Replace or not to replace water pump

[Robliepse]

I'm going to be replacing my upper and lower radiator hoses and the fan clutch this morning and I'm undecided on replacing the water pump. I'll be 4 bolts away and I have a new standard Cardone pump that I bought off of Parts Geek here at the house but the old one isn't leaking. The car doesn't overheat and I keep thinking about the old saying "if it ant broke don't fix it". The one on it looks very original with the Chrysler star and some casting numbers so even if i do replace it I'm going to keep the old one.

 

[SureGrip]

Just based on the 'visual age' of that engine, change it out. You already have a replacement, you already have it all apart, and keep the old one as a back up.

 

[g413]

Back then I had a 68 Roadrunner and it had terrible rusting problems with the coolant system. I always kept antifreeze in the system. The radiator, radiator cap, water pump, and all the freeze plugs (one at a time) had to be replaced.

I would suggest replacing the water pump while you are this close.

Gary from Fresno

 

[nm9stheham]

Grab the front pulley mount flange on the pump and see if it mives up/down or sideways, even a bit. If so, replace it; any movement shows that the bearing is wearing. You can also check the little hole under the 'snout' where the pulley shaft comes out; if there is any hint of leakge residue there, then the seal has leaked, and again, replace. Wrap the old on in plastic to try to keep the seal moist; if they dry out totaly, they usually are no longer reliable; that may or may not work out long term; re-using old water pumps is usually an emergency-only thing to do. (If I was to have a pump out for a week or more, I used to put the pump in the bucket with the old anti-freeze to keep the seal moist.)