Water Pump

[96Z28SS]

I have 58,000 miles and the water
pump is starting to link a little from
that little whole. I can get a water
pump from O'Reliys that is made by
masters. Lifte time warrenty /
replacement.

Is this a good one to get,

Who makdes a good water pump?

thanks

ed

[Joe 1320]

I can't comment on the quality of the replacement part, I replaced mine with a local parts store rebuilt unit and it's been fine. I can comment that if your pump is leaking, it would be a good idea to pull the optispark while you are in there. Completely redo the seals in the front cover. There is one for the opti, the water pump, and the lower crank seal. Clean the optispark terminals and reinstall after doing the other seals. It will most likely save you the hassle of taking it all apart again when the seals start leaking down the road. The optispark is very prone to failure when the water pump leaks.

[Jeff_in_Atl]

"I can't comment on the quality of the replacement part, I replaced mine with a local parts store rebuilt unit and it's been fine. I can comment that if your pump is leaking, it would be a good idea to pull the optispark while you are in there. Completely redo the seals in the front cover. There is one for the opti, the water pump, and the lower crank seal. Clean the optispark terminals and reinstall after doing the other seals. It will most likely save you the hassle of taking it all apart again when the seals start leaking down the road. The optispark is very prone to failure when the water pump leaks. "

The dealership replaced my OPTI and I don't think they chnaged the OPTI seal to the timing cover. Now it leaks oil from there. Them trying to save $10 is going to cost me 8 hours worth of work along with another water pump gasket. Grrr

Also, I would highly recomend using silicone dielectric grease on the electrical plug to the OPTI. They are very prone to corosion.

Servicing the OPTI could help you extend the life of it but to be honest, I would replace it when you do the water pump. The dealership has a standard policy of replacing the OPTI if the water pump was leaking.

Also, while you're down there, somebody on the message board had what I thought was a pretty good idea. He drilled and tapped the weep hole in the water pump and put a pipe fitting in it. Then he connected a hose to it and ran it below the OPTI. That way if/when the water pump leaks again, it won't leak on the OPTI and kill it.