Water Pump out at 81,700 miles

[APersondek]

Well I stopped by a fuel station today to get a gatorade on my way to the gym; I left the truck running (dangerous / expensive thing to do when fuel is 3. 99 these days) as I knew I would only be a minute and it had not been running very long and I wanted it to continue to warm up.



As I walked back to my truck I immediately noticed what appeared to be a steady drip near the front of the truck from underneath. I checked and sure enough it was coolant! [verymad] I opened the hood and seen that a little coolant had been sprayed around the engine bay thanks to the fan.



I jumped on my handy dandy mobile phone with an internet connection and found a dodge dealer with a Cummins mechanic within about 8 miles of my location. On a side note: the first dealer I called wanted me to bring it right in when I told them it was leaking coolant - however, when I told them it was a cummins - their response was ... . OH we dont have a tech to work on those trucks.



when I pulled into the service bay I could hear a steady squeal / wine of what I guessed to be the water pump bearing - the service writer also heard it and also seen the leaking coolant . the truck never over heated (outside temp was 45) enroute to the dealer and I probably only lost a few quarts at most of coolant. I will know more by tomorrow afternoon. lastly, I am glad this happened now as my max care warranty runs out at 85K miles...

 

[scootergmc]

Isn't the water pump covered under the 5 yr. /100k factory engine warranty?

 

[VolCTD]

Yes it is, mine went out at around 85,000 last November. The dealer had to look it up but since it is actually built into the engine it's covered. You also shouldn't have to pay the $100 deductable as long as it's less than 5 years since the original sale.

 

[JHardwick]

Mine lasted 360,000 miles before giving it up.

 

[CATCRACKER]

mine last to 90K. never having changed the coolant can be problamatic i guess

 

[Tejasdge]

Mine went at 80K or so as well. I didn't want the dealer touching my truck and spent about 80 bucks on the water pump and the properly flushed, replaced upper and lower hoses and belt. I figure I came out ahead just knowing what was actually done to it. Thought I saw water pumps real cheap somewhere lately. I tend to shop things that I have already fixed just to torment myself.

 

[APersondek]

I got a call today saying they needed to have the pump shipped in from out of state... they said it should be here tomorrow and if everything goes well... i will pick it up after work tomorrow

 

[RMalone]

It's nice to be covered by the warranty, but if had to wait 3 days to get it done I would just buy the $100 worth pump and coolant and spend the 20min required to change it, very easy job. Oh yeah, mine went about 80k mi also.

 

[AHofner]

Me too

Just had to chime in as well, mine actually went out on the one year anniversary of buying my truck and it had 82K on the clock. Happy Birthday! Talk about an easy fix though, I like it when the job is that easy and cheap ($60 from NAPA w/ lifetime warranty)

 

[MickeyMiller]

I took a short ride this morning... approx. 20 minutes. When I parked, I could see coolent dripping. Pop'd the hood and there was a little water on the top (!) and around the waterpump... figured the pump had died. Drove it home, no more leak! I drove it for an hour this afternoon and checked agian, no leak! Did I just get an alert that the pump is about to die (103K)???

 

[CToney]

Pump is cheap and easy to change. I believe the pump is the same on all 5. 9L Cummins from day one on. Take belt off, remove two bolts quickly remove and install new pump. If you are quick you don't lose much coolant. The previous owner replaced the pump on my truck at around 75,000 miles. On other trucks pumps have lasted over 200,000 miles.

 

[MStrain]

Mine started leaking a little at 20k, the dealer changed it out, I had it in for something else, it is a really small pump and the first one I think Ive seen that didn't have the fan clutch and fan attached to it.

 

[MickeyMiller]

THANK YOU FOR THE INPUT... ORDERED A PUMP TODAY EVEN THOUGH IT STILL HASN'T STARTED LEAKING AGAIN. Worth it for the peace of mind.

 

[JohnCooper]

My pump went out at 45K miles. $50 dollars from Pep Boys and 30 minutes to replace. It was a lot more convenient to buy the pump and fix it myself than to take it in.

 

[JCasper]

How much from cummins?



With all these little issues I am reading about I am starting to wonder if I should be carrying some replacement parts around with me.