My LATE '99 7.3 has developed a coolant leak which I believe to be the water pump.
My truck has just over 80k original miles on it, but its 9 years old too.
I have done a search and found out a wealth of info on changing/replacing the water pump.
Is the AIRTEX AW4114 NEW pump STILL the one to get? I see there is a seller on Ebay that has them for right at $90.00, and they have the idler and tensioners as well.
Some say to get a 1 piece pump to eliminate the leak that sometimes happens at the joint due to the "O" ring, but looking at the picture the AIRTEX pump IS 2 piece.
Suggestions?? Thanks!

 

I wouldn't be afraid of the two piece style.
Using the proper technique on the o-ring will ensure that it will last for many years.
Apply a thin coating of silicone grease (faucet lube) to the o-ring and it will be slippery enough to squirm around during the expansion and contraction of the thermal cycles.
Doing so will allow it to do it's job for years and not be glued down. That is when leaks start, when the o-ring cannot move and do it's job of being a gasket.

 

Well, I've checked my truck and strongly believe its the water pump thats leaking-however I can't see the weep hole in the bottom of the pump?? my engine is pretty clean around the area but I can't see the hole from either side on the bottom, but the drip seems to be right in the center and kind of drips onto the balancer then to the ground.
Has anyone bought the AIRTEX pump from the Northern parts seller on Ebay? are they OK?? has anyone bought the tensioner and pulley from them as well?? is the quality OK on these? just checking to get a feel before I take the plunge and order!! Thanks!!

 

Yes, I've bought their pump, and I'm glad I did.

I replaced my first pump at about 65k, with a rebuilt pump from Merles($180). The rebuilt pump lasted 30k or so. Then I bought the Airtext pump for $84 plus shipping($95) brand new!! Mine is a one piece pump, came with gasket, new screws too. I read somewhere that Airtext makes pumps for GM, Ford and Dodge.

 

I forgot to mention I have 160k on truck now, so 65k on this pump.

 

I think I may need one soon as well. Let me know who you buy from on ebay and if your experience is a good one.

 

It's $89 off thier website plus shipping. Northern Auto Parts: Home
Airtex Ford, Jaguar & Mazda Water Pumps

<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=5 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top>E-MAIL THIS PRODUCT TO A FRIEND



Price: $89.99




1996 - 2003 Ford 7.3L Turbo Diesel engines. This pump fits the 1996 through 2003 model Direct Injection Turbo Diesel models. Pump contains new bolts, plugs, gasket and installation instructions!

<TABLE style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; WIDTH: 494px; HEIGHT: 97px" height=97 cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1 width=494 bg*************** border=0><TBODY><TR onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f5f5f5'; " style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='#FFFFFF'"> <TD>Make
</TD><TD>Model
</TD><TD colSpan=2>Year
</TD><TD>Application
</TD></TR><TR onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f5f5f5'; " style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='#FFFFFF'"> <TD>FORD TRUCK
</TD><TD>E100- E350 Super Duty, E450,
E550 and E Super Duty Vans
</TD><TD colSpan=2>03-96
</TD><TD>V8 446 (F) (7.3L) (Diesel)
</TD></TR><TR onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f5f5f5'; " style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='#FFFFFF'"> <TD>FORD TRUCK
</TD><TD>Excursion
</TD><TD colSpan=2>03-00
</TD><TD>V8 446 (F) (7.3L) (Diesel)
</TD></TR><TR onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f5f5f5'; " style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='#FFFFFF'"> <TD>FORD TRUCK
</TD><TD>F100, F150, F250, F350 Pickup
</TD><TD colSpan=2>97-96
</TD><TD>V8 446 (F) (7.3L) (Diesel)
</TD></TR><TR onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f5f5f5'; " style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='#FFFFFF'"> <TD>FORD TRUCK
</TD><TD>F250/350/450/550 Super Duty Pickup
</TD><TD colSpan=2>03-99
</TD><TD>V8 446 (F) (7.3L) (Diesel)
</TD></TR><TR onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f5f5f5'; " style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='#FFFFFF'"> <TD>FORD TRUCK
</TD><TD>F250/350/450/550 Super Duty Pickup
</TD><TD colSpan=2>1997
</TD><TD>V8 446 (F) (7.3L) (Diesel) VIN F
</TD></TR><TR onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f5f5f5'; " style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='#FFFFFF'"> <TD>FORD TRUCK
</TD><TD>F250/350/450/550 Super Duty Pickup
</TD><TD colSpan=2>1996
</TD><TD>V8 446 (F) (7.3L) (Diesel)
</TD></TR><TR onmouseover="this.style.backgroundColor='#f5f5f5'; " style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" onmouseout="this.style.backgroundColor='#FFFFFF'"> <TD>FORD TRUCK
</TD><TD>F59 Stripped Chassis
</TD><TD colSpan=2>97-96
</TD><TD>F59 Stripped Chassis (Diesel)
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Category:

Water Pump, Gskt, Fan & Clutch

Manufacturer:

Airtex Water Pumps

Model Number:

AW4114
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

I bought mine from them and used it - great experience with that ebay sellor. This has nothing to do with the resellor, but my pump had some casting flash on the INTERNAL passages. I filed them down and smoothed the corners slightly.

**** be sure if you do any filing on the internal passages to take your time and hold the pump so that filings fall away from the pump ****

I didn't have the Syl-Glide from NAPA that KWIK recommended in a previous thread but my pump sealed up perfectly. I have since bought a tube of it (~$5) and would strongly recommend it to be safe

Also not that if you have a coolant filter installed, you will want a 2nd person handy for the removal & reinstallation of the fan & shroud. Can 1 person do it? Sure... if you like practicing your sailor imitations

 

OK, I had a little hiccup yesterday with the folks at Northern.
Their listing for the water pump clearly states that there will be no additional shipping charge for extra parts bought at the same time.
The original guy "GARRY" that I was dealing with was doing very well in trying to get me all the parts I needed (the pump, tensioner, and smooth idler pulley) and when he told me to go ahead and order I did just that-on the pump and the tensioner assembly-then sent anouther Email asking where the smooth pulley was listed and all I got was a reply was from a "JESSEE" who seemed gung-ho to get my stuff shipped and not worried at all that I didn't have everything I needed, and now "JESSE" says I will have to pay additional shipping for the pulley-I wrote him back and told him this was un-acceptable and am waiting for a reply.
ATTITUDE & CUSTOMER SERVICE go a long way with me!!!