The Porsche... She is a' Leakin'.

ldl · 06:50 PM

Hey folks, here's the issue at hand...

Well I was driving the 944 today, and I noticed it was running rather hot.

Got it home, and saw it was leaking some coolant.

While taking off the protective metal cover, I thought to myself, "I hope it's just a hose, or a clamp that needs to be re-adjusted..." However, when I took it all the way off, the coolant wasn't leaking from anywhere near the radiator hoses...

The coolant itself was leaking from the area right near the engine block and the belts... Since I can't describe it too well in words, I filmed where it's leaking from.

Right click; Save Target As... - to download video.
2.8mb - 46 seconds long.
Note: I apologize for slow download speed; however, I am hosting it myself. I am currently looking for a good free hosting service - my previous one changed their allowed file transfer size.

Well, let me know what you guys think.
Thanks.
Bye.

- Damien

Note: | 01/17/05
I have located a new free host, and have since changed the above link to the new address.

Wolf1 · 01-14-2005, 08:29 PM

Nice video!... and yes its slow.

My guess would be water pump.

AFJuvat · 08:33 PM

Double check the small heaterhose on top of the waterpump. Also double check the hose connection at the waterpump.

Otherwise, it is indeed a waterpump, and yes, your wallet will bend over.

AFJuvat

ldl · 01-14-2005, 08:46 PM

How long does a waterpump usually last? I am asking due to the fact that I replaced the water pump back in June 03'; with roughly 15,000 miles on it. Hmmm.. If it is the waterpump, crap; crappiddy crap.

Thanks for the help... Later.

- Damien

Chris_924s · Chris_924s's Garage

Water pump. open wallet and plan to empty. Get the updated Turbo waterpump with the NA block plate. Do the belts and seals as well if you cant remember when they have been done.

nathan944 · 01-14-2005, 10:10 PM

small hose on top of waterpump, mine did the same thing. Easy to replace. Weird looking hose.

ldl · 01-14-2005, 10:26 PM

Thanks guys; I'll check out that little funky hose also.

- Damien

bryanthompson · bryanthompson's Garage

Awesome work with the video, I get excited when people post pics, so, that is really awesome that you did that. Very cool

It's doubly cool since that seems to be my exact problem, same leak, but much much slower. If you put together a vid of replacing the water pump and doing timing belts... you'd be my hero, probably many others' too.

Porsche944 · 01-17-2005, 08:29 AM

I vote for a leaking water pump, but could also be the small heater hose, or a leaking gasket.

To get a better idea of where the leak is actually coming from, try cleaning the engine with a de-greaser, like Gunk Engine Brite.

Porsche944 · 01-17-2005, 08:30 AM

BTW: When you replaced the water pump, did you use a new pump?

ldl · 01-17-2005, 06:46 PM

Update:

Well... It's not the heater hose, so within a few days I'll be taking her back to my mechanic to see what the conclusion is.

Note: The Waterpump was replaced in June 03' - roughly 15,000 miles on the part - by the same mechanic I'm taking it back to. I am not aware if it was a new or rebuilt part that was installed. Checking my receipt, the waterpump is marked as costing $169.95. During the same visit to the mechanic in June 03', I also got the following repairs done: Front Flex Disc and Timing Belts. (This was a visit I remember due to the effect this repair had on my wallet; lol.)

- Damien

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Use caution here. If it is the water pump you don't want to risk it siezing up. If it does, you'll blow the cam belt, since it will be rubbing over the (siezed) water pump pulley and will rip apart in rather short order. Contrary to what's been said here, you do not have to spend an arm and a leg on this job. A good rebuilt pump should run about $200 or so, belts and new rollers about $150 and a front seal kit about $50. Cost of entire job (less tools) is therefore about $400. I use the Krikit tensioning tool (25 bucks at NAPA) and a pair of 11" 90-degree bent-nose pliers (about 15 bucks at any hardware store) works splendidly for holding those pesky balance shaft gears versus whatever it is for the pin spanner tool ($60 or something, I forget the cost offhand - point here is you don't really need it). Do the belts, rollers, front seals and water pump all at the same time and forget about your problems for another 2 or 3 years.

Tim Hancock · 01-18-2005, 07:05 AM

P-O-Phile,

Tell me about this krikit tensioning tool. How do you know what setting to use? I would guess that it does not indicate tension in the same numbering system as the Porsche tool.