Replace water pump as preventative maintenance?
 

So this spring I'll be doing a full cooling system drain and flush. I've replaced all of the hoses a few years ago but I realized that as far as I know, the motor still has the original water-pump on it. (1999, 135k miles).

While the cooling system is drained, should I go ahead and replace the water-pump or should I leave it alone?

As of now I have never detected any leaks, sounds or other malfunction with it.

Are their upgraded pumps that might be worth installing? I'm planning on keeping the Blazer for another 5 years or so and I do tow a boat with it.

Thanks

Wouldnt hurt, pretty sure you have to drop the oil pan for the water pump

You do not need to drop the pan to change the pump. It does however take longer to get to the pump than it does to actually change it lol.


If you have the extra cash then there's no harm in doing it :)




http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n...519_165838.jpg

Getting the fan off of the water pump is the hardest part (unless you switched to efans).

A well placed blow with an Air chisel , or chisel and hammer on the nut will almost always break the fan/clutch loose so you can pull it right off the pulley with ease. Also, I second blazenreds notion, pan does not need to be dropped for water pump...it does for the timing chain cover though.

Thanks all.

Didn't think dropping the oil pan would be necessary.

Any suggestions on the brand(s) of water pump to use or avoid?

LOL-ing as this is pretty much the same story with just about everything on our Blazers. It's getting everything out of the way first that takes time. :)

And the "I'm already dirty" factor. Come on Sister. Change the pump. The coolant drain pan is already under it. I'm fussy but I play in the snow and don't want to get stuck with the old emergency bag of walnuts in the console. They're not for eating, they're for catching something to eat.

If You intend to shoot them with a bow sling, You may consider using a Rusty Nuts too :D

Sorry, Just realized I was thinking timing chain cover is when you remove oil pan

Oh I'm not afraid of getting dirty. I like your style; bring something to eat or something to help you catch something to eat! :icon_hunter:

So now that I have my mind made up that I'll be replacing the water pump, any one have suggestions as to which brand to use? Is this an opportunity to upgrade the pump from OEM?

Local auto parts stores have re manufactured pumps for $35 and new ones for $50 with a lifetime warranty. I'm going new when I replace mine.

The factory gallons per minute is more than enough for the v-6. Most of them are the same pumps for a v-8. I look more towards radiator upgrades for increased cooling.

Thanks. Your advice is pretty much what my thinking was but since I was at it I didn't want to miss out on a useful upgrade or avoid installing a bad part.

I hadn't heard of any horror stories with water pumps and I had wondered if the ones on our 4.3l were the same as on the v8s. It's good to have that confirmed.

Heavy Duty Water Pump
 

So I found a water pump that is for severe duty if not higher flow rates. It is the Cardone 55-11311H. This is the description of the differences between the two models of the new pumps Cardone sells from the email I received from them:

"The 55-11311H has a ball/roller style bearing which is more durable, the 55-11311 has ball/ball bearings which is an OE design."

FYI, the part numbers for the remanufactured units are 58-521H and 58-521, the "H" referring to severe duty. I would assume the severe duty/service rebuilt one has the same upgraded bearings as the new one.