Why should you replace your Porsche water pump before it fails?

The water pump in a Porsche engine is vital for its functioning. Failure of this component can lead to serious issues beyond just coolant loss or engine overheating. Worse of all, failure of a water pump can lead to cracked cylinder heads, which can be a very costly repair, easily exceeding $10,000. That's why It is very important to replace your Porsche Boxster, Cayman, or 911's water pump before it fails.

Key points to takeaway from this blog post include: 

·       Importance of the water pump replacement in Porsche engines.

·       Risks of water pump failure including coolant loss, overheating, and engine damage.

·       Issues with degraded composite impellers in Porsche water pumps.

·       Debris from failed impellers can block cooling passages and crack cylinder heads.

·       Advice against using steel impeller pumps due to engine block damage risks.

·       Suggestion to use low temperature thermostats.

·       Importance of proper coolant draining and filling to avoid air pockets and overheating.

In many Porsche models, the water pump uses a composite impeller which, over time, can break down. If the bearing of the impeller fails, it can create debris that circulates within the cooling system. This debris can obstruct the cooling channels in the cylinder heads, causing localized overheating. Such overheating often leads to cylinder head cracks, a problem that may not surface until months after the initial water pump failure and subsequent replacement. The cost of repairing or replacing cracked cylinder heads in a Porsche engine can be notably high.

Water pump replacement can easily be carried out as part of DIY preventative maintenance or by a Porsche specialist. What is important is that conducting preventive maintenance by replacing the water pump every 4-6 years or after 50,000 to 75,000 miles can help avert failures. This is particularly important for Porsche models like the Boxster, Cayman, and the 911 996 and 997 equipped with M96 or M97 engines, as they are prone to such issues.

Block damaged by failure of a steel impeller water pump on a Porsche engine

While it might seem advantageous to use a steel impeller pump due to its durability, its heavier weight compared to a composite impeller can actually lead to early failure of the water pump bearings. More critically, a metal impeller can damage the engine block, potentially requiring a complete engine replacement. Hence, it's recommended to opt for composite impeller water pumps for these reasons. Additionally, installing a low temperature thermostat during a water pump replacement in a Porsche is advisable for optimal performance.

Coolant Fill Lift Tool required for purging and filling Porsche cooling systems

It's essential to thoroughly drain the cooling system and use a suitable coolant fill lift tool during maintenance to prevent air pockets in the system. These air pockets can lead to engine failure or overheating, so proper drainage and filling are crucial steps in maintaining your engine's health.

LN Engineering offers specialized Porsche water pump kits:

·       Porsche OEM 986/996 Water Pump Kit inc. Gaskets, Belt, Bolts, Low Temp Thermostat, & Driven CSP

·       Porsche OEM 987/997 Water Pump Kit inc. Gaskets, Belt, Bolts, Low Temp Thermostat, & Driven CSP

·       Baum Porsche Coolant Vacuum Fill Lift Tool

Porsche Water Pump Kit including Low Temperature Thermostat

These kits include low temperature thermostats, initially developed for Flat 6 Innovations, and the Driven CSP cooling system protector. They also provide the necessary tools for proper water pump and coolant replacement.