jw1977

What are people's opinion on the Excellence article on the M96 water pump. They mostly talked about the 996 plastic pumps but they also talked about the metal 997 pumps. In the end they recommended replacing the pumps every four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. Are people really doing this? I've got an 07 Carrera S with 34,000 miles. I've had no problems but I am wondering if I need to get this taken care of?

helispud

I've got 41,000 miles on my 5 1/2 year old 07 997 base model. (With a 996/05 model engine.) After reading the article I checked out my water pump and it shows no indication of any leaks. I plan on changing the drive belt and the associated tension pullies in the next few days so I'll be able to get a closer look and be able to check for play in the pumps bearings. I plan on ordering a pump from Sunset or Suncoast as wellas 5 gallons of coolant so I have it on hand in case the pump starts showing signs of impending doom.

If it lasts till fall I'll probably change it proactively in October or November.

USMC_DS1

+1. There are a few posts on this even prior to the Excellent article. 52K miles on my '08. No leaks so far but I have a WP and coolant in the garage waiting for me to replace it along with the tensioner pulley.

Gizmogirl256

My used '07 C4S had been scraped over a curbstone or something damaging the mount where the water pump is attached. Upon closer inspection it had a slight leak. After reading the Excellence article and having 52K miles on the car, I went ahead and had mine replaced.

cibergypsy

I replaced mine this year on my 2006 Carrera S with 45k miles and it showed signs that it needed replacing. I plan on replacing it again at 90k miles - and every 45k miles - if I still own the car then. So far, this has been the only repair, besides the alternator cable, that I've had to perform on the car, as it has been absolutely reliable otherwise. My Armada has cost me a lot more than my Carrera on repairs!

Dennis C

I replaced the pump on my 996 proactively at 80,000 miles (I know, I probably waited too long). I plan to replace it more often as Excellence recommends. A new water pump is much cheaper than a new engine!

scb997

My '09 C4S's (997.2) water pump started making noises at about 24k miles. Basically, when I walked behind the car to pick up my mail, I heard a chirping sound which the dealer diagnosed as a water pump. At the time, in hindsight, I had smelled the coolant whenever I parked the car in the garage (but, it never showed up on the floor). They replaced it under warranty.
I'm currently coming up on 75k miles. I guess I'd better start paying attention, again. It will go in for it's 80k in a couple of months...

Scott

dw.metro

How much can i expect to pay for a water pump replacement?

cibergypsy

For me, iirc, between parts and labor it was between $800-900. YMMV.

Matt(inMA)

55k on my 06 and the waterpump gave up the ghost.

Matt

street rod

Mine was not leaking but replaced it proactively at 62k. Also had the new 997 water pump put in my 996. Total price for the job at my indy was $697.00

slicky rick

This is such a bummer. Water pump replacment aspartof maintenance. A first for any car manufacturer. It really seems that something drastic changed withnthe company's engineering team when the'996 came out. Ever since porschenhas been trying to "fix" design problems. My old mb has 250000 kms with the only major maintenance items being the injector nozzles every 65k kms. And its still running strong.

slicky rick

Anyone with a link to the article?

USMC_DS1

It's not too bad... it was common practice to replace the WP on the '98 M3 as a preventative practice.

gpjli2

Buy it from Suncoast and get the metal gasket. $240.