I have a 1985.5 944 and had replaced the water pump around 110,000 miles, it was leaking slightly. The next pump lasted maybe 700 mile and went out with a leak in the front around the bearing. I figured a bad remanufacted pump and a new one was gotten under warrantee. After about 500 miles, now this pump is leaking and looks to be bad. Why is this car eating pumps? The mechanic is tightening using porsche tension tool. Help!!

 

The bearing is the weak spot in these pumps. If memory serves, there was a remanufacturing company (at least one - possibly more) using a heavy-duty shaft bearing sourced from Mopar of all places to solve the problem. Make sure you are installing a pump that has the heavy duty Mopar bearing and your problem will be solved.

 

I realize that the bearings would be a problem but even a cheaper or non Mopar bearing would last longer than 700 miles or the companies would be out of business. I wonder if another problem such as alignment of belt or a warp of something. Could there be something with the block or something along those lines? I am not a mechanic but it seems that water pumps would not go out in such short times on a regular basis. Thanks.

 

My guess is something else is going on. Does your mechanic work on 944's often?

 

Well, yah, even cheap water pumps, if installed correctly, should go 50-75K miles.

Take the car to a guy who does P-cars.

 

Just based on a few bad reman pumps, I won't install one for anyone. I'll lose a customer before I risk a comeback or my rep. on one of those. Even a good friend couldn't convince me to install one for him. Just as a note, I prefer the brand new LASO pumps that are made in Germany.

 

I have used HUNDREDS of reman laso units and never had a failure. In fact, the only failure I ever had on a waterpump was on a new LASO unit, where the bearing spun on the shaft.

 

Hmmm, never seen a reman LASO unit, just old pre update types spray painted gray with cracking thermostat seat sealsin them and such. Still not worth the risk of having to go back in there, been there done that. I speak from my own experiences, not someone else's heresay for what it's worth. I understand that others may have different experiences.