Water pump replacement for Dummies

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Mar 23, 2022 | 01:31 PM

XxDesmoxX

Thread Starter

Trailering

Joined: Feb 2022

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Water pump replacement for Dummies

Hi there,

I've got a new to me 2002 Excursion 7.3 Diesel and I'm wanting to do some maintenance, and I'm wanting advice on how deep to dive.

My serpentine belt is squeaking and I'm considering doing other preventative service "while I'm in there."

Per Rock Auto, they sell a water pump & fan clutch assembly for $130.

I watched a few youtube video's and they recommend replacing other little stuff (sensors etc.) while I'm in there.

So my Question is; what all would you do?

There are no service records for the water pump, and now the truck has 220k miles on it. Should I do this now (while I'm in there), or wait for a leak and then address it?

What else would you do while I'm in there? Thermostat, hoses?

Or should I just swap out the serpentine belt, idler and pulley and call it a day?

Thanks.

My goal is to have this be reliable enough to take my wife and kids on a 4-5 hour trip going over mountain passes in inclement weather.

Mar 24, 2022 | 07:36 AM

pirate4x4_camo

Lead Driver

Joined: Apr 2011

Posts: 8,259

Likes: 346

From: Northern California

First off. Skip rockauto unless they have the motorcraft pump. ( international is also acceptable )
hit up Riff raff or diesel o rings

if you are doing the pump you may as well do the whole cooling system at once as any one failure stops vehicle operations and leaves you on the side of the road,

pump
fan clutch
Tensioner ( motorcraft )
Idler
t state ( again Motorcraft only )
upper radiator hose, switch to behind rather than through the belt so you can change a belt without removing hose.
lower radiator hose
reservoir hose
reservoir… Dorman
reservior cap ( motorcraft )
radiator ( autozone sells a lifetime warranty unit that is the same unit that Motorcraft sells and is 1/2 the cost )

Mar 24, 2022 | 08:40 AM

CousinCarl

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 1,321

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From: North Texas

I'd also throw in the billet t stat housing RR sells.

Mar 26, 2022 | 10:39 AM

bwguardian

Cargo Master

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 2,037

Likes: 310

No need to do the fan clutch IMHO, as I always reuse them...but I do give them a good cleaning so they function up to snuff. The parts store brands tend to not give warning with a leak through the bottom pee hole, but rather just give up the ghost grenading the bearings and creating havoc. Go ahead and get the temperature sensor as it will probably be no good, if you can even get it loose. I would also get a new thermostat housing if not the billet unit or reinforcing plate. Another good addition would be a dual alternator upper hose so you don't have to remove that hose in order to replace the serpentine belt. Also, since you're already draining the coolant, you may want to consider to flush the system and convert to the red HD diesel coolant which doesn't require the additive like the green coolant...and is good for 350k, then you can add the additive to be good to go for another long period of time.