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Stock Water Pump Longevity

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Old Aug 3, 2012 | 12:26 PM
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Default Stock Water Pump Longevity

Hey guys, my water pump is going on 86k miles and I have yet to see a cooling issue with it. Yesterday was a hot day, oil temp was 220 and yet the cooling system stayed at 187. Thats with a stock radiator too. I was wondering if should leave it in till it croaks or leaks or should I replace it to be safe? For those who have changed theirs, how long did it last? Thanks.
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Old Aug 3, 2012 | 12:58 PM
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My friends 99 has 148,000 mi. on the origanal water pump.
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Old Aug 3, 2012 | 01:36 PM
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108k on stock pump with highly modded engine... I have a 160 degree thermostat and I run 178 cruising in summer 174 in winter and never goes above 210 when sitting. My oil and trans temp usually never exceed 210.

I took it off last week to replace my ac compressor, the pump is a PITA to put back on but can be done in the driveway. Changing the thermostat is very easy.
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Old Aug 3, 2012 | 02:44 PM
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Replaced mine at 80K because of leaking. I certainly wouldnt repair anything that wasnt broken, no reason to.
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Old Aug 3, 2012 | 02:46 PM
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^^^^^^^^^all the above...its a crapshoot
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Old Aug 3, 2012 | 03:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Vettmann17
Replaced mine at 80K because of leaking. I certainly wouldnt repair anything that wasnt broken, no reason to.
Me to 82k started leaking
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Old Aug 3, 2012 | 04:49 PM
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Mine lasted around 190k
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Old Aug 3, 2012 | 06:36 PM
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Well it looks like the majority of them last a long time. Good news because they arent cheap.
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Old Aug 3, 2012 | 06:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Vettmann17
Replaced mine at 80K because of leaking. I certainly wouldnt repair anything that wasnt broken, no reason to.
As the saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."


Another saying to pay attention to: When you hear a Texan say, "Hey guys, watch this!"......run like hell.
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Old Aug 3, 2012 | 08:33 PM
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Mine gave up the ghost at around 50k. Don't really think there is an average life for these things. It's the first water pump I've replaced on a car in 30 years.
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Old Aug 3, 2012 | 08:47 PM
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Originally Posted by C5Natie
Well it looks like the majority of them last a long time. Good news because they arent cheap.
I see them for around 80-100 bucks , that isn't too bad
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Old Aug 3, 2012 | 08:50 PM
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Mine is just about to hit 100k
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Old Aug 3, 2012 | 09:08 PM
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Originally Posted by slant
I see them for around 80-100 bucks , that isn't too bad

Hmm, i gotta do more shopping around because I saw a few for $130-150. Its not too bad but I was remembering how much cheaper they were on sbc.
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Old Aug 3, 2012 | 09:37 PM
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I wonder what the connection (if any) is between water pump longevity and people that switched their coolant over to regular green glycol. I've read that the GM Dexcool does wonders for water pump longevity and that switching over to conventional glycol coolant shortens the water pump life. Any comments?
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Old Aug 3, 2012 | 09:59 PM
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Ive been running distilled water with two bottles of water wetter for a few years now with no issues.
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Old Aug 3, 2012 | 10:00 PM
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Dexcool is an aid to longer water pump life as is any other "extended life" coolant, compared to regular glycol....all anti freeze contains rust inhibitors and certain lubricants, all of which will wear out in time, they just last longer in extended life coolants, hence the recommended change interval is longer....a water pump will pretty much always pump water, they just eventually leak because of bearing and or seal failure....because the rust inhibitors and lubricants dissipate.......if you change your anti freeze according to the manufacturers recommendation, the water pumps will last longer - so will the rads.... Or, you could do what's very common in the trucking industry - take coolant samples regularly, sort of tests the PH level of the coolant...and add additives as required ( nalcool etc) .... Anti freeze itself really never wears out, just the additives dissipate over time due to constant heat and cool cycles.....then you get the water pump leaks....
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Old Aug 3, 2012 | 11:11 PM
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I had to change the pump at 85,000 due to a leaky pump seal not too long after I changed and flushed the cooling system. I replaced it with a new after market pump. At 114,000 no problems.
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Old Aug 4, 2012 | 06:21 AM
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Originally Posted by C5Natie
Well it looks like the majority of them last a long time. Good news because they arent cheap.
depends on where ya buy it
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Old Aug 4, 2012 | 06:24 AM
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Originally Posted by dankhts
Dexcool is an aid to longer water pump life as is any other "extended life" coolant, compared to regular glycol....all anti freeze contains rust inhibitors and certain lubricants, all of which will wear out in time, they just last longer in extended life coolants, hence the recommended change interval is longer....a water pump will pretty much always pump water, they just eventually leak because of bearing and or seal failure....because the rust inhibitors and lubricants dissipate.......if you change your anti freeze according to the manufacturers recommendation, the water pumps will last longer - so will the rads.... Or, you could do what's very common in the trucking industry - take coolant samples regularly, sort of tests the PH level of the coolant...and add additives as required ( nalcool etc) .... Anti freeze itself really never wears out, just the additives dissipate over time due to constant heat and cool cycles.....then you get the water pump leaks....


tell that to the waterpump on my girlfriends 02...we just replaced the entire cooling system not 2 years ago and the fkin waterpump is weeping again.....this will be the 6th waterpump for her car....140K....my 99 is on number 2

I have seen people on here replace them with 15K.....30K....100K and others well over a 100K with no issues....

I have no freaking clue why her car kills waterpumps
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Old Aug 4, 2012 | 10:36 AM
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Originally Posted by pewter99


tell that to the waterpump on my girlfriends 02...we just replaced the entire cooling system not 2 years ago and the fkin waterpump is weeping again.....this will be the 6th waterpump for her car....140K....my 99 is on number 2

I have seen people on here replace them with 15K.....30K....100K and others well over a 100K with no issues....

I have no freaking clue why her car kills waterpumps
Usually it's belt tension , but not on a vette.
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