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Replace water pump or not?

992 views 8 replies 5 participants last post by  bogateer 
#1 ·
1991 Ford Escort LX. Almost 65,000 miles. Getting set to change the timing belt. Just wondering if I should replace the water pump as well? Car has been well-maintained....but it is 24 years old. I already have a new pump so it's just a matter of the extra labor while I'm in there. I don't drive all that much....I guess if I can save the work and am okay holding off that would be fine with me....but given the age (and potentially the miles...I don't know when these pumps "usually" go) I'm wondering if it's warranted as "preventative" maintenance or just a good idea while I'm in there (or if it's unnecessary at this point and I'm okay holding off for another 20-30k). Thanks!
 
#3 ·
I know I'm in the minority, but I don't change them if the bearing feels smooth and tight, and if there is no weeping from the gland.

I have a '93 wagon and a '97 sedan that have near 200,000 miles each on the original factory pumps.
I have owned them both for years and the cooling systems have been maintained by me in a clean noncorroded condition.

Aftermarket parts are mostly inferior junk, made with poor tolerances and slave labor made bearings. If I was using these weak parts, I might change one out, just because.

I have some genuine Motorcraft water pumps in stock for when one of mine finally fails.
 
#5 ·
Thanks for the input. Fortunately I was able to get a genuine Motorcraft pump on eBay. I'll probably go ahead and replace the pump as other's have suggested...I don't drive all that much so the new pump will last a long time and that way I don't have to worry about it. But it's good to know that if I don't get around to it I should be okay for a while at least.
 
#6 ·
Just remember if you don't replace the water pump and it seizes it will probably strip teeth off the timing belt, likely requiring a tow to get it to a safe place to work on it. I personally have done it both ways change/not change, but I also had the bearing seize in a water pump once just about 5K miles before the next scheduled belt change. Ever since I've changed the pump while I was there, easier to spend an extra 1/2 hour doing it then than to start all over from scratch. Also likely if the pump started leaking it would ruin the new timing belt.
 
#9 ·
It's probably already broken....I just won't realize it until I get the timing belt back on and start it up again for the first time...and then it will wait until I'm miles from nowhere...in the middle of the night....out of cell phone range...during winter...and I HAVE to be somewhere.
 
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