Flat6 Innovations

Do you know when it was built by chance? If I had to guess it was so late that it could have been a 2000.

Howaboutthat

Thanks -- glad I had my water pump replaced upon purchasing the car. Did your pump blow, or was it simply no longer pumping sufficiently?

Flat6 Innovations

Generally the pump doesn't have to fail completely.. It loses an impeller blade, that gets circulated through the system until it blocks a critical capillary that leads to the localized hot spot and the failure. This is how it is so well masked.

See the August 2012 issue of Excellence for a feature on this. I provided most of the data and info for the article.

Gonzo911

This is one of the best threads Jake has been involved in where he has provided concrete info as opposed to his usual mantra (compliment in there somewhere). Jake clearly sees a lot of failures in these cars and has noted a problem in the 2000-2001 models. I believe him. And they are not IMS related (refreshing).

And... Jake provided his advice. Change your water pump.. Since Jake does not sell a "Water Pump Solution", if I owned one if these model years, I would do it tomorrow as noted.

You can certainly have an issue with his point if view (as I have in the past), but I repeat, this may be Jake's most selfless advice to date.

My 2 cents.

Flat6 Innovations

Stunned.

Gonzo911

Could be the wine.

tokyopav

Do we know if the 2003 3.6L model has the same water pump issue or has the pump design changed?
Cheers.

Flat6 Innovations

After 2002 the head cracks are not as bad, since the 3 chain engines have a different head casting. The capillaries are larger and less constrictive.

We still see water pump failures in 02+ cars, but not the large amount of cracked heads.

But the 3 chain heads lose intake valve seats and break timing chains. They also have single row IMSB assemblies and are the most prone to failure.

The different years have different inherent issues that strike them.

pmkazz

The fact is, "no one has to listen to Jake"... Dont!! I have never heard him say, "buy from me".. He is identifying engine problems that he has encountered over his career. Listen to his advice or do not... Its advice based on experience. I cannot understand why individuals continue to "counter" Jake's "free advice" with their own... Please, except what he offers or dont, but stop trying to counter what he has experienced from real world scenarios...

Thanks Jake!!

fpb111

+1,000,000

tokyopav

Thanks Jake.

Dinicod

I'm new to this guys, both Porsche cars and this forum, so please bare with me... but it sure sounds like these cars have a lot of problems? IMS, RMS, AOS, cracked heads, broken water pump fins, broken timing chains... and the list goes on it seems. I love my car (so far), this is a great site, and the Porsche folks seem fantastic, but I almost fear driving the car. Besides the looks and driving characteristics, I committed to a Porsche because of my impressions of their high build quality. Was I wrong?

lordsinclair

I researched a LOT before I bought my first 911 6 months ago and due in large part to these forums and in particular Jake's patient and knowledgable postings went for a '99 car. As he posted recently, the 99's are the best kept secret. Cheers to you Jake.

pmkazz

Just remember, (1) we are talking about vehicles that are 10, 11, 15 years old, (2) how much abuse was put on the vehicle through its life cycle, (3) how much real maintenance was really performed, and finally, its a car. All cars break... If you purchase an older vehicle then be prepared to perform maintenance, repairs, etc.. Or purchase a new model under warranty... if you purchase any "older" vehicle then you should be somewhat competent in (1) either mechanical fixes yourself or (2) how the funds to have it mechanically maintained and repaired when required...

Dinicod---You were not wrong.. Porsche is a great car.

kromdom

my 2 cents: its the nature of the net. many post on forums because something broke and are asking for help. Very rarely do you see a thread/post that proclaims: happy owner here, no problems