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Old Feb 28, 2012 | 07:34 PM
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Coolant leak

I just noticed the other day that I have a coolant leak around the water pump. I assume it's the water pump. It's does not appear to be leaking when running. It's probably the original one. I have about 190k on my truck now so probably due for another one. Funds are kind of tight now so was looking at the airtex pump on rock auto for around $75. Any feedback on those? I guess I should get a new motorcraft thermostat and housing as well. Maybe I should just hold off a while and get one from Clay. I won't be making any out of town trips until I can get it fixed one way or another.
 
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Old Feb 28, 2012 | 07:46 PM
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I had an Airtex. It was good as far as I could tell except the seal for the pump body. I would get the motorcraft one. The one that I had cracked within a year and it began to seep. Pump was fine but I decided to replace with a Ford one. You could always get the Airtex and get a Ford seal.
 
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Old Feb 28, 2012 | 07:46 PM
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Airtex seems to be a fairly popular aftermarket name. They do a large volume. I'm not really sure of the quality of their parts long term, but I'd rate them at least average or possibly a hair above average.

When I did the wife's water pump, I went with the new Bosch pump from Rock Auto.
 
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Old Feb 28, 2012 | 08:27 PM
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Grant - Clay at Riffraff has oem for 148 & change - Get another 190 k out of it.
 
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Old Feb 28, 2012 | 08:33 PM
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Originally Posted by F350-6
Airtex seems to be a fairly popular aftermarket name. They do a large volume. I'm not really sure of the quality of their parts long term, but I'd rate them at least average or possibly a hair above average.

When I did the wife's water pump, I went with the new Bosch pump from Rock Auto.
No personal experience with Airtex.. But this guy didnt get so lucky. Not the only case I know of, just the only one I have a link to.

Airtex water pumps suck.. - Outlaw PSD

Go OEM and be happy.
(Yes, it is rumored that Airtex made some WPs for Ford, but they were not exclusive.)
 
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Old Feb 28, 2012 | 08:55 PM
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I just ordered a new water pump/thermostat, and housing from Riffraff last night along with a few other things. I am just replacing mine as a preventive measure more than anything else. You might just try a new seal and see if that gets you any further. I am planning on switching mine out in about a month and if you are still in need of one at that time I can send you my old one. It has about 128k on it but works fine. If nothing else it should last you until your funds improve.
 
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Old Feb 28, 2012 | 08:56 PM
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Originally Posted by SARDiverDan
I just ordered a new water pump/thermostat, and housing from Riffraff last night along with a few other things. I am just replacing mine as a preventive measure more than anything else. You might just try a new seal and see if that gets you any further. I am planning on switching mine out in about a month and if you are still in need of one at that time I can send you my old one. It has about 128k on it but works fine. If nothing else it should last you until your funds improve.
Just sent you some good guy points
 
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Old Feb 28, 2012 | 09:26 PM
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I'm not sure what I'm going to do but thanks for all the replies and any more. From the research I did airtex water pump division sold out to another company.
 
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Old Feb 29, 2012 | 06:29 AM
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i got an Airtex. Replaced the OEM one, since it had 105k on her. Seemed to have "seeped" when new, but not since. Also, that which i believe was from Gooch, but dont quote me, was the norm of these pumps.
 
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Old Feb 29, 2012 | 07:29 PM
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just wondering are u sure it is the water pump? I thought mine was leaking and was loosing alot of fluid finally got it in the air and saw that it was the gasket for the inlet tube to the lower radiator hose. turns out it uses the same o-ring as the thermostat so for less than $10 (o-ring and sealant) it was fixed. Just thought you might want to check that could save you some money
 
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Old Feb 29, 2012 | 07:36 PM
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I can also say it is hard to tell for sure. That pump is snuggled in there with plenty of stuff that makes it hard to figure out where the collant is coming from. One time it was my pump, later on it was just a seal.
 
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Old Feb 29, 2012 | 08:31 PM
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The Pump has a Dynamic seal that weeps when cranking but seals up quickly. The small chamber near the weep hole allows evap to Happen.
 
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