[RANT] Stewart Waterpump - Bad experience
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
[RANT] Stewart Waterpump - Bad experience
I just finished putting my new waterpump in for the second time in as many weekends. Stewart really screwed me. How is it that some newbie like me can reassemble the entire intake, and install the waterpump, and have the car start right up, only to find that the only part they touched is messed up.
The waterpump was leaking past the gasket on the backing plate, in two places! Oh, and to top it off, some water made its way out of the weephole during the really really long 25 miles I've driven it this past week. I just spent the evening resealing it, and putting it back in. I have to get the car home asap, so I'll worry about exchanging it and installing it AGAIN at a later date. The only good thing is that I could probably do the whole thing in an hour now.
Oh, I also paid 10 bucks for a drilled thermostat from them. They basically buy it from a different company, drill holes in it, and don't even clean it out. Take your time to pick out the metal shards.
When I call them later this week, I'm going to demand a new (ahem.. functional) waterpump before sending mine in, so I can do the removal and install all at once, so I don't have to wait a whole week to put it back together. I'm going to cross my fingers that I can at least drive it home without it spewing from somewhere.
The waterpump was leaking past the gasket on the backing plate, in two places! Oh, and to top it off, some water made its way out of the weephole during the really really long 25 miles I've driven it this past week. I just spent the evening resealing it, and putting it back in. I have to get the car home asap, so I'll worry about exchanging it and installing it AGAIN at a later date. The only good thing is that I could probably do the whole thing in an hour now.
Oh, I also paid 10 bucks for a drilled thermostat from them. They basically buy it from a different company, drill holes in it, and don't even clean it out. Take your time to pick out the metal shards.
When I call them later this week, I'm going to demand a new (ahem.. functional) waterpump before sending mine in, so I can do the removal and install all at once, so I don't have to wait a whole week to put it back together. I'm going to cross my fingers that I can at least drive it home without it spewing from somewhere.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,506
Likes: 4
From: Vancouver,Wa.
Re: [RANT] Stewart Waterpump - Bad experience (CentralCoaster)
Ouch!! This is the first time I have heared anything bad about that company. I have The same pump with no problems..I am sure they will work with you to get the problem fixed..
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 14,130
Likes: 7
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: [RANT] Stewart Waterpump - Bad experience (CentralCoaster)
That suxs...and sorry to hear about that.Im sure they will make it right.Theyre a pretty good brand of waterpumps and you mustve gotten a defective one that slipped through the cracks of inspection.
Been through similar things in the past before as well.Installed a Brand New radiator once,filled it up,started the car,and all the coolant and water went everywhere.The rad. was broken somewhere inside the tank.All that back breaking work and loss of coolant and everything.
Lucky,the 2nd time around,everything was fine.
It happens and we would expect the parts to be tested first.They usually have a sticker claiming it passed a pressure test...what BS!!
Keep us posted when you get the new one and if they make it up to you.
:)
Been through similar things in the past before as well.Installed a Brand New radiator once,filled it up,started the car,and all the coolant and water went everywhere.The rad. was broken somewhere inside the tank.All that back breaking work and loss of coolant and everything.
Lucky,the 2nd time around,everything was fine.
It happens and we would expect the parts to be tested first.They usually have a sticker claiming it passed a pressure test...what BS!!
Keep us posted when you get the new one and if they make it up to you.
:)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,388
Likes: 1
From: X
Re: [RANT] Stewart Waterpump - Bad experience (CentralCoaster)
I think assembly line factory work is perhaps one step up from the pay scale of McDonalds. It was most likely put togther by a junky on a Monday morning.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Pasco WA
Re: [RANT] Stewart Waterpump - Bad experience (CentralCoaster)
Sorry about your experience... I just replaced my waterpump too. I thought about going to a Stewart but at the last minute I bought a Edelbrock. It bolted right on and (so far) is operating great. Changing it sure was a pita though wasn't it! Good luck.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 663
Likes: 0
From: Omaha, Ne GO BIG RED
Re: [RANT] Stewart Waterpump - Bad experience (ddsovy)
I hope I wouldn't have had the same experience, but just for my sake, I removed the backplate, made sure the gasket was good, and applied gasket sealer before I installed my Stewart Hi-Flo. Maybe it was something in my subconcsious telling me it would leak if I didn't... Sorry to hear of your troubles, hope they help you get it straightened out
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,146
Likes: 477
From: NM
Re: [RANT] Stewart Waterpump - Bad experience (CentralCoaster)
I put a Stewart on mine and did not have any problem. Cools GREAT! Nothing but praise.
By the way, think I would have contacted Stewart before posting anything here. Kind of getting the cart ahead of the horse.
tom...
By the way, think I would have contacted Stewart before posting anything here. Kind of getting the cart ahead of the horse.
tom...
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Re: [RANT] Stewart Waterpump - Bad experience (Tom73)
Yeah, I guess it would be wiser to contact them first... It's tough to hold it in when you're up at 1am for someone else's mistake, and they're not there to yell at. At least I didn't mess up, then I would have noone to blame. :)
I'm back home, and just waiting for my stereo to arrive. The car runs very cool anyways with that pump. They do have a 1 year warranty, so if that problem warrants replacement a few months from now, I'll do it then. I'll contact them asap anyways just to find out. THanks for hearing my rant.
Well, I'll be in the driveway waxin' bye.
I'm back home, and just waiting for my stereo to arrive. The car runs very cool anyways with that pump. They do have a 1 year warranty, so if that problem warrants replacement a few months from now, I'll do it then. I'll contact them asap anyways just to find out. THanks for hearing my rant.
Well, I'll be in the driveway waxin' bye.
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