bad water pump?

[VolsFan]

Hi, my dad has an 03 3500 6 spd truck with 240k on it. He just called me about half hr ago saying he limped the truck home this morning gushing out water, said it appears to be coming from the water pump and not any leaking hoses. I have never changed out a water pump(on a cummins anyhow), my 99 still has original at 200k, does it require removing the radiator? If so, not a big deal, i have had mine out a few times, assuming it is the same way on a 3rd gen. I also did a search on the 3rd gen engine/trans forum and from what I gather it makes no difference whether I get a cummins pump or napa chinese knockoff? I am taking off work tomorrow to get this thing buttoned up and would like to be able to go to the parts store and pick one up rather than order one if it is going to be of the same quality. He has had the truck since almost new, bought it at 30k, only thing that has been replaced on it are the batteries and alternator, and a fuel pump, its a pretty rugged truck that keeps on chugging with nearly zero maintenance

 

[AEdelheit]

Super easy to change, loosen the belt, two bolts hold it onto the block, I believe they take a 10mm socket and it will come off, might be stuck to the block but shouldn't be too bad. As for brand, hard to say a good quality replacement should work well but the cummins is probably the best

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

TDR Issue 66, p. 104 covers the replacement of the water pump. It is simple: release the belt tensioner and remove the belt from the water pump pulley. Remove the two bolts holding the water pump and remove it. Clean the area and if in doubt whether the rubber o-ring will seal the pump to the block, coat it with RTV sealer. You don't need to drain the coolant, because it will come out the water pump hole in the block--just capture it in a big pan. Geno's Garage has a good deal on water pumps. I didn't have time to mail order one, so got it from Car Quest. I later got one from Geno's to carry as a spare.

 

[AEdelheit]

There is absolutely no reason to use any sort of silicone on a O-ring sealing surface, I use a
Little bit of grease to help the o-ring seat and never had a problem. RTV would just hide a problem until the most inconveinent time

 

[AEdelheit]

There is absolutely no reason to use any sort of silicone on a O-ring sealing surface, I use a

Little bit of grease to help the o-ring seat and never had a problem. RTV would just hide a problem until the most inconveinent time

 

[Prairie Dog]

There is absolutely no reason to use any sort of silicone on a O-ring sealing surface, I use a

Little bit of grease to help the o-ring seat and never had a problem. RTV would just hide a problem until the most inconveinent time

100% correct. Not needed and will just create a mess next time the part is removed.

 

[Wingate]

I may just go ahead and replace mine... while I dont have many miles, the factory one does have years...

Apparently there are some aftermarket ones that are build better than the factory one.

 

[VolsFan]

excellent, thanks for the advice, it appears that is where it is coming from and looks pretty accessible, i'll tackle it tomorrow. I didnt even think of genos for a water pump, the price looks good, I may go ahead and get myself one for when mine goes one of these days

 

[BIGNASTY]

Son got his parts WP, belt,Thermo, hose's from geno's not a bad deal all Gates

 

[RPosey]

I went under my truck to remove the belt. I use a 1/2" ratchet with a 1/2 to 3/8 adapter. When loose just slip the belt off the AC pulley. That is the easiest for me.

 

[Prairie Dog]

This is one of those times it's nice to have a Dodge Cummins.
My mechanic buddy replaces WP's on Durapads from time to time and always complains about it. You have to remove everything from the radiator forward and then pull the harmonic balancer to get the WP off. It's an all day job whereas he can do a Cummins in 45 minutes or less.

 

[mwilson]

This is the handiest tool I have found yet for dealing with belt tensioners on gas and diesel engines.



Works slick, $25. 00 well spent in my opinion.



Serpentine Belt Tool- Craftsman-Tools-Auto & Mechanics Tools-Auto Specialty Tools



Mike.

 

[VolsFan]

thanks for the replies, I just got back from changing it, it was simple, took not much more than 30 min. I too slipped the belt off the AC pulley. I got the pump from advance auto, $51, looks like good quality, still made in china though. (carquest was $68, made in taiwan) Also, thanks joe donnelly for the nice detailed write up in issue 66 so I knew what tools I needed beforehand. I really like these 3rd gen trucks, a lot more so than my 99 2nd gen I believe. If my wife wasnt so attached to my truck I would be in the market for an 03 6 spd 4wd. (my dad has zero interest in getting rid of his) 240k on the original pump isnt too bad, really only the third failure he has ever had on the truck behind alternator and batteries just recently being replaced/rebuilt, not a leak on the entire truck, and he pulls a big gooseneck flatbed regularly.