Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Failed Water Pump

[danadj2]

I got to cash in on AAA today when the water pump went south. Called NAPA and a pump is about $61 and change. Is this about right? Anything I need to know about changing this out and is there anything else I should do while into it other than the serpentine belt?

 

[illflem]

It'll most likely be the easiest water pump you've ever changed. If it's getting close to time for a coolant change may as well do it as you are going to lose anti-freeze.



Changed the water pump in a GMC gasser yesterday, held on by 14 bolts with four different head sizes. What a pain.

 

[rrausch]

It's easy as pie! And $61 ain't bad at all. I paid over $110 at Moss Bros. Dodge when I needed one in an emergency, and didn't have time to find NAPA.

 

[RT66DOC]

Changed mine when I did the KDP at 100K. Was VERY easy with all the rest of the stuff out of the way - fan, hoses, etc. Paid about the same at NAPA. BTW, there really isn't a gasket, just a rubber seal. Before I put it on I smeared a little "Magic Lube" on the seal. It's a teflon based waterproof lube I use mainly to seal O-rings on the swimming pool pumps. Any thoughts about this, Illflem? Got it at Pinch-A-Penny for about 5 bucks. I don't know how well it tolerates heat but I always have some around and it seemed like an OK idea at the time. No leaks since. Not to say it would have dripped without it, of course. Oo.

 

[illflem]

Tom, Magic Lube is good stuff, I've used it on pipe fittings like compression repair couplings. Makes them a heck of a lot easier to push together.

Don't know if it's necessary on the water pump but it certainly won't hurt anything.

 

[RT66DOC]

Illflem

I have found several uses for the stuff - especially anywhere there's rubber that's supposed to keep water from going somwhere it's not welcome. Think I even used a little to facilitate pushing on new radiator hoses. Sure keeps the pool pumps from sucking air.



BTW, what happens when you hit 9000 posts? A trophy? A barbeque? Or does the big celebration have to wait til you hit 10K?

 

[danadj2]

Thanks for the input. I may just go on and take care of the KDP while I'm there. I'm running about 166k mi. now and all those graphic pics of the repair nightmare gives me the creeps. Where do I find the step by step way of eliminating that from happening?