Unwelcome surprise
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 281
Likes: 32
From: Somewhere in the swamps of Florida
Unwelcome surprise
Went out to get in the car and saw this. After self administering an AED I was able to quickly determine it was coolant (and not oil). The shaft seal on the water pump had created a nice water feature in my garage.
Major kudos to Michael Cawley at European Auto Techniks for walking me off the ledge and getting a new pump, gaskets, surpentine belt (might as well change while I was in there), and the blood of a virgin unicorn (known as 3 gallons of Porsche coolant) within two hours of my call. He also took the time to walk me through the repair, including pointing out a few things to look out for during the repair on a 996 in his shop.
Not a difficult DIY except for the one bolt on the pump that requires 10" long fingers that are 1/8" in diameter.
Of course this has to happen two days before driving to Austin for the Tudor/WEC event at COTA. Fortunately all is well ... and the race weekend was a fantastic experience (including two "pace" laps around the track with 99 other Porsches).
Major kudos to Michael Cawley at European Auto Techniks for walking me off the ledge and getting a new pump, gaskets, surpentine belt (might as well change while I was in there), and the blood of a virgin unicorn (known as 3 gallons of Porsche coolant) within two hours of my call. He also took the time to walk me through the repair, including pointing out a few things to look out for during the repair on a 996 in his shop.
Not a difficult DIY except for the one bolt on the pump that requires 10" long fingers that are 1/8" in diameter.
Of course this has to happen two days before driving to Austin for the Tudor/WEC event at COTA. Fortunately all is well ... and the race weekend was a fantastic experience (including two "pace" laps around the track with 99 other Porsches).
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 6,022
Likes: 328
From: Overland Park, KS
Welcome Robbie. It's a good thing when your car breaks down in your garage - much better than had it happened on one of those parade laps with a vapor trail of steam.
Now, let's see some more pics of that car - and not just the back end).
Now, let's see some more pics of that car - and not just the back end).
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 12
From: San Diego CA
I just had a similar leak on my 986 while driving on a back road tour.
I had the time, so i did it my self.
The 986 has its own PITA for that bolt, only you have just 5 inches between the bolt and the firewall
Of course I also torqued of one of the bolts in replacing the WP. How the frack you can torque off a bolt at 7 ftlbs I'll never know
I spent ~ $360 for WP, low temp thermostat and 3 gal of virgin unicorn blood
I had the time, so i did it my self.
The 986 has its own PITA for that bolt, only you have just 5 inches between the bolt and the firewall
Of course I also torqued of one of the bolts in replacing the WP. How the frack you can torque off a bolt at 7 ftlbs I'll never know
I spent ~ $360 for WP, low temp thermostat and 3 gal of virgin unicorn blood
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 281
Likes: 32
From: Somewhere in the swamps of Florida
A few pics from COTA Tudor/WEC Weekend
A few pics from the weekend. In the Porsche Corral outside the Porsheplatz tent at turn 1, wife commandeering the utilility cart from the Tudor 911 & 912 paddock, and lining up for the parade laps near the main entrance.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 281
Likes: 32
From: Somewhere in the swamps of Florida
Rubik - Yes, very fortunate this happened when and where it did. Spent about $500 in parts and fluids and most of the afternoon in my labor.
Not sure of the miles. The car has 74K on it now however when I purchased it back in Feb, the PPI revealed that the engine had been replaced. I have called several dealers in the areas where the car previously lived (FL and OH) and found service records but no record of the engine replacement. I would assume the water pump would have been replaced with the engine so makes me believe the replacement must have happened early in its life.
A great mystery I would like to solve someday....
Not sure of the miles. The car has 74K on it now however when I purchased it back in Feb, the PPI revealed that the engine had been replaced. I have called several dealers in the areas where the car previously lived (FL and OH) and found service records but no record of the engine replacement. I would assume the water pump would have been replaced with the engine so makes me believe the replacement must have happened early in its life.
A great mystery I would like to solve someday....
