two failed "lifetime" water pumps from Advance Auto Parts

[mrsilv04]

I'm not sure what "lifetime" that they're referring to....

Pump #1 - lasted 2 years, 11 months and 22,000 miles.
Pump #2 - lasted 5 years, 10 months and 45,000 miles.

First one started leaking. Replaced. It had been bolted to three different Jasper engines, LOL.

Second one just started randomly dripping coolant several months ago...only 1-3 drips at a time... and only occasionally. It would go days without dripping. Checked all of the clamps and connections multiple times.

Finally, last week... when the truck was idling inside the garage, I started hearing the noise of a bearing grinding itself. Called the mechanic, made an appointment. Parked it and started driving the Sierra instead. While I was driving it to the mechanic's shop, it got to the point where it was *really* unhappy. Could hear the grinding noise from inside the cab at stop lights, and it would get louder as I accelerated away. Mechanic laughed at how bad the bearing was, it was after he took it off and spun it by hand.

It has been replaced, yet again, but not with junk from AAP. Done with them. We'll see if O'Reilly's "lifetime" Murray brand water pumps are any better. (hahaha...probably not).

 

[Johnny248]

We have had EXCELLENT results using GMB Water Pumps. They seem to be very good quality and priced fairly. I honestly can't remember a warranty issue in at least the last five years.

 

[drtyler]

Why not use GM Genuine water pump?

 

[Donald]

I'm not sure what "lifetime" that they're referring to....

Pump #1 - lasted 2 years, 11 months and 22,000 miles.
Pump #2 - lasted 5 years, 10 months and 45,000 miles.

First one started leaking. Replaced. It had been bolted to three different Jasper engines, LOL.

Second one just started randomly dripping coolant several months ago...only 1-3 drips at a time... and only occasionally. It would go days without dripping. Checked all of the clamps and connections multiple times.

Finally, last week... when the truck was idling inside the garage, I started hearing the noise of a bearing grinding itself. Called the mechanic, made an appointment. Parked it and started driving the Sierra instead. While I was driving it to the mechanic's shop, it got to the point where it was *really* unhappy. Could hear the grinding noise from inside the cab at stop lights, and it would get louder as I accelerated away. Mechanic laughed at how bad the bearing was, it was after he took it off and spun it by hand.

It has been replaced, yet again, but not with junk from AAP. Done with them. We'll see if O'Reilly's "lifetime" Murray brand water pumps are any better. (hahaha...probably not).

So are you buying the parts for your mechanic?

Why is your mechanic using house brand parts in your car?

I know the parts from AAP are lifetime but are you paying the mechanic labor for each water pump install?

How long did the original one last that came when car was new?

I would not be buying any house brand parts for my car.

 

[bdcardinal]

Why not use GM Genuine water pump?

My 2500 uses the same pump, here are the numbers form when I did mine:

water pump 12703898
gasket x2 12630223
t-stat bolt x2 11516480
t-stat w/housing 15-11057

Unless there is some absolutely spectacular aftermarket option, I use OEM while still available.

 

[AZjeff]

Why not use GM Genuine water pump?

How long did the GM Genuine OEM pump last?

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

Why not use GM Genuine water pump?

Maybe GM is too proud of their stuff. Just thinking out loud!

 

[The Critic]

Why not use GM Genuine water pump?

Because the mechanic wants his parts markup (which is generally stronger with AM) and the shop probably belongs to some TechNet or parts store warranty program that promises to pay labor claims if something goes wrong during the shop's warranty period.

 

[Trav]

Lifetime warranty on cheap aftermarket parts are a fools errand. One lesson I learned over the years is if the part is a challenge to get to replace with OE and never use cheap engine parts, they will make your life a misery.

 

[bdcardinal]

Maybe GM is too proud of their stuff. Just thinking out loud!

It is cheap on RockAuto

 

[K-Man]

Learned years ago: the OEM part might last many years and miles. With these lowest-bidder replacement parts, suddenly they become annual replacement items. This applies even to $$ parts such as alternators and starters. The time, labor, and inconvenience even if you have a "lifetime warranty" aren't worth it.

 

[grasscutter]

GM GENUINE 12703898

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog....3l+v8,1424102,cooling+system,water+pump,2208

 

[Reiver]

I just put a lifetime fuel pump in my Sierra and I might live to regret it. But I didn't see a GM OE pump available, so I got the Delphi, which has been a long time GM supplier.

Getting decent parts for a 22 year old truck is getting harder all the time.

 

[Nuclear_42]

Buy once cry once. OEM only.

 

[Donald]

I just put a lifetime fuel pump in my Sierra and I might live to regret it. But I didn't see a GM OE pump available, so I got the Delphi, which has been a long time GM supplier.

Getting decent parts for a 22 year old truck is getting harder all the time.

It all depends upon how much time it takes to install. A mechanical fuel pump on a Ford straight six with a carburetor was probably a 15 mm install. But most modern furl pumps are not like that.

 

[Marcozi]

The installation of aftermarket cooling system part is strictly verboten. JMHO

 

[zzyzzx]

After two failed "lifetime" water pumps from Advance Auto Parts, I'm done with them.​

What did you expect from a "white box" part that happens to be sold at your local auto parts store instead of Amazon or eBay?

 

[D60]

Finally, last week... when the truck was idling inside the garage, I started hearing the noise of a bearing grinding itself. Called the mechanic, made an appointment. Parked it and started driving the Sierra instead. While I was driving it to the mechanic's shop, it got to the point where it was *really* unhappy. Could hear the grinding noise from inside the cab at stop lights, and it would get louder as I accelerated away. Mechanic laughed at how bad the bearing was, it was after he took it off and spun it by hand.

It has been replaced, yet again, but not with junk from AAP. Done with them. We'll see if O'Reilly's "lifetime" Murray brand water pumps are any better. (hahaha...probably not).

Funny, our old '05 Yukon 5.3 did the same. I've never dissected one, but there must be two sets of bearings a good distance apart.

Ours had actually spit a roller up onto the relatively huge land above the wp, but was not leaking. Never before or since have I seen a wp visually lose part of bearing and scream like a banshee but not leak a drop.

 

[D1dad]

I went through a warranty replacement and then that carquest wheel bearing failed just outside of warranty. Even though the anti Timken crowd would tell me they’re trash, that was over 80k ago and it’s still smooth and quiet. If it’s any kind of a job at all, I won’t use auto store whit box crap. Surely not a water pump. The wheel bearing is bad enough. I’m worried as all get out about the oreilley outer tie rod on my daughters car that I needed in a pinch.

 

[crashz]

"A guy puts a guarantee on the box 'cause he wants you to feel all warm and toasty inside."
- Tommy Callahan, Callahan Auto Parts


My 04 never actually failed, but the little gaskets on a block mating surface disintegrated. I recall doing this job on my driveway with very little difficulty, but it was many decades ago.