water pump worries.......

[C58]

I just replaced the original water pump on my 99 Boxster with a pump that has a metal impeller. I also did the stat at the same time. Now I'm hearing horror stories about water pumps w/ metal impellers being the death of an engine if they fail. If that's the case why are so many brands of pumps offered with metal impellers? I've also heard that metal impellers failing is a rare occurrence.

Now I'm concerned that I may have made a mistake. I'm not looking forward to pulling a new pump out with a metal impeller and replacing it with one that has a composite impeller. What's the truth about metal impellers vs. composite or plastic ? Any real and truthful insight would be appreciated.. Thank you

[2248]

Hello; I used the search function on water pump metal impeller on the Pelican website and got over one hundred responses.

Here is the link: Pelican Parts Technical BBS - Search Results

Search is your friend!

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by C58

I just replaced the original water pump on my 99 Boxster with a pump that has a metal impeller. I also did the stat at the same time. Now I'm hearing horror stories about water pumps w/ metal impellers being the death of an engine if they fail. If that's the case why are so many brands of pumps offered with metal impellers? I've also heard that metal impellers failing is a rare occurrence.

Now I'm concerned that I may have made a mistake. I'm not looking forward to pulling a new pump out with a metal impeller and replacing it with one that has a composite impeller. What's the truth about metal impellers vs. composite or plastic ? Any real and truthful insight would be appreciated.. Thank you

We change them for a living, and would never use a metal impeller pump. First of all, they do not live any longer than composite impeller units, and in fact tend to fail sooner. Secondly, all of the horror stories you have heard a probably true; we have has several cars in the shop with engine cases that were ground away by failing metal impeller pumps. And in several cases, the unintended machine work resulted in the car having cooling issues once a new pump was installed.

Use a metal impeller pump at your own risk.

[Luccia at Pelican Parts]

The Genuine Porsche and Pierburg brands have composite impellers here: 1999 Porsche Boxster Base Convertible - Water Pumps. Either are good brands to go with.