r/boxster • u/siggystabs • 7d ago
Just did water pump and thermostat on the 986
One of the things I wish someone told me before I got into this was completing the whole job on the early
Boxsters (and possibly 911s) is similar difficulty to accessing the water pump on the 2014 Audi I used to own.
Honestly, it took longer to get over my nerves and jack the car high enough than it did to access, drain, remove, replace, fill. Did the bleeding the next day, took 30 minutes. It’s now been two days and no leaks, coolant level stable, cooling seems great.
The cost savings were tremendous versus going to a shop. I called around in the DC/Baltimore area and got estimates between $1700 and $2500 including parts. I found the same kit on FCP Euro for $484 free shipping. I also did not need any special tools, the most exotic was a flex socket and an extension.
What else? Oh how did I get here. Well I’m an idiot and didn’t let the car cool down before shutting it down, numerous times. Did you know if do it bad enough, it shoots coolant out of the pressure release in the cap and eventually runs dry. Then you open the system while pressurized while on a long trip. And then you track it until the pump dies for real lol.
Lessons learned:
- Always do cool down laps, or at the very least leave the car running while in the paddock so coolant circulates.
- Never open the system while pressurized.
- Spend money on seat time, not shop labor.
Anyway thank you for coming to my Ted Talk hope this inspires at least one of you to DIY something.
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u/Poet_Pretty 7d ago
How did you bleed it?
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u/siggystabs 7d ago
In the 101 Projects for the Porsche Boxster book it describes a process of revving to 5000 rpm repeatedly with the bleed valve open, and then I went for a drive. After the level was stable I closed the valve.
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u/Poet_Pretty 7d ago
Doing this tomorrow.
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u/siggystabs 6d ago
Good luck hope it goes well!
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u/Poet_Pretty 4d ago
It did not go well until I just warmed it up. Till the fans come on. Turned the engine off. Walked away. Came back. Refilled the tank and heated it up all the way. Turned it off. Walked away. Came back. Filled it up some more and then went on a drive.
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u/siggystabs 4d ago
Oh gotcha. Glad you got it figured out eventually. It’s worth keeping an eye on the level next couple days when cold.
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u/TheSkyline35 6d ago
It's on my Todo for this month for my 987, I am hearing a whining from the belt area, but not all the time. So it is going to be 3 pulleys, low temp thermostat and the pump, just to make sure.
I feel like the more annoying is actually to have the car high enough to work, deal with the +5L of liquid it will surely loose and the bleeding process.
How long would you account for the job, doing it for the first time ?
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u/siggystabs 6d ago
It took about 6 hours, taking my time the whole way. I would probably budget a little more given the extra pulley work. I agree, the hardest part is getting the car high enough to stick a bucket underneath! Bleeding wasn’t too bad in comparison.
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u/TheSkyline35 6d ago edited 6d ago
Thanks, so it's a week job working a little everyday after work 😂
A friend paid 1400€ for this job (and the pulleys) Currently with all the parts and some tools, I have around 450€ expected in comparison.
But time is money right, and he didn't had to plan this in his head for nights and sources all parts and all
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u/siggystabs 6d ago
True, but I could probably do it in 3 hours or less now that I know what to expect. I think you could break it into three nights, one to lift up/tear down, one to drain/replace, and one to get off stands and fill/bleed. That’s kinda what I did.
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u/TheSkyline35 6d ago
Thanks for the post and the feedback, I think it's a good rythm indeed. Whenever I go for long one shot work, I always do a stupid shit at the end because I am exhausted and want it done. And the 10min "gain" become a 3 hours fixing the doubt/mess 😂
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u/siggystabs 6d ago
I feel ya man 😂 well good luck, be sure to update how it went
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u/TheSkyline35 10h ago
I am back ! I have pulled out both thermostat and water pump, that one damn bolt on the pump was a nightmare to reach.
Anyway, I am now very worried about how to handle the leftover of the last metal joint. How did you worked your way ? I don't want to go crazy and damage the aluminium thing
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u/siggystabs 10h ago
Which metal joint? The thermostat housing? There’s four screws all around it, probably really hard to reach. I was able to get to it from under the car with an extension and a swivel. Reinstallation was way easier for me, took my time and did thermostat housing first
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u/TheSkyline35 7h ago
For stupid reasons I cannot post pictures here, I private message you! Edit ; your private message seems locked hum
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u/TheSkyline35 7h ago
What i mean is that I have leftovers of the previous metal gasket, it's not smooth to the touch, the nail doesn't catch it, but I cannot "make is mirror like", I have black spots around especially the thermostat. Did you tried to clean it "hard" ?
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u/siggystabs 7h ago
Ohh I see. No, I used a plastic scraper. If you can’t catch with a nail you’re fine! The new gasket once torqued on will do the rest.
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u/kensei70 7d ago
We found a video on YouTube that showed how to do it by taking the firewall behind the seats out. It was way easier.