My water pump took a dump on I-40.

Post by **rspi** » 20 Jul 2014, 00:18

In on the tail end of my 3rd cross country trip and I exit Arkansas on I-40, about 30 miles into Oklahoma and I notice my temp dropping from around 209° (strange for highway crushing speed). As I scan my dash I notice the low coolant light is on. The temp is fine so I don't panic, take the rest stop exit right before Sallisaw to check it out. Open the hood,sure nuf it's low. So I'm on the ground looking for coolant and I see some on the passenger side frame. Pop the timing belt cover and there is coolant everywhere. I also notice that my timing belt is tracking about 1/4" off the water pump and tensioner roller. Yikes!

Decided to roll the dice and drove to the nearest AutoZone to see if they had a pump, they did not but got me one delivered in an hour. Close call, I really feel blessed.

No I did not change the pump at my last timing belt change. I was planning to change it in 20,000 miles.

Post by **abscate** » 20 Jul 2014, 05:19

How many miles are on the beast, Robert?

If I saw the timing belt off track, I wouldn't start the car again until a TB job was done, yikes. Way to live on the edge, brother.

Post by **rspi** » 20 Jul 2014, 07:04

It has 259,000. I had no water pump history so it was likely original.

It didn't hit me that the belt was off track until I pulled it off. My brain probably blocked it out so I wouldn't get scared to drive it to the store. Lol

Post by **mecheng** » 20 Jul 2014, 08:18

That is insanely impressive for an original water pump, 420,000 km; and you live in a hot climate. The cooling system on these cars have rugged rads and wp. It's the small things like reservoir which I've changed, and heater core which are weak but easy to change.

Post by **cn90** » 20 Jul 2014, 08:42

Get the Aisin.
The Duralast WP has its own issues.

Post by **dosbricks** » 20 Jul 2014, 13:32

Good for you, Robert! Bringing 'er in on a wing and a prayer is not bad when you know whose wing.

Post by **rspi** » 20 Jul 2014, 17:25

Do you guys think I should ride this pump out to see how long it last?

Post by **abscate** » 20 Jul 2014, 17:31

Anyone who answers 'yes' will be billed 1000 usd for Roberts next head job

Post by **Matty Moo** » 20 Jul 2014, 19:27

rspi wrote:Do you guys think I should ride this pump out to see how long it last?

Absolutely not.

I generally don't trust any of AZ's house brand parts. I don't think anybody does for that matter. I don't even think I would put their stuff on a car I was going to flip, I would just feel bad.

Post by **850 LPT** » 21 Jul 2014, 07:23

You were very lucky that just the seals failed on this pump.

When mine went the seals were still fine, but the bearing seized. And you know what happens next when that happens

And this at only 132k.