I need to replace the water pump on my 3.0. Should I buy a new one from the dealer or Auto Zone, Kragen, etc...

Also while I am in there I plan on changing out the timing belt, drive belt and thermostat. Anything else I should be replacing? Also is any one t-stat better then the other?

Thanks!

I bought my truck used and closing in on 100K miles, so there were some things coming to the end of their lifespan. Being a cheap college student, I went with the cheaper parts. After replacing the water pump three times and the clutch master cylinder twice, I realized that the "lifetime warranty" did not cover my time to tear it apart repeatedly as well as the fact that I didn't really trust my truck to be dependible when I was having to constantly replace these things. So I went to the dealer and ponied up the bucks for genuine parts and haven't had to think about it again. Now when the dealer wanted $400 for a cat the other year and the one through the import parts place was $140 and they looked exactly the same, you know which one I went for...

Have you read Chris G's old t-belt replacement page on the web? He lists several things that can be replaced in there, since it's open. Basically, belt, water pump, idler pulleys (one's a bitch, requires removing the camshaft bolts), and a general clean up/ check out of everything in there.

I removed my grill and radiator when I did mine, made things 1000x easier to get to.

i just did mine. plan on replacing the pump, t-belt, upper tensioner, thermostat and front seals while your in there. i figured it was easier, while doing the tensioner that was about to lock up , to just do everything. that job would suck on the trail. and i would use factory parts, you get what you pay for! :)

plan on replacing the pump, t-belt, upper tensioner, thermostat and front seals while your in there.


x2

Thanks guys! I did the front seals about 7 years ago, but since I am in there, I guess I should do them again.

If it were mine it would be all OEM parts!!!!!

If it were mine it would be all OEM parts!!!!!

That is probably the way I am going to go.

How many miles did the original pump last? Do you want the new one to last at least that long, or would you rather change it every year?

The water pump doesn't use a gasket, it seals with RTV, so be sure to get a tube. Same with the coolant neck thingy for the top hose. I'd also replace all the belts, timing belt, front main seal, and maybe even the big idler bearing that sits between the cams.

When you re-fill the engine with coolant, be sure to pour some into the top hose and backfill the engine before you connect the hose to the rad. With the t-stat down low in the water pump, I've seen them overheat on first startup, the engine gets really hot with no coolant in it and the t-stat doesn't open.

Thanks for the info.

As far as I know this is the original water pump and it has lasted almost 170,000 miles.

You should go OEM but not Stealership! You can get most OEM stuff thru WorldPac.

WorldPac only sells to automotive shops as far as I could find on their site??