow truck showed up. End result is I have a new water pump and seals and I'm now a card carrying member of AAA.
2014 991.1 with 47k, daily driver. No water pump issues. Lots of 150mph+ on the Autobahn for three years so I've driven it hard. Just replaced the high pressure fuel pump a few months back under CPO. Wife's 2008 Cayman 2.7 at 70K water pump just started leaking and we replaced it. Tech recommended about every 40K preventive mx on the water pump. This was the same on my 1990 Acura...Every 40k timing belt and water pump as well as my 88 928S4.
2017 991.2 Carrera 4 and water pump blew up at 26k ("pull over now and let car cool"), had to be towed to Porsche North Houston and part ordered to replace it. Not ideal...
2017 991.2 Carrera 4 and water pump blew up at 26k ("pull over now and let car cool"), had to be towed to Porsche North Houston and part ordered to replace it. Not ideal...
The shocking part isn't the water pump failing this early (happens since Porsche went to water cooling), it's that they had to order a part !!! A dealer that doesn't stock water pumps !!! Amazing !
Interesting and sorry to hear that. When i was under the car with a tech i asked about the water pump issues and showed me an updated part on my late model 18T. It has reinforcing fins on the corners where they are known to crack. Just curious if you saw the part that failed and when they started installing the more robust water pump.
photo of back side of water pump.
08-06-2018, 03:54 PM
