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It finally happened to me. The water pump on my 52k mile Cayenne Turbo started leaking at the front seal. Does anyone know if Porsche has updated the water pump to a later revision to hopefully improve longevity? It seems absurd 50k-60k miles is the longevity of these pumps. While breaking the front of the engine down I also noticed both idler pulleys are failing. Well, might as well do it right, so I ordered new Porsche pump, idler pulleys, coolant hose, serpentine belt, and new intake. I did the intake Y-pipe because I felt the cheap plastic used was bound to start delaminating and for $30 bucks its a no brainer, especially if it lasts another 10+ years.
Anyone else own older Porsche's? If so, is it just me or has Porsche material quality under the hood really gone down hill? The abundance of plastic used in these $100k cars is alarming. Thankfully, my car has been pretty darn reliable but the plastic everywhere doesn't inspire confidence for longevity especially if you are like me and keep cars a long time.
That's not a usual failure mileage for the water pump or idler pulleys. It's important to realize, though, that lack of mileage is just as hard on parts as high mileage, especially if driven in an environment with salt, heat, humidity, and cold like you get in MI. Cars that aren't driven much consistently show parts failing at half the mileage they normally do. 50K miles is pretty low on a car that's 10 years old.
I'm at 125K on the original pump and pulleys. I'd say most people are changing the water pump well over 100K miles, which is substantially longer than most german cars as they often get changed with the timing belt at 100K miles or less.
I'm not worried about the amount of plastic under the hood. If they made all this stuff out of metal, the car would be crazy expensive and heavy.
Last edited by wrinkledpants; 12-06-2015 at 06:40 PM.
thermostat failure is very common. 1st failed at 60k.
2nd failed at 110k. Did waterpump at this point with belt because it has to be removed to get to thermostat....do your thermostat as it commonly gets stuck open and triggers CEL.
at 115k did both idler pulley and the tensioner shock along with the tensioner pulley.
The left idler pulley is a pain in the **** as the oil dip stick is blocking the path....
If you considering an aftermarket water pump for your water pump replacement, PLEASE spend the $8 dollars for the Porsche genuine gasket.
About 18 months ago (and 35K miles ago), I replaced my stuck thermostat (and water pump while I was at it.) I went with LASO unit.
Few days back, I discovered a small coolant puddle on the garage floor, right in the middle beneath the front of the car.
I checked out as much as possible, hard to see anything, noticed little bit of fresh pink coolant around the top of the water pump.
After I removed the intake pipes and the water pump pulley, it became pretty obvious where the coolant was coming from. My analysis were correct.
After taking the pump out, I was pissed to discover this baked gasket.
PHOTOS: I actually saved the old water pump from the past. You can see the Porsche genuine gasket after about eight years and 96k miles, totally fine (TOP)
You can see LASO gasket (BOTTOM) totally baked after just 18 months and about 35K miles and the rubber was pretty hard. Some of it was left on the engine surface.
Simple job becomes a couple hours of extra nightmare. PITA to remove it, especially to scrape the old one off and clean up the both surfaces to reinstall. This time with proper OEM gasket.
The LASO pump itself is fine, the gasket total garbage.
For your own sake, buy a genuine PORSCHE gasket with any aftermarket water pump to save yourself the headache later. See the photos, the OEM one was fine after 96K with no leaks!!! Just my two cents.
I'd suggest to anyone replacing their pump - give the gasket a very light coating (more a rubdown) with silicone grease before installation. The gasket should then outlast the car.
I used an off brand for the rubber coupler between the main coolant pipe under the manifold and the water distributor on the back of the engine on the 955. It started leaking between the plies after only about 5k miles. Saving $5 on a seemingly basic rubber coupler cost me another $50 and a bunch of my time finding the leak and making the repairs. Never again.
I used a Laso pump and it failed after 10k miles. First Porsche pump lasted for 90K. Second Porsche pump (replacement for the Laso) is at 72k or so. I hope my experience was a fluke.
Finally happened to me. '06 CTTS with 101k and small drip from the front of the water pump. Only cooling system ever was of course the cheap plastic Coolant expansion tank failed at 75k.
Finally happened to me. '06 CTTS with 101k and small drip from the front of the water pump. Only cooling system ever was of course the cheap plastic Coolant expansion tank failed at 75k.
You haven't had the coolant Ts, coolant vent pipe, or coolant pipes fail? If not, buy a lotto ticket now!
12-06-2015, 10:07 AM
Water pump change observations
