Should I replace my water pump?

[ruSSrt]

Good day everyone. .

Radiator on my 01 RAM 2500 Cummins is cracked and leaking. I ordered a new radiator, hoses, thermostat. While I'm waiting for it to come in, I got to thinking. Should I replace the water pump while I'm at it? Truck has 145k miles, no issues with water pressure or leakage from the pump. Looks like it's original Cummins water pump. How long does usually original water pumps last? Should I replace it or wait till I'll have issues with it?

 

[Kira]

The OE water pumps in the narrow range of Volvos I've touched are said to last 250,000 mi.
And of course, there's every caveat against aftermarket pumps.

What's the word on the RAM/Cummins fora?

 

[zzyzzx]

on my 01 RAM

Should I replace the water pump while I'm at it? Truck has 145k miles, no issues with water pressure or leakage from the pump. Looks like it's original Cummins water pump. How long does usually original water pumps last? Should I replace it or wait till I'll have issues with it?

How hard is it to replace?
Is it going to be easier to replace once the radiator is out?
As to how long do water pumps last, I personally don't trust water pump shaft seals much past 10 years. But if you are only driving around town that's really not a big deal.

 

[MRC01]

... Radiator on my 01 RAM 2500 Cummins is cracked and leaking. I ordered a new radiator, hoses, thermostat. While I'm waiting for it to come in, I got to thinking. Should I replace the water pump while I'm at it? Truck has 145k miles, no issues with water pressure or leakage from the pump. Looks like it's original Cummins water pump. How long does usually original water pumps last? Should I replace it or wait till I'll have issues with it?

As a general rule I avoid unnecessary maintenance - if it ain't broke, don't fix it. And it also risks MIF: maintenance induced failures.

However, every rule has its exceptions. One of them is if the part in question is old, hard to access, and I'm already doing work that incidentally makes it easier to access. For example, when I change the timing belt in a car, I also change the pulleys, tensioner and water pump.

Since your water pump has 145k miles, if the work you're already doing makes it easier to swap, it could be a similar exception to the general rule.

 

[cptbarkey]

The internet doesnt know your mechanical skills.

Take the belt off. 3 or 4 bolts, I forget exactly. I went with AC Delco gold. Inspect the belt tensioner, hoses, idler while your there. Mine failed catastrophically, it showed several symptoms beforehand. I was able to limp it home 3-4 miles with zero power accessories, you need Conan like strength.

 

[ruSSrt]

How hard is it to replace?
Is it going to be easier to replace once the radiator is out?
As to how long do water pumps last, I personally don't trust water pump shaft seals much past 10 years. But if you are only driving around town that's really not a big deal.

I drive it left than 10k miles a year. Miles are about 80/20. 80% driving unloaded, 20% actually hauling 10k lbs trailer. And to change the pump is not hard, but with radiator out it will be 15-20 min job.

 

[ruSSrt]

The internet doesnt know your mechanical skills.

Take the belt off. 3 or 4 bolts, I forget exactly. I went with AC Delco gold. Inspect the belt tensioner, hoses, idler while your there. Mine failed catastrophically, it showed several symptoms beforehand. I was able to limp it home 3-4 miles with zero power accessories, you need Conan like strength.

I'm novice in my mechanical skills. I can do most of the things around the engine, but I won't trust myself tearing the motor apart. I have changed water pump on other Cummins before with no issues. My pain question is that truck is 25 years old, but only has 145k miles. Water pump is functioning fine, but since I'm already doing work there, should I change the water pump or let it alone until I have to replace it. I ordered ACDelco accessories belt for it that I'll replace also.

 

[ruSSrt]

As a general rule I avoid unnecessary maintenance - if it ain't broke, don't fix it. And it also risks MIF: maintenance induced failures.

However, every rule has its exceptions. One of them is if the part in question is old, hard to access, and I'm already doing work that incidentally makes it easier to access. For example, when I change the timing belt in a car, I also change the pulleys, tensioner and water pump.

Since your water pump has 145k miles, if the work you're already doing makes it easier to swap, it could be a similar exception to the general rule.

All my previous cars (mostly Honda's) required water pump replacement with timing belt. So you generally replace the timing belt, tensioner pulley and pump. Kind of kit deal. With Cummins it's all more heavy duty, I wouldn't even worry about it, but because radiator is leaking thinking about might as well do it.

 

[02SE]

It's held on by 2 bolts. One of the easiest water pumps to replace. Of course you have to take off the accessory drive belt first. My only concern would be replacing it with a quality water pump, and not some cheap piece of junk that'll fail in no time.

 

[fantastic]

Yes, replace it. It makes sense at the point of having the radiator out of the way.

 

[ruSSrt]

It's held on by 2 bolts. One of the easiest water pumps to replace. Of course you have to take off the accessory drive belt first. My only concern would be replacing it with a quality water pump, and not some cheap piece of junk that'll fail in no time.

My dealer wants $450 for Cummins replacement. I see them online anywhere between $80-$150 for same part number

 

[02SE]

My dealer wants $450 for Cummins replacement. I see them online anywhere between $80-$150 for same part number

If you can get the same exact part for 300+ less than the dealer, I'd say by all means do so.

I haven't looked for RAM, but for other makes there are dealers who sell OE parts for much less than the full retail some charge.

I imagine RAM/Cummins forums could probably steer you to a good parts source.

 

[Lubener]

Aftermarket pumps vary in quality so I would leave your original pump alone as long as it is not leaking or sloppy.

 

[MRC01]

My dealer wants $450 for Cummins replacement. I see them online anywhere between $80-$150 for same part number

"same part number" doesn't necessarily mean "same part". I've seen cheap aftermarket parts use the OEM part # for compatibility reasons. Make sure before you buy. The last thing you want to do is replace a perfectly good OEM part with a cheap aftermarket version that will create the very problem you are trying to avoid.

 

[D60]

I did the '02 CTD in my non-profit's 2500. It's potentially THE easiest wp to R&R. That was around 200k mi IIRC

I'd leave it alone. Carry a spare if you really want.

At the time I used NeedAPartA**hole but this was a LONG time ago. Still going but the truck's only at ~315k now. It just sees ~10 mile round trips to haul water

If you wanna worry about something, put Scotseals in the rear end before the seals groove the spindles. BTDT, installed SpeediSleeves with custom turned installation tools

 

[ruSSrt]

Thank you everyone for your input. I'll clean and look over really close my original pump make sure it looks good. But I'm leaning toward leaving it in place.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

It's held on by 2 bolts. One of the easiest water pumps to replace. Of course you have to take off the accessory drive belt first. My only concern would be replacing it with a quality water pump, and not some cheap piece of junk that'll fail in no time.

That's the issue these days. Parts are crap. AC Delco doesn't even make parts anymore. Just reboxed China junk. Leaving the OE part may last longer than a new replacement. I hate the current state of autoparts.