My water pump gave up last weekend in a real convenient place. I picked up a new one from Autozone, but there were some noticeable differences from the factory one I took off and the new one. The new one has metal plate tack welded to the fins to keep the fins together in the event of a catastrophic failure (like my factory one had).

The fins on my OEM broke into four pieces one of which is sitting in the water jacket still. Not really sure how or if I can get it out. Any ideas? Now my truck runs about 200 instead of the steady 190-192 that it always ran before. Not sure if that is the new design of the water pump? The coolant I had to buy at Autozone (some Prestone whatever that says it works with all types of fluid)? Or if I screwed up the thermostat because the temp jumped to 240+ instantly when the pump disintegrated.

So what do you guys think? Should I change the aftermarket back to a factory one? Drop a new thermostat in just because it is cheap and easy? Flush the system and replace with Cummins/Mopar coolant?

Thanks!

 

Sorry I can't answer most of your questions......im still on my oem water pump. But I do know you are supposed to be running HOAT coolant.

Personally, I drain and refill my coolant......fairly often.......with Zerez G-05 and distilled water.

..

 

Yeah, the coolant was actually only about a year old. I plan on at a minimum replacing the coolant. Just trying to decide if, since I have all the coolant out, I should replace the thermostat and/or the pump.

 

I imagine that at least part of your problem is the piece you left in there restricting water flow. I would have done whatever to get it out before driving. Seen trucks driven with pieces still there. If that piece decides to come upart and you can have even more costly problems.

 

I replaced my OME water pump with one from Autozone......temp stayed the came.

 

Believe me, I did EVERYTHING I could to get it out. Actually called a mechanic I know at the dealer, he laughed and said it happens all the time and since it is heavier, it will stay in the water jacket and not cause any problems. I am thinking that the coolant is the problem. I might throw an new thermostat in there, flush, and replace with Mopar/Cummins coolant.

 

Hey Annabelle, what coolant did you use when you replaced it?

 

Mine did the same thing when i replaced my water pump...I used Hoat antifreeze and put a new thermostat, so i think it is the sending unit....it sends the volt-value to pcm and it sends to gauge. So im going to try that next....I did a check with an infra-red thermom....and found my gouge is about 7 degrees off.

 

did you bleed your head to get all of the air out????????????

 

The only way to get broken pieces out is to remove oil cooler. My water pump did the same thing. Found all the pieces stuck between oil cooler and cylinder block.

 

BigIron70, is there an approximate mileage or time period where one might need to consider changing the water pump to prevent this or is it one of those things that could happen at anytime?

 

+1

Looks like mine is pissing coolant somewhere and I'm looking into replacement options and tips.

 

Mine pump went 50 miles outside Yuma Az. At PEP boys, we found 4 of 5 blades from the old pump. The other piece is still in there somewhere. Put in new thermostat. PEP boy mechanic said not to worry about the piece...happens all the time.

Engine is back running at 180 consistent w/no load. Pulling the 5er in my sig up big long grades, it goes to 200-210...just like it used to.

Sounds like your "piece" might be blocking flow???

 

My water pump started leaking out of the weep hole around 160k. replaced it and temps stayed the same. .

 

Changed out my water pump today with a new one from NAPA and used NAPa extended Anti-freeze.

Took off in truck and the temp went to 245 and no heat out of the heater. HMMMMMMMMMM.

Cooled off enough to limp back home and was told that I probably did not burp it getting all the air out.

Sure enough, I opened up the radiator at the house, and there was no fluid in the radiator. I filled it as the truck was running with the heater on high and when it got full the heater was heating and the temp stayed just below 200 like it should. Road tested again and all is fine.

My waterpump began leaking fluid and making weird noise because the inner bearing went out.

It was a booger getting the new one on because it was front heavy and I could only get one arm down to put the bolts back in......

Learn a new trick with the serpentine belt....

Put a tie down strap on a 1/2 inch ratchet and ratcheted down to relieve the tension so I could get the belt off the waterpump.



water pump 50.00 bucks anti-freeze 10.95 a gallon.