White Lightning gets new coolant and a new water pump today.....

[gsbrockman]

My 2018 RAM 4500 is at 148,815 miles and 2,630 drive hours. Since it was close enough to the 150,000 mile mark, I decided to go ahead and drop the coolant a little early.

A few weeks ago, I’d given some serious thought to simply going ahead and changing out the water pump as well.

My 2014 RAM 3500’s water pump took a dump (prematurely, IMO) at 94k miles. The Murray Temperature Control pump I replaced it with lasted 207k miles.

With that being said, and since previous pumps on the 3500 died on the road, I have decided to simply implement a preemptive strike measure and, if the water pump makes it 150k miles, simply change them every coolant drain & fill.

I used 3 gallons of MOPAR concentrate coolant (68163848AB) and three gallons of distilled water.

Cummins water pump # 5521882

I opted to remove the air filter box and the alternator for easier access to the water pump. I also separated the lower radiator hose, and it just about filled a 5 gallon bucket with old coolant. Cooling system capacity is 5.7 gallons if I recall.

Here’s a few pictures for those that are interested.

 

[gsbrockman]

And.....a few more pictures.

I’ll also note that there was not any noticeable play or wear in my old water pump.

Given the inconvenience factor, along with a tow charge for the truck, and a possible tow charge for the load I’m under, I’ll take a bit of time and deal with it in my driveway every 150k miles as opposed to dealing with a possible failure on the road.

 

[TFucili]

Smart move.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Smart since it’s your Business.

 

[nukegm]

excellent summary with pictures. always nice to improve knowledge by reading posts like the above. thanks, and cheers!

 

[Wayne M.]

Excellent show of “Preventative Maintenance” as opposed to “Crisis Maintenance”.

 

[gsbrockman]

Excellent show of “Preventative Maintenance” as opposed to “Crisis Maintenance”.

I like your verbiage........

 

[Wayne M.]

I like your verbiage........

Whelp, you tend to learn the difference when, over the course of decades when you witness one extreme to the other. If you want a fleet maintenance analysis, I’m your guy! I can’t say anymore.

 

[TFucili]

Doesn't look quite as easy as my '05 was. It took longer to drain the coolant than to change the pump.
Are you going to carry the old one as a backup? Nothing like a little more ballast to lug around

 

[gsbrockman]

I’ve thought about it. The plastic impellers don’t make it very promising to lug around, especially in such a great riding tow vehicle like a 4500 Cab & Chassis. I personally don’t carry any tools with me. What good is a water pump without about 2 gallons of coolant, if not more? More ballast!!!!! I am hoping that since the T51 recall fiasco, these water pumps will at least last 150k miles. As I said before......the one I removed was in great shape, may have even went another 148k miles......

 

[Wiredawg]

Good decision to replace it.

Old men have war stories, here is mine: I once had a 90 Toyota 4x4 3.0L six and was changing coolant, timing belt second time at 120K miles. The water pump is behind the timing cover and driven by the timing belt. I removed and inspected water pump... nice and tight no play, so though it would be good for another 60K miles for next timing belt change. WRONG. Another 10K miles and it froze up. Fortunately about two miles from home. I walked home, got the Ram and towed it home. I had an inclination to change it, and should have.

Cheers, Ron

 

[DonFitzwater]

Excellent show of “Preventative Maintenance” as opposed to “Crisis Maintenance”.

I prefer “Crisis Management”.

 

[TFucili]

I prefer “Crisi Management”.

I don't prefer it, but somehow it seems to work out that way, anyway.