What would you do????
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,484
Likes: 0
From: Nanaimo, BC
What would you do????
I am trying to strike a blaance here between 'preventative maintenance' and 'unnecessary expense'.
I've got a 91 Coupe, 71,000 miles. I bought the car and have been slowly trying to learn and work on it as I go...
I plan to take a fairly significant trip this summer - from Alberta out to the coast, Vancouver Island, etc.. probably about 1600-1800 miles and quite a few mountain passes by the time the dust settles.
As far as I know / can tell, both the fuel pump and water pump are original (70k miles). Now, from what I read on the forum, it seems that both of these components have, on average, a 60-80k mile life span.
My question is this.. Should I replace these parts now, while I can order the parts cheap and do the work myself...as opposed to running the risk that they might pack it in while I'm halfway between Grand Forks and Osoyoos, which turns into a tow bill, 50% mark-up on parts and an ugly labour bill.
It just seems to me that it might be the right time to replace these 2 components in particular.... or am I just being way too ****?
Have any of you guys replaced parts simply because you felt it might be reaching it's life expectancy, or do you always wait for it to fail?
TIA.
I've got a 91 Coupe, 71,000 miles. I bought the car and have been slowly trying to learn and work on it as I go...
I plan to take a fairly significant trip this summer - from Alberta out to the coast, Vancouver Island, etc.. probably about 1600-1800 miles and quite a few mountain passes by the time the dust settles.
As far as I know / can tell, both the fuel pump and water pump are original (70k miles). Now, from what I read on the forum, it seems that both of these components have, on average, a 60-80k mile life span.
My question is this.. Should I replace these parts now, while I can order the parts cheap and do the work myself...as opposed to running the risk that they might pack it in while I'm halfway between Grand Forks and Osoyoos, which turns into a tow bill, 50% mark-up on parts and an ugly labour bill.
It just seems to me that it might be the right time to replace these 2 components in particular.... or am I just being way too ****?
Have any of you guys replaced parts simply because you felt it might be reaching it's life expectancy, or do you always wait for it to fail?
TIA.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
Vancover Island, been there. Nice, pricey but nice.
The San Juan Islands are nice too even the Canuk ones.
Theres a diesel/steam locomotive that runs from Vancover/Burnaby to Squawmish and back its a nice trip. Don't sit in the open cars, tunnels.
Western Canada is well worth the trip. As far as fixing that which isn't broke........."If it aint broke, don't fix it".
Driving a car everyday is pretty good indicator of the cars reliablity.
I'm sure you wouldn't have a problem. Check out Lions Gate Park in Burnaby/Vancover.
Have a nice trip.
The San Juan Islands are nice too even the Canuk ones.
Theres a diesel/steam locomotive that runs from Vancover/Burnaby to Squawmish and back its a nice trip. Don't sit in the open cars, tunnels.
Western Canada is well worth the trip. As far as fixing that which isn't broke........."If it aint broke, don't fix it".
Driving a car everyday is pretty good indicator of the cars reliablity.
I'm sure you wouldn't have a problem. Check out Lions Gate Park in Burnaby/Vancover.
Have a nice trip.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 340
Likes: 67
From: Round Rock Texas
I am not sure about everyother L98 but mine has 143,000 miles and has the same fuel pump. The water pump was changed at 110,000 miles. So I say go for it. If you are going to keep your car order the parts but have them available to be shipped just a thought. 
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,348
Likes: 233
From: SCMR Rat Pack'r Charter Member..Great Bend KS
While those two components will likely last many more miles, the peace of mind you will have by replacing them will make your trip MUCH more pleasant.
Change 'em.
Larry
code5coupe
Change 'em.
Larry
code5coupe
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,484
Likes: 0
From: Nanaimo, BC
Thanks redwing... I actually grew up in Nanaimo (Vancouver Island), so I have seen and done it all in southwest British Columbia! It really is a beautiful place and I miss it deperately....
Most of my family still lives there - the trip this summer is actually to go out for my sisters wedding.
My dad has a medium blue 87 roadster (bought in 93) in Nanaimo so I'm looking forward to a little crusing with the old man, and get a few pictures of the 2 cars together.
Copperhead55... I have actually considered purchasing the water pump and fuel pump just to have them on-hand if necessary. Funny story - about 6 months after my dad bought his 87 he thought the water pump was packing it in so he bought a new one...but the waterpump just kept going. He took that damn water pump on every trip with him for the last 11 years until last summer and he forgot to take it with him when he and his wife took a trip down to Vegas. Lo and behold, the waterpump packed it in, and his was sitting at home on his workbench and so he had to buy one from GM.... Maybe I should just buy the one he has at home....
Most of my family still lives there - the trip this summer is actually to go out for my sisters wedding.
My dad has a medium blue 87 roadster (bought in 93) in Nanaimo so I'm looking forward to a little crusing with the old man, and get a few pictures of the 2 cars together.
Copperhead55... I have actually considered purchasing the water pump and fuel pump just to have them on-hand if necessary. Funny story - about 6 months after my dad bought his 87 he thought the water pump was packing it in so he bought a new one...but the waterpump just kept going. He took that damn water pump on every trip with him for the last 11 years until last summer and he forgot to take it with him when he and his wife took a trip down to Vegas. Lo and behold, the waterpump packed it in, and his was sitting at home on his workbench and so he had to buy one from GM.... Maybe I should just buy the one he has at home....
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 44,773
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From: 63.8% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
St. Jude Donor '08-'10
I replaced the water pump on my 90 at about 115K but don't know if it was original or not. I also don't know about the fuel pump but it's going strong.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,793
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From: St. Peters MO Sometimes you have to prove yourself by doing alot of killing or alot of dying...
I know this is another apples to oranges comparo... but my TPI Fbody had 150k on the clock on the same water and fuel pumps. It's still running with 197k on both.
There is the peace of mind thing that was mentioned earlier to consider, but honestly, these are things that can go bad at virtually any time. I honestly wouldn't worry too much, but that's just me.
There is the peace of mind thing that was mentioned earlier to consider, but honestly, these are things that can go bad at virtually any time. I honestly wouldn't worry too much, but that's just me.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 732
Likes: 2
From: Baxter MN
My '91 coupe with 89,000+ miles just took the wife and I on a little 1200 mile RT to see our first grandchild. Only problem with all-original car was that the positive battery terminal came lose and needed to be retightened in order for the car to start. To check alternator look for roughly 14.4 volts with car running. Check battery for 12.2 - 12.4 volts with engine off. I probably would not replace fuel pump or water pump until they died. And so far that hasn't happened.
Glen
Glen
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 323
Likes: 1
From: Muncie Indiana
Yup
Originally Posted by copperhead55
I am not sure about everyother L98 but mine has 143,000 miles and has the same fuel pump. The water pump was changed at 110,000 miles. So I say go for it. If you are going to keep your car order the parts but have them available to be shipped just a thought.
Buy the parts and pack them in the car in case you need them. Having said that I should l should say that this advise comes from a guy who has hauled, Points, Condenser, Water Pumps, Generators, Regulators, Well almost everything but a short block because I was afraid it would not get me home. I never had one of these parts fail but I did have a rocker arm on an MG TD brake in Canada. Had to rent a garage to store car hitchhike to Elkhart Lake for the SCCA races on the city streets find Wacky Arnold the MG importer for Chicago. Got the part I needed hitch hiked back to the car put on the rocker arm and had it running in about 2 hrs. I would not trade that experience for anything. I got to meet some of the finest people I had ever meant. Rented a room in an atic with army cots and meant Jim Hall (Chaperal) and his dad. Briggs Cunningham and others. What I am trying to say is that sometimes the bumps in the road are blessing in disguise. After all this is a car and would you be so concerned if the running gear had been put into a Camaro or Impala SS I think you would just gas and go with maybe an oil change first. 
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 398
Likes: 1
From: Kelowna BC
I think your dad's experience should tell you what to do. 
Just drive it and if something happens, deal with it then.
I would do all the fluid changes (trans/rearend/rad/clutch/brakes) if they have not been done before, and maybe look at the hoses etc.
Other than that, enjoy the drive.
I love the TransCanada. You could go that way and come back through the Okanagan.
RedWing 76,
"The San Juan Islands are nice too even the Canuk ones."
Those would be called the Gulf Island, and yes, like the San Juan Islands, they are great for boating, not enough roads for "Corvetting"
Fred
Just drive it and if something happens, deal with it then.
I would do all the fluid changes (trans/rearend/rad/clutch/brakes) if they have not been done before, and maybe look at the hoses etc.
Other than that, enjoy the drive.
I love the TransCanada. You could go that way and come back through the Okanagan.
RedWing 76,
"The San Juan Islands are nice too even the Canuk ones."
Those would be called the Gulf Island, and yes, like the San Juan Islands, they are great for boating, not enough roads for "Corvetting"
Fred