I was driving along yesterday about 40mph and noticed a few warning lights come on (! ABS and a couple others), so I immediately pulled over. My car is a 1999 911 C2 coupe with 74k miles.

Once pulled over, some white smoke was coming from the engine, and I noticed a trail of liquid about 20-30 feet long that ended up being coolant. A quick look under the hood showed some coolant splatter and a loose serpentine belt that had a little shred.

I'm going to go and get a belt and replace that and then fill it up with some water to see if I see a leak, but was wondering if it might be possible that the belt tore and lost tension, then caused the coolant to boil over and splatter? I read that it might be the water pump, but wanted to see if anyone had advice for other things to check and look at while I have the K&N intake taken off?

Thanks for your help!

Swaff

 

I would first check for play in the water pump pulley. I bet that is it.

 

Ok thank you, I will check that. If there is play, would that require a new water pump or simply tightening up the pulley on my current one?

Swaff

 

Probably the water pump. Mine went just out of no where also. It wasn't a bad job to change it,there is a good DIY on here or Renntech.org .

 

The water pump pulley does have some play in it and it appears that it has budged outward a little (towards the bumper) making it contact the metal frame going across from left to right in there. I can see the pulley is maybe a half inch out of alignment with the other pulleys, so im guessing it knocked out, causing a misalignment and shredding the belt while spewing coolant all over the place.

I managed to get the old belt (that was half intact) all out of there and get most of the shards gone. It appears there are some shards wrapped tight around water pump pulley. I guess I'll try to order one or see how much it would be to have a shop do it. I'm confident I could do it, but I don't have a lift.

Swaff

 

as mentioned above water pump DIY isn't too tough. but if you're not up for it, no biggie. just be glad that you caught it before it took a total dump on you, and think of the $ saved because of that.

 

Make sure you get a porsche original water pump. From my experience and what I have read any oe supplier water pumps are inferior. I installed a Laso water pump last year and the bearing has already worn out. I'm waiting for my porsche water pump right now.

 

Sorry to hear about this happening but just glad you caught it before. If you decide to do it yourself we have everything you need. For more information Click Here.

 

+1 to water pump, DIY, and getting a genuine Porsche pump. There is also a great youtube video of it (except for the part where he starts putting silicone adhesive on the pump, no need to do this, the gasket holds it just fine). Good luck!

 

Got the water pump with metal impeller installed as well a new thermostat (went with the regular one instead of the low temp). The plastic impeller on the water pump had shattered and splintered shards up into the thermostat. Also got the coolant flushed and replaced with Porsche coolant. Looks like the original water pump made it to about 75k miles. Now, I'm back on the road!

Swaff

 

Glad you got everything worked out and your back on the road. Happy motoring