997 water pump and or gasket

Tamer · Apr 6, 2017

Hi,
My 2005 997 is occasionally 'peeing' after it comes to rest in the car park.

I think the water pump gasket has gone. The strange thing is, and as far as I can tell the leak isn't constant. This happens some time after the car has come to rest. I guess it could e leaking at other times as I wouldn't notice while driving but there are no obvious signs of this, for example no temp-warnings on dash and unless a discharge has taken place, the pink coolant level seems in range of max and min..

Sometimes I will come back to the car and find it sitting in a pool of water (mixed with coolant), which I am now carrying a gallon of in my frunk, to top up as and when this happens. It doesn't appear to be related to how the car is driven and happens randomly, sometimes it's okay for weeks other times a few days. Sometimes a lot of liquid other times a smaller pool.

I'm running out of spare-coolant from the 2 gallons since last OPC visit. Been a few top ups lately. So I looked into and found out that a gasket is roughly 40 pounds, the pump 500, plus labour costs either way.

I don't expect OPC will be interested in replacing the gasket alone as it is a relatively small job (perhaps I ought to ask) and possibly not something they do but I've been advised by a specialist indy to also change the pump together with the gasket, while-in-there. The bolts around it do seem somewhat corroded. So it makes sense and the pump has probably getting on too but, I'm not having any cooling or overheating issues at all and on the occasion when the coolant is discharged, topping up seems to fix the problem until next time. And I'm not convinced that it is necessary. The pump itself seems to be working and strictly speaking it isn't the problem. Or is it?

Thanks in advance for comments, suggestions and advice if you have any.
Tam.

C2dweller · Apr 6, 2017

I think it's much more likely that the pump is leaking from the centre seal. If it runs down the body it might appear to leak from the gasket. Its unusual to see a leak from the gasket TBH.

Also ... an Indy will be able to fit an OEM pump, which will save money for the same part. He might also give you the choice of OE coolant or stock coolant - a whole other debate...

Kind Regards Lee

Rodney Naghar · Apr 6, 2017

Try the coolant expansion tank cap first. It's prone to leaking. Replace it with the newest iteration (around £10) rule
out the cheapest possibility first.

martinbirch · Apr 6, 2017

When my pump started leaking it made a noticeable rattling noise, it didn't take long to change. I used an aftermarket item which has been fine.
Check behind the pulley to see if its leaking from the shaft seal, if so replace.

angusc · Apr 6, 2017

Don't go the gasket way, change the water pump and drive belt. The cost of the genuine parts is negligible and the result is complete peace of mind. I think it is you're water pump and center bearing seal that is the problem. At the OPC it's going to cost you around £900 and about £600 asst an Indy. You can do it yourself if your mechanically minded for the cost of only the parts and your own time.....Possibly around £250

Tamer · Apr 7, 2017

Thank you all for your comments, which have made me realise that gasket-only approach is not the right solution.

I'm confident that I could replace the pump myself but, I don't have a garage. I'm not keen on a 900 pound bill so I'm considering OEM.
@Martinbirch, you sound happy with your choice, how long ago did you replace it and can you say which one you chose please.

Although a quick search has come up with the following genuine one for 240 ( I assume plus VAT). Gasket for 7.95...
http://www.design911.co.uk/fu/pt878_882_-cma81-cmo539-ct540/Porsche/997-MKII--911--2009--/997-MKII--911--Carrera-2009--/Water---Coolant-Pumps/

I'm not sure how they can be genuine at that price if OPC charges 900 for supply & fit. Even Indy estimate of 600 seems high now but, I expect it's not straightforward and time consuming.

Thanks again for the sound advice, all.
BTW I drove to London and back after a few hours yesterday. No leaks and coolant level stable.

Lancerlot · Apr 7, 2017

You don't provide the mileage of your car and water pumps can leak after prolonged use, but this is usually a continual process and not intermittent as you suggest.

I assume you've positively identified the liquid as coolant and not the normal pool of water found beneath the car due to discharged aircon moisture?[

]
Regards,

Clive

martinbirch · Apr 7, 2017

Hi Tamer,

15 months ago, Meyle brand from design911 around £150 plus gasket and belt if I recall correctly, installed it on my drive on a dry day.

RCS · Apr 7, 2017

Some of the OPC cost could be coolant, not sure if they recycle, or replace. Porsche coolant ain't cheap!

angusc · Apr 8, 2017

Use a large washing up bowl to catch the old coolant, then filter it through a funnel and gauze before pouring it back in to the car system after changing the pump. Buy just 1 litre of Porsche coolant to top up the system and if you still need a little more coolant you can simply top up with water.
Keep the bowl underneath the car when removing the water pump, you will also need to force the coolant around tune system to remove any air locks from the front radiators.

I purchased a pump coolant unit from eBay to make life easier.

Tamer · Apr 9, 2017

Lancerlot said:
You don't provide the mileage of your car and water pumps can leak after prolonged use, but this is usually a continual process and not intermittent as you suggest.

I assume you've positively identified the liquid as coolant and not the normal pool of water found beneath the car due to discharged aircon moisture?[]
Regards,

Clive

Hi Clive,
I'm certain it's coolant as that's what I'm topping up after each discharge.
The water pump failure doesn't surprise me due to it being a 2005 model, I was rather curious about the unusual symptoms and just wanted to put it out there.
After the response I have had here I'm now looking into having the pump replaced.

Thanks again.

Tamer · May 13, 2017

My pump continued to discharge any coolant I put in that went above minimum line on the bottle neck. So I stopped topping it up and left it at that level, inspecting it regularly. it stopped discharging and the level didn't go any lower than min.

I have since found out that it takes 11lt of coolant. So if 1 or 2 litres were discharged at most, it wouldn't be the end of the world, given col weather and just casual driving in and around the city.

I watched the temperature gauge closely and it remained normal throughout (with say 9lt or 80% of recommended volume of coolant). The gauge never passed normal position of 110 degC ish, even during queues in town traffic.

That discovery gave me some breathing space to get things organised. I even got under contemplating a DIY but I seriously don't like working upside down or in confined spaces... May be in a pit but beneath a car on ramps is not in my comfort zone... So, I opted to let an experienced Porsche mechanic take car of it. The labour cost was approx 180 pounds and that seemed reasonable, other costs include coolant and the replacement pump which cost 220 incl.VAT.

I'm so relieved..
Thanks for all the advice, which I value and have used to quickly get to the best possible solution.

New clutch, new shocks, new discs, brakes, ignition coils, steering rack, wheels, tyres, service, MOT with no advisories.
This car is getting better with age..

Tamer · May 13, 2017

The leak was definitely from the water pump. I was sure of that. I just didn't know whether it was a gasket issue or the pump. The general consensus was to change the pump and I couldn't justify anything else particularly given that oversight of poor cooling could lead to other problems so I needed to nip it in the bud.

Cheers.