Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Water Pump - How Long Do They Last?

[lbailey47]

I have a 98-1/2 Dodge 2500 Ram 24-valve diesel with 325K miles on it & I still have the original water pump on the engine. After 13 years & this many miles I'm wondering if I should just go ahead & change out the water pump. On the other hand, I'm wondering how much longer it will go.



My mechanic told me that the WP design on the 2nd generation is very durable, but he went ahead & replaced his at about 280K for good measure.



Comments???

 

[Tumbleweed]

Ibailey47... ... . Water pumps are very unpredictable, on my 96 CTD the water pump lasted 5000 miles, the replacement pump was still going at 180,000 miles when i sold it. I have seen this same scenario over and over again at the work place. You have done well at your mileage. If you travel far from home at all, i would would change it. All the more sweeter if you can change it your self on your own timetable... ... ED

04 3500 DRW 4x2 CTD 48RE LB DDP A pillar triple gauges Reese 20 k hitch All stock 31. 5 RLS CITATION Fifth Wheel Full timing allmost 14 years

 

[Hackamore]

Won't know how long it would have gone if you change it! Just saying...

 

[BIGNASTY]

Gee just my opinion but I think you might have got your money's worth out of that water pump.

 

[lbailey47]

BigNasty... "got your money's worth" ... . yep, but you know how guy's think... Hmm, I wonder if I can get 700 miles out of this tank of diesel??? :^)

 

[FourBarR]

Mine has 340,500K on original pump.

 

[fest3er]

BigNasty... "got your money's worth" ... . yep, but you know how guy's think... Hmm, I wonder if I can get 700 miles out of this tank of diesel??? :^)

I've pushed mine to 660 miles a time or two.



My 12V pump's original at 275K miles/13+ years.

 

[Silver Ratler]

The original pump in my '01 went bad at 85K miles ... ... . so I don't think I'm in the running for any longevity record!!



The only good thing about it was..... easiest water pump change I have ever done!

 

[AWeiman]

as cheap and easy as it is to do i would consider changing it maybe. my pump gave up with a little less than a 150k on the clock. it was not leaking or anything. long story short i was towing heavy when it happened and it made a heck of a mess under the hood and well antifreeze ruins altenators.

just my . 02, but impressive mileage on yours.

 

[John - K5AWO]

I'm old school. If it ain't broke, don't fix it until it is broke. Keep the antifreeze changed at regular intervals and that pump will just keep on humming.

Carry a spare in the toolbox and keep driving.

 

[KKlingbeil]

I'm with John-K5AWO. I wouldn't change it because I know how easy and cheap it is to change. I could do this in any autoparts store in about 15 minutes. 25 if it was spraying everywhere and you needed to powerwash the underhood area. I say run it!

 

[BIGNASTY]

BigNasty... "got your money's worth" ... . yep, but you know how guy's think... Hmm, I wonder if I can get 700 miles out of this tank of diesel??? :^)

Well I dont blame you for getting what you can out of a pice of equipment but the way I have always looked at it. It's so much better to replace it in a nice safe place that I have all my tools. And it alway seems to happen at the most inopportune time and spoil your outing

 

[ALepley]

Water pumps will last as long as you want them to. As long as you maintain the coolant and keep an eye on the acidity level and freeze protection.

 

[tempforce]

i would just check the bearing slop during each service and let it go. until you see a leak or bearing wobble. keep a spare/gasket and tools in the box. along with a jug of h2o coolent.

if you had to change it on the road. when you get home, flush the system, replace the thermo and refill.

 

[TboneMan]

BigNasty... "got your money's worth" ... . yep, but you know how guy's think... Hmm, I wonder if I can get 700 miles out of this tank of diesel??? :^)

Actually, I have one 776. 3 mile on a single fill (OEM fuel tank). I drove to D. C. from Syracuse and back via US 15 and other non-highway roads. I completely avoid I-81.



I replaced my water pump as preventative maintenance at 211,000 miles. I still had the OEM hoses too. Since I was going to replace the hoes, I figure I might as well replace the WP too.

 

[WaltHess]

I have gotten over 600 on a tank, but didn't want to push it any further than I did.

My water pump went at 239,000 will be replacing this week.
2001 3500 QC 4x4 6spd 4. 10's stock.

 

[wlowe]

I changed mine at 85,000 miles. It had been slowly dripping for a few months, then one day it squeeled for about five seconds after starting the truck so I replaced it. It went bad just a short time after I switched to Zerex G05 antifreeze, the stuff in the new trucks.

 

[monkeyman]

Get it From Auto zone, lifetime warranty!

Rick

 

[BLNRAY]

300,000mi,didnot fail,just replaced it.