Water pump, how long do I have?

[steved]

Water pump started dribbling about an hour ago... then stopped. It was actively leaking while it was idling... enough to puddle in a few minutes.



For the time being it has stopped completely? I fully intend to have it replaced when I get home, but I currently have several more days in North Carolina. Any thoughts on how long to complete failure? I have around 177k on it now.

 

[Motorhead]

As Clint Eastwood said... . Do you feel Lucky?? If you have any means to change it yourself on the road, I think I would do it. Generally when the pump leaks, the bearings are on their way out too. DON'T use any stop leak. Since it is winter, try loosening your radiator cap to the first notch so it will not pressurize. See if it leaks as much running. I guess what it gets down to is that a warerpump is alot cheaper than an engine. My $0. 02

 

[JBallou]

If no tools in your truck to fix, look at the tdr travel companion. Someone should be able to help. Takes less that an hour to change it.

Motorhead has a good idea with loosening the cap 1 notch, lowers the pressure.

 

[steved]

Well, I had it leak while sitting, then actively leak while idling... and then it quit leaking altogether. It hasn't leaked since... I have continually checked since we were doing a bunch of short trips... I have lost no coolant that you could tell...



I am fairly confident it was coolant, other than it was sticky. It was thicker and sticky... I thought it was PS fluid at first thought, but quickly dismissed that as the 3rd gens use ATF+4. It was also running down behind the crank damper, and thought oil, but it was clear (my oil is black). I also thought it might be the AC compressor oil (it felt oily, the reason I early on dismissed coolant), but its not coming from that area.



So by default, it could only be coolant... this HOAT coolant is still new for me, so I'm not sure what it looks like.



I also got paranoid after finding this and paid particular attention to my temps (I read directly from the ECM through the outlook) and nothing was odd... temps react completely normal, and run around 201 to 207*F. I'm going to continue to monitor it and check for leaks... if nothing, I will head for home Friday and have it changed next week at Cummins.

 

[lmills]

you going to take it to cummins Steve? It is a relatively easy swap out. Just 2 bolts with 10mm heads and a rubber oring gasket.

 

[TWhetten]

I noticed mine doing that when I filled up, It only tool about 4 hrs to completely go out, I started to smell it in the cab, then a started to get little droplets on my windshield. I pulled into autozone at the next town and swaped out for a new one in the parking lot, it only took about an hour, and the pump was only like $80. I'm not saying yours will go out that fast but when I noticed mine it went quick.

 

[MMeier]

177k on the original stuff?? Steve, Steve, Steve !! If it were me I'd change it now while it is somewhat convenient. 5 minute job!

 

[steved]

177k and it should go at least double that before giving issue...



I stopped at advanced auto last night, they did not list the part for a 04. If autozone has one, I'll pick one up just in case... I guess they come with the pulley attached? I know they are simple enough to change, just getting the time.



If its not leaking, I don't see the issue running it home? Not like I'm pushing it off, I just really don't have the convenience of the time to change it... I almost don't have time to sleep right now.

 

[steved]

Verified, its the water pump. Got a small puddle this am, must leak after it cools.



Can anyon verify the pump is available at autozone or similar?

 

[TimothyLong]

177k and it should go at least double that before giving issue...

I stopped at advanced auto last night, they did not list the part for a 04. If autozone has one, I'll pick one up just in case... I guess they come with the pulley attached? I know they are simple enough to change, just getting the time.

If its not leaking, I don't see the issue running it home? Not like I'm pushing it off, I just really don't have the convenience of the time to change it... I almost don't have time to sleep right now.

I find it interesting that Advanced Auto didn't list a part # for your truck. Mine failed in grand fashion this past summer with about 96K on it. Picked up a replacement at the Advanced Auto in Ellicott City, MD for about $50 and it has a lifetime warranty. I would think that same one that I got for my '03 should fit your '04. The new one should come with a pulley, at least mine did. Just don't forget the Permatex!

 

[steved]

Can anyone verify 03 for 04. 5?

 

[lmills]

Permatex on what? The oring seal is what seals it to the block. There is no need for permatex. Steve, I just checked quickeserve and the pumps are the same.

autozone has them with part number BWP-726

advanced auto has them with a part number WP726 but it has to be ordered on line

 

[Maverick]

steved dont run that pump to long the bearings dont have to be that bad before the pumps impeller wears against the block

 

[steved]

Great! Thanks for that!



I'll pick one up tonight! If I get a chance tonight, I'll install it at the hotel.



This thing is driving me nuts. Leaks cold but not hot (and with pressure)!

 

[CumminsBu]

Great! Thanks for that!



I'll pick one up tonight! If I get a chance tonight, I'll install it at the hotel.



This thing is driving me nuts. Leaks cold but not hot (and with pressure)!

Changed mine this last week, 30 min job. Drained about 5 gals of coolant out.

Flushed and drained. Added 2 Gal of Zerex G-05 and 3 Gal of distilled water.

 

[steved]

Ok, got a break... bought the pump and 2 gallons of preston "universal" antifreeze... it is supposed to be compatable with both normal and HOAT antifreeze.



The SAME autozone that didn't list the pump for my truck, also had the pump in stock. I also founf that particular kid was lacking in knowledge, because this new guy looked the pump and it listed the same pump as the 03.



So anyway, I got to leave it cool for a bit, then I'll go at it. Will post up the results later...

 

[TimothyLong]

Permatex on what? The oring seal is what seals it to the block. There is no need for permatex. Steve, I just checked quickeserve and the pumps are the same.



autozone has them with part number BWP-726



advanced auto has them with a part number WP726 but it has to be ordered on line

The one I got was the WP726 made by ASC (I think that the BWP-726 is the same thing). The Ellicott City store had it in stock. The impeller on this one has an interesting design. Most water pump impellers that I've ever seen have a flat paddle on the end of each blade facing in the direction of rotation. This one had had the flat paddles but also had a cylindrical ring welded to the ends of the impeller blades as well with the wide end facing the pulley. I'm guessing it's meant to assist with maximum coolant flow. But hey, it's working and that's what counts. As for the Permatex, when I took my factory original off it appeared to have had a bead of sealer around the edges. So I ran a small bead of Permatex Water Pump Sealer around the edge of the new one. You are right in that I probably didn't need to do that, but I had the Permatex on hand and figured that it can't hurt.

 

[steved]

Well, its done.



Couple noteworthy things:



First, none of you mentioned the fan shroud needed to be unfastened at the passenger upper corner, nor did anyone mention it will fold like an accordian! That took the longest of anything, figuring how it came out of the engine compartment!!!



Secondly, the pump I got from autozone was a different design than the OE. The replacement was lacking an internal cavity and the oe lacked the weep hole. The impeller was as previously described... cone shaped piece installed, which actually makes the pump more effective (this is a copy of some of the older chrysler ac/non-ac water pumps.



Took about 1. 5 hours from draining to driving. Not bad in a hotel parking lot! Took only 3 gallons of fluid to refill... probably could have reused the old stuff since I used a new/clean container, but decided against it. The old pump bearings were just a bit rough... the pump was definitely bad.



The new guy to our office has been riding shotgun the past couple trips, and while he admits not being car savy, was more than willing to help tear this apart. Its amazing how much even his holding a flashlight or slipping the belt off/on the pump made life easier.



We took it for a run, and everything seems fine... popped the thermostat at 212 and sat at 203 cruising... not bad at all!



Thanks again all, definitely made this a lot easier!

 

[CumminsBu]

The one I got was the WP726 made by ASC (I think that the BWP-726 is the same thing). The Ellicott City store had it in stock. The impeller on this one has an interesting design. Most water pump impellers that I've ever seen have a flat paddle on the end of each blade facing in the direction of rotation. This one had had the flat paddles but also had a cylindrical ring welded to the ends of the impeller blades as well with the wide end facing the pulley. I'm guessing it's meant to assist with maximum coolant flow. But hey, it's working and that's what counts. As for the Permatex, when I took my factory original off it appeared to have had a bead of sealer around the edges. So I ran a small bead of Permatex Water Pump Sealer around the edge of the new one. You are right in that I probably didn't need to do that, but I had the Permatex on hand and figured that it can't hurt.

The closed impeller will move liquid efficiently than a open impeller.
Looks like this:
The third shows the weep holes. Oem is on the machined surface by the gasket.

 

[TimothyLong]

Steve, glad you got it replaced! I didn't have to remove the fan shroud when I did mine, only the belt. I can relate to your new guy. I used to have to hold the flash light all the time for my Dad when I was growing up. Still, it's a pain when something like this happens on the road, but it's a good fix when you can get it done away from the comforts, conveniences, and all the tools of home.



Black Pearl, that's exactly what it looks like! Thanks to you and Steve for the info on that!