Boxster waterpump replacement

[curiousone940]

Anyone out there have any experience with replacing a Boxter waterpump??? Subject vehicle is a 2001 Boxter S....antifreeze pouring out of the waterpump main shaft seal. Are we looking at an engine drop, or can this be done with the engine in place.....what should be the general order of work here???? Sorry for sounding so ignorant, but I'm much more familiar with the 911. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[Tool Pants]

I have never done it but others have with the engine in place. You can get to the bolts from the bottom of the car and through the rear service cover behind the seats.

[curiousone940]

Thanks for the info...just knowing that an engine drop is not necessary is a big relief. I was not aware that there was access to the rear of the engine behind the seats...very interesting. I'll post next week on the actual process.

[Tool Pants]

This is it with the service cover removed. You can see the pulley for the pump. You are going to have to remove the cover to get the belt off, and you should be able to get to the top water pump bolts through there.

[curiousone940]

Mr. Pants--we are presently waiting for the new waterpump to arrive (hopefully by tomorrow), however, with the service panel removed, the old waterpump is just about ready for removal. Total time so far, about 30 minutes......looks like another 10-15 minutes on the bottom side, and we can proceed with the new one. Hasn't been bad at all....so far!! Thanks for the pics.

[Tool Pants]

Good, and if your report and pictures are good enough then post them here as well. http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?&act=idx

I have been told the impeller is plastic.

[Ferrara_racing]

Toolpants, is that the correct access to change the drive belt as well?

[Tool Pants]

Yes. http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=2325&st=0&#entry10610

[curiousone940]

The new waterpump is now installed and everything is secure during the warmup at that point (i.e. no leaks). However, I would be interested to know if there are any tips, suggestions, advice, etc. as far as bleeding/belching air out of the cooling system when refilling with antifreeze??? I would have preferred to use a vacuum system in this regard but don't have access to one. Would appreciate hearing from anyone with expertise in this area.

[curiousone940]

To conclude this thread, we located the bleed valve under the cover around the oil/water caps/dipstick, filled up the antifreeze reservoir, ran the engine up to operating temp and everything is back in order. All in all, the next time, this looks to be about a 1 1/2 hour job.