Maintenance question. On our 996 when should the water pump be charged? Upon failer or at a certain mile interval? Mine is 17 years old with 83K. It isn't leaking or overheating but I'm curious if it's one of those if it ain't broke don't fix it.

 

I just changed mine two days ago. The car is 21 years old & 42K miles. AFAIK mine had never been changed. I know the PO didn't do it. It looked perfect when I took it out. No noise, wobbles or broken vanes. Go figure.

Water pumps can be a weak spot on these cars. A lot of people say they should be changed every 3 years. I think that's a little overboard but unfortunately they aren't one of those "if it ain't broke don't fix it" items.

 

I replaced my original one last month at 53k miles along with the low temp stat. It was perfect, no leaks or looseness but I've read they have around a 50k mile life or so and it's not good when they fail.

 

My original water pump was replaced in 2013(11 years old) @ 33K miles when The IMS Solution was installed.
I replaced it in January 2019 at 66K miles.
I’ll probably replace it in 2 years if I don’t have my engine rebuilt before then.

 

Change it now. It's not expensive if you do it yourself. Even if you pay to have it done it's far cheaper than replacing an engine. A quirk of our cars is that a bad water pump can take out an engine.
Mine was first changed about 15 years into its life. I had no issues but you could definitely feel the difference between the old and new when I spun them by hand.

 

Mine was changed at @51k miles and 10 years old when it failed(leaking).

 

These water pumps fail. I picked up my 996 this year. Drove it about 5K miles. I'll be replacing the water pump in the spring before summer season.

best

 

Mine was replaced around 73K miles. No leaks, but was making odd noise that could only be heard by me. Was not loud, but was audible noise that followed rpm change.

 

Yes, flush out the old coolant, along with a low-temperature LN thermostat and hoses....and while you are at it check out the coolant expansion tank. If it is yellow do not let it mellow as they are notorious for leaking.

 

My 99 is getting up to 155,000 KM (100K ish miles). Unsure if the pump has been replaced, so I will be looking at doing that job before driving season resumes in the spring.

Is there a recommended replacement, or preferably an improved version?


jb

 

Mine was leaking at 28K miles. You never know with mechanicals.

 

Pierburg. If you intend to make it a routine maintenance item, buy from FCP Euro for the free lifetime replacement.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/por...008314#fitment

 

Thanks

I will explore them some. Free replacement is nice, even better if they include those cars here in Canada.

Cheers

jb

 

Another vote for water pump being fairly easy to do. I like the airlift vacuum fill tool. I also went with a LN low temp stat. New belt as well.

 

I warning about the low temp thermostat. I've tried this in my car and I took it out rather quick.

If your cooling system is working properly your engine will run at roughly 70c(thermostat opening temp) if the ambient temp go down to/below 10c(roughly) and normal driving. That is too cold, you will accelerate engine wear. Google and you will find 1000s of reason why. I see no good reason for a stock/original car to have a low temp thermostat. And yes, I've read all the infomercial about it.

If you still want to get a low temp thermostat don't buy the Wahler brand, mine failed and prevented it from opening fully.