Water Pump Life Expectancy

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Mar 10, 2004 | 06:46 PM

bandit_99

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Burning Brakes

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From: The Nether Region IL

Water Pump Life Expectancy

Question: I am about to pull the trigger on a cam only install and wonder if its worth it to upgrade the water pump while they are in there. I'm not looking at this for performance, but as preventative maintenance as my car is a 99 with 45K miles.

I'd like to save the $400 on a new pump if its not necessary, but at the same time, I'd be saving on labor since they'd have the old one off already.

What do you think? How long should the stock pump last?

Thanks,
Dave

Mar 10, 2004 | 07:08 PM

Evil-Twin

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From: small town in S.E Pa. PA

St. Jude Donor '03-'04

Re: Water Pump Life Expectancy (bandit_99)

Mine went at 40,000 miles... the pump is 250 dollars list... I had mine replaced under my extended warranty... cost me zero... there are peole on this forum with 60/70,000 miles on their original water pump..

Mar 10, 2004 | 07:21 PM

bandit_99

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Burning Brakes

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From: The Nether Region IL

Re: Water Pump Life Expectancy (Evil-Twin)

So it would not be out of the question for a failure....

I wouldn't put a stock pump back in- probably a Meziere- for an extra $150 or $200.

I'd rather spend the $500 on electric cut outs, but I guess the water pump is a better place to spend the $.

Thanks.

Mar 10, 2004 | 07:22 PM

leaftye

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From: San Diego, CA "leaf" "tee" "e"

Re: Water Pump Life Expectancy (Evil-Twin)

I think the electric Mezeire water pump goes for about $400, and will give you a few more horsepower.

Mar 10, 2004 | 07:56 PM

Monster231

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From: Chicago il

Re: Water Pump Life Expectancy (bandit_99)

what kind of symptoms does a dying water pump have

Mar 10, 2004 | 08:01 PM

leaftye

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From: San Diego, CA "leaf" "tee" "e"

Re: Water Pump Life Expectancy (Monster231)

You'll probably hear it going bad. I've seen pumps lose teeth, and it makes some noise. I don't know about the LS1, but some water pumps have a type of exhaust valve that spits out water if it goes bad. I've only seen this on the Ford Contour though. On my CRX, I knew my water pump was bad when I let the engine warm up, and the radiator fluid wasn't moving...can't do that on our cars though.

Mar 10, 2004 | 08:21 PM

Evil-Twin

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From: small town in S.E Pa. PA

St. Jude Donor '03-'04

Re: Water Pump Life Expectancy (Monster231)

Quote:

what kind of symptoms does a dying water pump have

first you will smell the dexcool... then you will see a slight weap (drip) then you will hear the fan belt squeek as the dexcool leaks on the belt... I think the jobber price for a new aluminum pump is around 149 dollars.. retail is around 250... its a 400 dollar job.. at the dealer...