Water pump lifespan
- Thread starter xXDavidCXx
- Start date
not " normal" but I had the factory installed water pump replaced under warranty when my LJ had less than 20,000 miles on it
This is the link from my order.
Genuine Chrysler (5012366AF) Water Pump https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FZP1LT4/?tag=wranglerorg-20
I recently replaced my water pump with a Mopar unit from Rockauto($122 plus tax and shipping). The vehicle has 65k miles on it, the water pump i replaced was a mopar pump and honestly looked original. I replaced it with the new unit but i held onto that pump because I'm not sure it was bad.
There was no sound coming from the unit, and the impeller seems to spin freely without binding or wobble. The cause for replacement was a major coolant leak, and i think it may have just been a gasket failure.
I have seen someone ask on here if its possible for the gasket to fail before the pump, and they were largely told that if there's a leak then the pump should be replaced for good insurance. @Jerry Bransford i believe, said its because the pumps bearings are going out. However, I did a quick bench analysis of the old and new unit and I couldn't find a reason to rule the old pump 'bad'. So, I threw it on my parts shelf for a rainy day.
There was no sound coming from the unit, and the impeller seems to spin freely without binding or wobble. The cause for replacement was a major coolant leak, and i think it may have just been a gasket failure.
I have seen someone ask on here if its possible for the gasket to fail before the pump, and they were largely told that if there's a leak then the pump should be replaced for good insurance. @Jerry Bransford i believe, said its because the pumps bearings are going out. However, I did a quick bench analysis of the old and new unit and I couldn't find a reason to rule the old pump 'bad'. So, I threw it on my parts shelf for a rainy day.
Ordered October 12th, delivered for a total of $146.
I HAD ordered one on Amazon for about $175 through a third party vendor, Royalty Automotive Parts LLC, which never delivered. As soon as i got my money back from that, I saw the RA unit for $30 less and jumped on it.
KennethS
TJ Expert
Dang. I paid around $30 for a Gates water pump 3 or 4 years ago. Lifetime warranty from the local NAPA, just in case.
Last edited:
KennethS
TJ Expert
The life span is calculated by the RPM of the engine, the tension of the belt tensioner and the stretch of the serpentine belt and belt speed.
How long the pump will last is anyone's guess.
I guess it’s time to invest in a tension gauge, I’ve been tightening the belt by feel, and maybe that has contributed to an early failure.
I’m still doing it wrong, and a quick trip to Grainger and now I have a new tool.
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