Water Pump Failures

[jibbles44]

So the story goes like this (98' Boxster):

Two years ago after getting the car outta the garage after a 4 month winter I was driving on the highway and BAM smoke everywhere. . Goes to the shop, water pump is shot.. OK the car has 80000 miles on it, I'll fork over the cash to fix something that should last a while. .

This year, got the car outta the garage after another 4 month winter, had the 90,000 mile tune up, and not 100 miles after getting it outta the garage I hear a strange squeak / rattle / metal on metal noise. Take it to the shop and apparently its another water pump, the bearings are shot. Luckily the part is under warranty but its still frustrating.

I asked the service guy what could cause two water pumps to fail in two years, and he thinks its due to the extended periods of sitting the car does. He made this guess before knowing that in 2 years I've only put 5000 miles on it, but I still find it hard to believe.

Is it just me or does it sound really weird for 2 water pumps to go out in 2 years? I'm obviously gonna have another water pump put in, but does anyone have any suggestions on things I can have them look at or do to possibly prevent this?

- Mark

Edited April 16, 2010 by jibbles44

[number9ine]

For the first replacement, it's not unheard of on any car to have a waterpump go at 80k.

On the second replacement, it sounds like you got a poorly-made or poorly-remanufactured unit. Is it OEM? Do you frequently experience high water temps (above 190 deg. F) when driving?

Your car would have to sit for a very long time to allow the sealant to leak from the waterpump, and I'd suggest that many other things would quit before that. I certainly don't think that sitting would cause the bearings to pack up after 10k miles.

I'd insist on an OEM pump being installed, and if it fails again take your business elsewhere.

Mark

[JFP in PA]

I would also bet that the first replacement was not an OEM, but rather a cheaply made aftermarket unit. Not an uncommon problem......

[PTEC]

Seconded on the non OEM pump. The factory pumps aren't exactly robust but they should last 30-60K miles.

Edited April 19, 2010 by PTEC

[JeTexas]

When mine went out, I got a rebuilt pump from NAPA. It was creaking and leaking within 6 months. Like yours, I was able to replace mine under warranty, but it was a hassle. I won't stray from OEM on waterpumps again.