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Should I replace a water pump?

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Old Mar 26, 2012 | 02:08 PM
  #1  
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Should I replace a water pump?

my radiator is at a shop getting cleaned up. I just put in my new heater core. I am trying to take care of the entire cooling/heating system, so I only have to drain it and fill it once.

Just wanting some opinions on replacing the water pump and thermostat. I don't think there are any problems with them, just wondering if I should do the preventative maintenance while I'm in the middle of it. My dad always goes with "if it aint broke, don't fix it," so I was wondering if there is any way for me to test my water pump...at Napa and Oreilly, reman is like $20 and new is like $40. Not too expensive, but I'm not into wasting money.

Honest opinions appreciated.

pics of the radiator (before taking it to the shop) for fun. (always makes a thread more interesting)



 
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Old Mar 26, 2012 | 02:13 PM
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With an older truck...I'd go with "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." With modern junk, I'd say go ahead and replace it. Just my $.02...
 
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Old Mar 26, 2012 | 02:41 PM
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They aren't hard to replace if they break, so I'd also say just leave it for now.
 
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Old Mar 26, 2012 | 06:13 PM
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I got a brand new Bosch water pump for my FE off of Amazon.com for $60. It was worth it to me to have piece of mind when I had the engine out.
 
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Old Mar 26, 2012 | 08:06 PM
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you're this far in, you may as well go all the way.
i think i was following your earlier thread on the overheating, and it hadn't been nailed down to exactly where the problem was...?

if its got a lot of miles on it, i'd replace it.
 
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Old Mar 26, 2012 | 08:25 PM
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Replace the thermostat. While you have it this far flush the engine real good. If there are drain plugs on block remove then flush. If there is a petcok on the block open and flush.
 
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Old Mar 26, 2012 | 10:01 PM
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Thanks for all the advice, it helps to have some opinions. I will flush it out as best I can and get a new thermostat. I'll probably hold off on the water pump for now...it's not leaking...
 
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Old Mar 27, 2012 | 01:27 AM
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Once the cap and new radiator are in place, pressure will find the weakest point. The water pump seal or one of the freeze plugs.

Your are not wasting money as replacing a water pump is preventative maintenance, just like belts and hoses

Garbz
 
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Old Mar 27, 2012 | 02:35 PM
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Every single time I did not replace a water pump but had considered it...it started leaking shortly after putting back into service. Maybe it is just Murphy but I have learned, unless it is pretty new , if you are close, replace it.
 
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Old Mar 27, 2012 | 06:45 PM
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Thanks again. I sprung for the pump and thermostat...only $48 at NAPA.



Of course, just like my dad said it would, 1 bolt head seared off when I took off the old water pump and 1 broke off when removing the thermostat housing. They both have a lot of threads exposed still, so I'm hoping to get some vice grips on it and knock it loose.



Any other suggestions on how to remove the studs where the bolt heads snapped off?
 
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Old Mar 27, 2012 | 07:16 PM
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ouch.
lots and lots of PB Blaster?
 
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Old Mar 28, 2012 | 03:37 AM
  #12  
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If you can thread 2 nuts onto it you might be able to jam one against the other to back it out. PB Blaster & some heat from a torch might help while doing this.
 
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Old Mar 30, 2012 | 01:00 PM
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I am picking up my radiator this afternoon, and taking it to my buddy's house to finish up the job.

What a great surprise when he told me that he already got the broken bolts out this morning!

Of course...I went by yesterday and blasted them with PB blaster...so I'll take the credit
 
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Old Mar 30, 2012 | 01:04 PM
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Agreed with the penetrating oil. Spray it good and let it sit for a while, then spray it again and let it sit for a while. Then spray it again and try to take it off. This usually works.
 
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Old Mar 30, 2012 | 08:10 PM
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My buddy said they used a propane torch and that the broken bolts came out pretty easy...

here is the new pump back in the truck.

 
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