Water pump covered under warranty? Yes it is!

[Crunch]

Just got back from a 1500 mile road trip and avoiding the recent Texas storms last week. It was still pouring rain as I was sitting in my driveway. I noticed the RPMs rev up to 1000 and sit there. I thought that one of the computers had gotten wet. High revs continued the next day, but only after the truck was warm. That afternoon I noticed the engine temp was up to about 220*, and by the time I pulled it over it was close to danger. AAA towed the back to my driveway. I called the dealer where I bought the truck and got a big, S%#^-eatin' grin across my face as he told me that the water pump is covered under the 100,000 mile powertrain warranty. I would have bet money the water pump was considered a consumable, like lamps and belts. I'm still smiling.



The only downside is that I was $81 out of the free-tow radius of 13 miles. And even though the radiator is probably dry (the fill bottle is), I'm hoping to gain some goodwill from the dealer by paying the $125 for a radiator flush and fill. I'm guessing that all it needed was a "fill", but what the heck. A clean radiator is a happy radiator. I also figured that since the truck has 95K on the clock I'll have them replace the serpentine belt and throw the original in the bed as a road spare, since there won't be any labor charge on that. All in all it will be just over $400 for the covered warranty repair. With only 5K left on the warranty, this is most likely the last warranty repair. Then I get to see what new tools I need to buy.



Can anyone think of anything critical that is related to a water pump repair that I should have checked while it is in the shop? I've generally kept a close eye on this truck, and have just now noticed the first crusties on the batteries. In fact, this is the only engine-related problem I have had.



And for what it's worth, I averaged 21MPG over the span of this trip, with 2000lbs in the bed on the outbound side. Kept it under 2000RPM whenever possible. It's interesting, but I haven't noticed a drop in mileage when hauling large loads in the bed. I've hauled at least a ton in the bed several times and I haven't noticed any difference than when running empty at the same speed. But the wind resistance of the trailer, empty or not has a big effect on my fuel economy.

 

[GaryOwen]

I noticed the RPMs rev up to 1000 and sit there. I thought that one of the computers had gotten wet. High revs continued the next day, but only after the truck was warm. That afternoon I noticed the engine temp was up to about 220*, and by the time I pulled it over it was close to danger.

Interesting statement about the 1000 rpm idle. Many 03's have had the higher idle during hot weather, but no positive explanation so far. Maybe this is an indication that the engine temperature activates the 1000 rpm idle?



Glad to hear you are getting water pump replaced under warranty. May want to see if they will replace alternator mounting bracket if it is cracked. (Early 03's had this problem before if was redesigned. ) My dealer wouldn't cover mine.



Gary

 

[DPKetchum]

All of them from 03 up high idle if getting to hot.

 

[CATCRACKER]

had mine done under warranty at 90k miles. i caught mine as soon as it started leaking. mine may have failed due to bad coolant.

 

[DE Jeeper]

I am probably changing out my wp this weekend. I noticed fluid on my hood from the fan throwing it up out of the weap hole.



The high ideal thing is interesting because the high idle might be an indicator of the wp going bad. I have 150k on my truck now. When I put the Smarty on I stoped getting the high idle, but that may be from clearing out the fan clutch code that I always get. I can not figure out the problem because the fan clutch operates properly. Another possible piece in the '03 high idle issue.



Aaron

 

[Crunch]

I hadn't heard the info about high idle in the summertime. I was kind of surprised to see it, but I'm glad it's related to the water pump. Just picked up the truck a couple of hours ago and it ran like a charm. Engine temp sat right at about 190*, and the tach at idle was exactly the 750RPM I know and love. No complaints about my dealer, either. Spent the extra $81 to have it towed out there, and got my truck back for $213. 70, including the serpentine belt and presumably a flush and fill on the radiator. Now I have an extra belt for the time I know the new one will break 50 miles from civilization, and another 80K+ on the new coolant. Not a bad way to end out my 100K warranty. It's a bit of a bummer to see the first engine related problem, but as problems go it's not a bad one to have. With 95K on the clock I figure my truck is right in the middle of diesel adolescence. I guess the water pump replacement is the equivilant of getting one's wisdom teeth pulled.

 

[Jumbo Jet]

Dealer replaced my WP on my 2004. I had to argue with the service manager. He made a photocopy of the page from my warranty information. He was charging me the deductible. I also had him replace the serpentine belt at the same time. I just turned over 70,000 when I noticed the small leak. Cost me $54 for the belt - that was it. Warranty charge to Chrysler was almost $700. What a rip!

I had read the warranty before making the appointment, because I could have changed out the WP myself for less than $100 in pump and coolant.

 

[MountainMan1]

The high idle is normal winter or summer if the engine is running warmer than normal while parked in neutral or park. Mine did this the same day after a radiator flush. Made me think they put the thermostat in backwards, used the wrong coolant, not enough coolant, or something! It was the fan clutch!



I might mention that the coolant system flush you thought would be a good idea near your 100,000 miles is actually a recommendation found in the trucks owners manual to be done every 100,000 miles.



As you'll notice my truck is a 2005. I took delivery in March of 2005, today it has 387,000 miles. I have towed with it commerically over 60% of those miles. I do the coolant system flush every 100,000 miles, change the oil with Delo 400 every 10,000 miles, never add any along the way, change the transmission, and both diffs every 30,000 miles along with greasing all the zerks. Checked the valve setting at 150,000 miles but they needed no adjustment, however, one rocker arm was slightly cracked and replaced.



I tow with a Smarty set with TQ Mild and SW3 along with the TST on 1/0. I have replaced the injectors at 250,000 miles. Replaced 2 sets of universals at about 100,000 mile intervals, replaced both front wheel bearing at about 200,000 miles, an engine rear main seal at 200,000 miles, rebuilt the rear differential at 350,000 miles while checking the rear axle bearing which proved to be okay, replaced front diff to transfer case drive shaft with CVJ's at 382,000 miles, new brakes at 351,000 miles. Last set of tires at 161,000 miles (Michelins), previous at 110,000 miles... same tires but had a dually tire unknowingly go flat while grossing about 25,000 pounds and wore it big time which upset the entire balance of wear. The transmission was replaced with the Sun Coast when it began to slip with an Edge at 90,000 miles after a Dodge rebuild. The trannys oil line broke loose due to an aftermarket very poor install of a temp gauge at 80,000 miles. Today that Sun Coast shifts the same as when it was installed.



You may wonder how I get those miles on my tires. While loaded I set the cruise on 58 MPH. If there is a tail wind and I have a very light trailer I'll bump that up 2 clicks to 60 MPH. With my fuel guzzling 4X4 I'll get and average of 10-12 MPG towing and 19-20 MPG empty usually cruising at 65 MPH and never over 70 MPH unless someone wants to play! While towing many of the same vehicles towing and even 18 wheelers pass me several times a day. This tire wear is not unusual within our RV hauling fleet with the Michelins with similar driving habits.



Some of the reasons I built my horse power up are that I wanted to cross the country in overdrive up the mountain grades while cruise is on, this should help keep the fuel mileage up. The enhancements also have helped the fuel mileage as anticipated. And I am an old hot rodder and have built many hot rods and Harleys. When gasoline went low octane I lost interest but when I discovered I can get even more horses from a diesel and that it only cost money, I was back in!