Preemptively replace water pump?
#16
Doing the T-stat and water pump is a must on a car with no documentation that has never been done . Water pumps are one of those things as they can go the life of the engine or fail prematurely. Replacing it regardless is a better option than having one fail when you are on the road and paying to have your car flat bedded to a shop for repair and then pay full pop $$ for a replacement.
#17
Racer
Thread Starter
Doing the T-stat and water pump is a must on a car with no documentation that has never been done . Water pumps are one of those things as they can go the life of the engine or fail prematurely. Replacing it regardless is a better option than having one fail when you are on the road and paying to have your car flat bedded to a shop for repair and then pay full pop $$ for a replacement.
#18
Nordschleife Master
Lucky for me I was just approaching an exit to a gas station with traffic moving. But imagine the same scenario being in the center lane in bumper to bumper, stop and go traffic with just three lanes. No way I can think of to get out of the way. You have to shut the engine down, blocking the center lane and then figure out a way to get a wrecker into that mess. Never mind the shouting, screaming and shaking fists as others pass you by
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KLS (08-16-2023)
#19
Three Wheelin'
My wife drives the 997.1 CS. Maintenance is done such that nothing fails while she is driving it. Two reasons: 1) safety on the road. 2) she does not know to stop when the car is sending up its signals like engine light, or overheating.
That car is now on its 3rd water pump, 3rd full set of pulleys, and 3rd AOS. All factory parts.
That car is now on its 3rd water pump, 3rd full set of pulleys, and 3rd AOS. All factory parts.
#20
I was planning on DIY my water pump at 60k, but the idler pulleys failed just prior to that. Think I had them do the WP while they had it. Which failed about 15k miles after that, just out of their warranty. ARGH!
#22
Rennlist Member
Replace your water pump and ancillary bits now. I bought my GTS with 63K miles and drove it over 500 miles back home. Got a PPI and there were no telltale signs of water pump failure other than mileage but by the time I got home, I had a coolant leak and there were white/pink specks on the undercarriage of my engine from the coolant. I just made it back before potential failure. It's relatively cheap insurance to get it done and as sandwedge states, this is one of the potential failures that will leave you stranded.
I have a 2005 C2S with 98k miles that I just purchased a month ago. I don’t have records as to whether the water pump has been replaced. I’ve currently got the serpentine belt off right now because I’m replacing the alternator and AOS. When I spin the water pump by hand it’s completely smooth and doesn’t have any leaks.
After I get the AOS buttoned up it’s going into the shop for a new IMS/Clutch/Rms. It’s an extra $1,400 to do the water pump and 160 degree thermostat at the same time.
So I have two questions:
1. Do these water pumps start to make noise before they fail (similar to how the idler pulleys will)?
2. Should I bite the bullet on the water pump and replace it now? Or wait for it or the engine to fail (whichever comes first) and just have it replaced?
After I get the AOS buttoned up it’s going into the shop for a new IMS/Clutch/Rms. It’s an extra $1,400 to do the water pump and 160 degree thermostat at the same time.
So I have two questions:
1. Do these water pumps start to make noise before they fail (similar to how the idler pulleys will)?
2. Should I bite the bullet on the water pump and replace it now? Or wait for it or the engine to fail (whichever comes first) and just have it replaced?
I have 72,000 miles on the original pump on my GTS and keep debating on whether to preemptively replace it out of pocket or wait for it to fail and have it covered by my extended Fidelity warranty like the one on the -09 C4S. Having to pull over roadside calling for a wrecker no matter where you are is not a great experience.
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jbl16 (08-15-2023)
#23
My indy shop is very good and I dont think they would install non quality or problematic parts. Ive been using them for decades.
So I let it go. Prolly look into it more if it happens again.
Cheers.
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FlatsixS (08-28-2023)
#25
Three Wheelin'
Did it make a big difference? Thinking of doing the same in the next year. My 2005 C2 original WP and thermostat (51k miles) runs at 215 -230 on hot days (80-90 degrees) doing sustained highway driving with some high rev bursts. My feeling is it should run a bit cooler. Note I have the Zunnsport grilles in place and the rads provably need to have a good bumper removal, etc cleaning, although they don't look bad from what I see of the AC Condensers..
#26
Rennlist Member
Did it make a big difference? Thinking of doing the same in the next year. My 2005 C2 original WP and thermostat (51k miles) runs at 215 -230 on hot days (80-90 degrees) doing sustained highway driving with some high rev bursts. My feeling is it should run a bit cooler. Note I have the Zunnsport grilles in place and the rads provably need to have a good bumper removal, etc cleaning, although they don't look bad from what I see of the AC Condensers..
Last edited by TerrestrialFlyte; 08-20-2023 at 10:33 PM.
#27
Water pumps are a roll of the dice some go forever some die prematurely ... on average most can easily go 100k . Always better to know that you have had one replaced every 60k or so ... The issue with our pumps are the impellers should be plastic and plastic tends to get brittle with countless hot / cold cycles so the pump may seem fine from the outside and without symptoms and the plastic impeller may be going south.
I have had good luck with Laso water pumps ..(just watch for counterfeit ones) and Pierburg both are OEM pumps.
I have had good luck with Laso water pumps ..(just watch for counterfeit ones) and Pierburg both are OEM pumps.
#28
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Water pumps are a roll of the dice some go forever some die prematurely ... on average most can easily go 100k . Always better to know that you have had one replaced every 60k or so ... The issue with our pumps are the impellers should be plastic and plastic tends to get brittle with countless hot / cold cycles so the pump may seem fine from the outside and without symptoms and the plastic impeller may be going south.
I have had good luck with Laso water pumps ..(just watch for counterfeit ones) and Pierburg both are OEM pumps.
I have had good luck with Laso water pumps ..(just watch for counterfeit ones) and Pierburg both are OEM pumps.
#30
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member