Preventive maintenance ? Other than IMS/water pump/AOS
03-12-2014, 04:26 PM
#16
Rather than just arbitrarily replacing the water pump, you may want to remove the serp belt and spend a moment verifying whether you can wiggle the water pump pulley from side to side. If the bearing is starting to go, you'll get some side-to-side play. If it isn't leaking and has no play, you're fine. It sounds like you've decided to replace the pump, but you need some way to gauge whether it (or its replacement) is starting to wear...otherwise, you'll just be chucking water pumps at it.
Once the bearing starts losing integrity and allows the shaft to rock from side to side, the impeller blades (as you know) get sheared off and may get pumped throughout the cooling system, so this is a part that needs regular observation. Once the shaft starts to loosen up, replace it. If a leak develops where the shaft exits the pump, replace it. If neither of these are true, drive it. Rapidly. With gusto.
Once the bearing starts losing integrity and allows the shaft to rock from side to side, the impeller blades (as you know) get sheared off and may get pumped throughout the cooling system, so this is a part that needs regular observation. Once the shaft starts to loosen up, replace it. If a leak develops where the shaft exits the pump, replace it. If neither of these are true, drive it. Rapidly. With gusto.
03-12-2014, 06:01 PM
#17
Pro
As one who has had a water pump fail while driving I can assure you it is much easier and cheaper to replace it at your leisure than it is to miss several hours work while you wait for the wrecker to tow your vehicle to the shop to have it replaced or home to replace it yourself, in addition to the inherent hassle that goes along with that scenario. By all means check the bearing as described but since you don't know the pump's history it might be prudent to "start from scratch" with your maintenance plans, assuming the wear items need replacing. My two cents...
03-13-2014, 12:03 AM
#18
Rennlist Member
Yup. Far easier to do it as preventative maintenance on your own terms. When I buy cars I always catch them up on any scheduled maintenance that I don't have records for, as well as any common issues that could potentially leave me stranded. As someone that actually drives their Porsche, preventative maintenance is far cheaper than it breaking down in another state.
