Electric Waterpump Longevity
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 403
Likes: 1
From: Merritt Island Florida
Electric Waterpump Longevity
Anyone have an electric waterpump on their engine that has lasted a long time? The local Corvette mechanic is telling me that it's insanity to install one of these unless you race your car.
Thoughts? Comments?
Billy
Thoughts? Comments?
Billy
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,296
Likes: 0
From: Largo Florida
To me the insanity part of it is not having a warning circuit installed with one. Mine saved me from overheating just last week when one of my relays that drives the pump went bad. I was at 210 degrees when my alarm went off. It took me less than a minute to pull over and shut the car down. The coolant temps got up to 245 in that period of time.
I would not run a electric WP without a warning circuit. I want to point out that there are two coolant sensors on my 96 (maybe the same for all C4s). One in the WP housing and one in the head. On the dash, the digital display shows you the WP housing sensor and the analog gauge shows you the one in the head. When an electric WP fails the analog gauge shoots to the danger zone while the other one changes very slowly so you may not even notice the failure if looking at the digital gauge before it is too late.
When a electric WP fails there is NO coolant circulating at all whereas a mechanical one there is. Usually the mechanical ones warn you by leaking.
I would not run a electric WP without a warning circuit. I want to point out that there are two coolant sensors on my 96 (maybe the same for all C4s). One in the WP housing and one in the head. On the dash, the digital display shows you the WP housing sensor and the analog gauge shows you the one in the head. When an electric WP fails the analog gauge shoots to the danger zone while the other one changes very slowly so you may not even notice the failure if looking at the digital gauge before it is too late.
When a electric WP fails there is NO coolant circulating at all whereas a mechanical one there is. Usually the mechanical ones warn you by leaking.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,430
Likes: 2
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,679
Likes: 1
From: South Amboy NJ
To me the insanity part of it is not having a warning circuit installed with one. Mine saved me from overheating just last week when one of my relays that drives the pump went bad. I was at 210 degrees when my alarm went off. It took me less than a minute to pull over and shut the car down. The coolant temps got up to 245 in that period of time.
I would not run a electric WP without a warning circuit. I want to point out that there are two coolant sensors on my 96 (maybe the same for all C4s). One in the WP housing and one in the head. On the dash, the digital display shows you the WP housing sensor and the analog gauge shows you the one in the head. When an electric WP fails the analog gauge shoots to the danger zone while the other one changes very slowly so you may not even notice the failure if looking at the digital gauge before it is too late.
When a electric WP fails there is NO coolant circulating at all whereas a mechanical one there is. Usually the mechanical ones warn you by leaking.
I would not run a electric WP without a warning circuit. I want to point out that there are two coolant sensors on my 96 (maybe the same for all C4s). One in the WP housing and one in the head. On the dash, the digital display shows you the WP housing sensor and the analog gauge shows you the one in the head. When an electric WP fails the analog gauge shoots to the danger zone while the other one changes very slowly so you may not even notice the failure if looking at the digital gauge before it is too late.
When a electric WP fails there is NO coolant circulating at all whereas a mechanical one there is. Usually the mechanical ones warn you by leaking.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,296
Likes: 0
From: Largo Florida
They last about that same from what I have read. I remember someone claiming the electric one would outlast the mechanical.
The warning circuit I use is from this site below.
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/khartn...02/circuit.htm
The warning circuit I use is from this site below.
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/khartn...02/circuit.htm
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,671
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
I've had my Mez coolant pump for 25K now and it still works fine. Our electric fans work fine and last a long time. I watch my gauges a lot and normally ride with the "gauges" and coolant temp displayed. I also ride with a spare jumper just in case the relay fails. That will get me home. I thought about a spare circuit in parallel that I could switch to, but haven't done so. I also thought a light showing the pump is on would be nice to have. I like the idea of eliminating the oil leak problem from the mechanical water pump seal. For over kill in preventive maintenance, I'll probably change it out at 50K. Then I'll have a spare pump.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 707
Likes: 0
From: Syracuse Utah
That's what they said about electric radiator fans when they first came out, now they're the standard. My mez has gone one year so far with no problems. By the way, nice color on the car.
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