Hopefully this is simple to answer. I'm replacing my water pump and draining coolant from the plug. The process is very slow so I opened the reservoir to allow air to speed up the process. However, all the writeuwri never mentioned this. When I replace the coolant (man there is a lot of coolant--need a massive bucket) will the bleeder valve be sufficient to evacuate all the air? Why is it never mentioned to take the cover off the resevoir in the write-ups?

 

 

I disagree. I've bled my coolant several times and had no problem purging air by just opening the valve on the reservoir and running the engine at various RPM. Pelican Parts has a nice write-up on this that works great. It's an easy DIY requiring no special tools.

https://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Porsche-996-997-Carrera/29-WATER-Coolant_Flush/29-WATER-Coolant_Flush.htm

 

Thank you! I'm still busy with the water pump and the engine bracket. I have fabspeed exhaust and it's too close to remove a couple of the exhaust bracket bolts. I'll get it eventually, just taking my time and learning all I can about the engine.

 

While you can do it without the special tools, but it is much more fool proof with an airlift. Also much quicker with zero re-do. The trick is to drain the whole car from everywhere and there is a lot of coolant in that car.

 

 

Follow THESE instructions!

https://rennlist.com/forums/996-forum/737700-simple-3-step-complete-coolant-drain-updated-w-refill-procedure-water-pump-tips.html

 

I did mine without the UView and have had no problems, but it is on my list of things to buy for the next time.

 

Be careful removing the bolts from the water pump. There are different lengths for the bolts. What I did was place the new water pump on the floor and as I removed bolts I put them in the corresponding holes on the new water pump.

 

I used a cheaper version of the UVIEW from amazon:

Will never do the old method again after that. Nice to do a vaccum test on the system as well. Although, it's worth noting the vacuum does not help with missing hose clamps (for those that are reinstalling an engine) that will blow off when the system gets to pressure. Ask me how I know...

 

Been busy at work and haven't had a lot of time to work on the car. I tried briefly to remove the fabspeed x exhaust (a necessity for removing mounting bracket and gaining the space to remove water pump) but the bolts are so rusty, I'm waiting for a PB blaster miracle. However, I've never seen PB blaster work so more than likely will revert to heat and a few snapped bolts (already snapped one off a clamp). I plan on swapping the aos as well and I've heard that dropping the engine an inch is the way to go? Also, my desire to save money got the best of me and ai bought an aftermarket cheaper AOS... hopefully that works; but I'm a little nervous. These cars are pushed to the limits and require quality parts NOT made in China, but since the aos is mostly plastic I'm crossing my fingers.

 

I have a fabspeed exhaust and recently replaced my water pump. I will admit i am a mechanic and did this at work while on a lift. But i did not have to lower the engine nor remove any part of the exhaust. Just loosen the bracket. If your doing it on the ground with jack stand i can see how it would be easier but it is not needed to remove the exhaust itself. Their is a youtube video that is the actual service manual. It is a very good representation of what needs to be done. Not to say it will just fall out and be easy. But if done per the manual it really isn't that bad to do.

 

You probably won't heed my opinion, but, the AOS is a total PITA job....one that I never hope to do again with the engine in the car. Do not skimp on the AOS. It is an important engine component. It is very difficult to get a new one in. Get an OE Porsche AOS. You must understand that a knockoff AOS is not going to be equivalent to a Porsche part. Porsche does have quality standards for parts supplied from vendors to be used on Porsche cars.

 

The part is my biggest concern-- I will get the OE. When you replaced yours did you lower the engine? If so, by how much? I'm thinking I will lower it by just an inch or two for more clearance.

 

Thanks for the confidence boost! I am no mechanic but enjoy taking things apart. I do most of my own work on cars and after every job, even the ones while in process I thought I dug myself into a hole, I've always looked back and thought that, wasn't so difficult. Yes, snapped bolts and rust and space can make jobs more time consuming, but in the end it all boils down to "left Loosey, righty tight."