Mopar water pump alternatives?

Ericict

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Radiator is coming out for an overhaul ($103 at the local shop) this week and will be replacing the pump at the same time. Pricing is all over the board. Ive seen many on here say stick to Mopar, but the prices for those are way high compared to other quality units. In the past, Ive used ACDELCO and GATES water pumps with no issues and they both make pumps for the Jeep. Where have you guys found the best prices and any feed back on other than OEM? TIA.
 
I wonder who supplies the OE water pump for Mopar. That would be nice to know.
 
I wonder who supplies the OE water pump for Mopar. That would be nice to know.
That fits in the same line of thinking of believing that a manufacturer makes the same part under different names to the same spec. Generally that is not the case, but there again, you believe that Smittybilt winches don't suck, so there is that.

You ever look at a Wells TPS for an earlier TJ from the parts store? Same exact part number as Mopar, same exact connector, and in fact every visual detail is exactly the same as the Mopar because Wells makes the Mopar TPS. So why does the Mopar one cost more and the cheaper one from the parts store not respond exactly the same as the one from Mopar? The answer is very simple. When they make the TPS, they test them and the ones that fall within the narrower parameters that Mopar specs out go into the Mopar bin. The ones that land outside of that spec, go into the aftermarket bin so you can pay less for them at Autozone, Pep Boys, etc.. That isn't to say you couldn't get a Mopar equivalent spec if they have a really excellent production run and wind up with excess inventory over and above what Mopar can take.

There is also the critical thought process one can apply to the fact that GM made the Corvette and Chevette in the same year. That doesn't mean they are interchangeable, just that they are both made by GM.
 
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That fits in the same line of thinking of believing that a manufacturer makes the same part under different names to the same spec. Generally that is not the case, but there again, you believe that Smittybilt winches don't suck, so there is that.

You ever look at a Wells TPS for an earlier TJ from the parts store? Same exact part number as Mopar, same exact connector, and in fact every visual detail is exactly the same as the Mopar because Wells makes the Mopar TPS. So why does the Mopar one cost more and the cheaper one from the parts store not respond exactly the same as the one from Mopar? The answer is very simple. When they make the TPS, they test them and the ones that fall within the narrower parameters that Mopar specs out go into the Mopar bin. The ones that land outside of that spec, go into the aftermarket bin so you can pay less for them at Autozone, Pep Boys, etc.. That isn't to say you couldn't get a Mopar equivalent spec if they have a really excellent production run and wind up with excess inventory over and above what Mopar can take.

There is also the critical thought process one can apply to the fact that GM made the Corvette and Chevette in the same year. That doesn't mean they are interchangeable, just that they are both made by GM.

On my Subaru I found that the OE unit bearings were made by Centric for Subaru.

I was able to get them directly from Centric for a bit cheaper than I was able to get them from the Subaru dealer for. I guess I didn't realize that there was the possibility they weren't made to the same specs.

Here's a question for you: Once the OE Mopar water pumps cease to exist (which seems destined to happen sooner as oppose to later), what would be the next brand of water pump you'd use?
 
On my Subaru I found that the OE unit bearings were made by Centric for Subaru.

Centric doesn't make anything. They have stuff built by various companies or source them from various companies and in fact, they wind up selling OEM parts in their boxes for a lot of stuff.

I was able to get them directly from Centric for a bit cheaper than I was able to get them from the Subaru dealer for. I guess I didn't realize that there was the possibility they weren't made to the same specs.

Here's a question for you: Once the OE Mopar water pumps cease to exist (which seems destined to happen sooner as oppose to later), what would be the next brand of water pump you'd use?
Don't have one yet.
 
Centric doesn't make anything. They have stuff built by various companies or source them from various companies and in fact, they wind up selling OEM parts in their boxes for a lot of stuff.


Don't have one yet.

Damn and damn. I thought Centric manufactured their own stuff. Looks like I just learned something new.
 
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Where do you recommend to purchase the MOPAR unit? Those prices are all over the board as well. mrblaine, to your point about the TPS, I get what you are saying about specs and electrical items, have you seen this to be true on something like a water pump?
 
Where do you recommend to purchase the MOPAR unit? Those prices are all over the board as well. mrblaine, to your point about the TPS, I get what you are saying about specs and electrical items, have you seen this to be true on something like a water pump?
Not directly. I have followed enough posts over the years to note clearly that I'm not willing to chance it. No one pays me to take out one and replace it if it dies too soon. I never have a bad Mopar Part.
 
Not directly. I have followed enough posts over the years to note clearly that I'm not willing to chance it. No one pays me to take out one and replace it if it dies too soon. I never have a bad Mopar Part.

Fair enough. No one likes rework due to shoploss or part failure.
 
Not to confuse the issue, but...I changed a water pump out on my lj recently. I bought the Jeep a few months ago with about 55k on it. So probably the original pump. I was in a hurry, so I replaced it with an Autozone (lifetime warranty). The impeller on the Autozone one looks like an alternator fan, OE is a round, closed impeller pump. Are there opinions on the performance of the two types of pumps. In general, a closed impeller with tight clearance is going to pump more pressure, but perhaps not more volume. Also has anyone had problems with the alternator bolts leaking around the threads from the water jacket? Is sealant necessary?
 
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I’ve seen those metal impellers erode away to almost nothing. Probably due to lack of maintenance and/or incorrect water/coolant ratio. When my original pump came off, the plastic impeller looked fine. I currently have an Advance Auto Parts pump with metal impeller on it because I was in a time crunch and it was the quickest option. It’s been on 2 years now with no problems. I have a MOPAR pump on the shelf to swap it out with someday when I redo the whole cooling system.
 
Just replaced my aftermarket pump with a Mopar a few months ago. The Mopar one had a MUCH better casting and had the better impeller design. I think I paid around $180 at local dealer and I got an immediate 10* drop at highway speeds!

You get what you pay for

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I will have all the parts to start the system overhaul on Sunday. Its a one day turn for the radiator, and I will have the pump and all other items installed on Sunday so I will need to do is install the radiator when it is ready. Should be ready Tuesday or Wednesday.

I didn't get a MOPAR water pump, but went with a Gates. I know "you've been warned" but I have used Gates on many older cars (US and European) I have restored and never had an issue. The pump was $35. Ill post pictures after I remove the one from the jeep. At this point I don't know if it is the original or not; we will see. The TJ has 133k so it is very possible it is the original. I don't like rework but this water pump is very easy to get to, so I don't mind taking a hit for the team if need be.
After first viewing of the pump, it looks very nice as far as casting is concerned, although I'm more concerned about the mating surfaces and they look fine and are level. The box does state made in China, and while that does give me a small eyebrow rise, most stuff we buy is manufactured in China. Does the MOPAR box state where that pump is made?
 
Fair enough. No one likes rework due to shoploss or part failure.
Rework is a small part of it. The biggest part is I don't want to be any distance from home and need to deal with an overheat, failing pump, or other cooling system issue. I don't want anyone whose rig I work on to have to deal with that either and I'm the one that will get the first call. Not my idea of a good time, nor is it anyone else's.
 
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I will have all the parts to start the system overhaul on Sunday. Its a one day turn for the radiator, and I will have the pump and all other items installed on Sunday so I will need to do is install the radiator when it is ready. Should be ready Tuesday or Wednesday.

I didn't get a MOPAR water pump, but went with a Gates. I know "you've been warned" but I have used Gates on many older cars (US and European) I have restored and never had an issue. The pump was $35. Ill post pictures after I remove the one from the jeep. At this point I don't know if it is the original or not; we will see. The TJ has 133k so it is very possible it is the original. I don't like rework but this water pump is very easy to get to, so I don't mind taking a hit for the team if need be.
After first viewing of the pump, it looks very nice as far as casting is concerned, although I'm more concerned about the mating surfaces and they look fine and are level. The box does state made in China, and while that does give me a small eyebrow rise, most stuff we buy is manufactured in China. Does the MOPAR box state where that pump is made?
If you aren't driving around with any of the decent cooling system flush products in there now, you are running a high risk of lots of work and money without the full benefit of doing so.
 
If you aren't driving around with any of the decent cooling system flush products in there now, you are running a high risk of lots of work and money without the full benefit of doing so.
Im not, which product do you recommend? Still a fan of the Prestone slow flush?
 
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I use it because it is available and works.

Thanks, I will go get some today. How do you feel about leaving a product in the heater core over night to soak? I'm replacing all the hoses so not worried about them being damaged? Currently it heats like a jeep. Burns you out of cab in a few minuets.