

| Subject: | Aftermarket water pumps: beware! |
| From: | Stuart MacMillan |
| Date: | Wed, 10 Jul 2002 22:09:17 -0700 |
After my last two failed in about 12,000 miles each (bearings, and I don't over tighten the belt!), I broke down and went to the dealer. Only factory rebuit pumps were available (I need the 1.9 engine pump) for $135 exchange, and I bought one. I noticed that the factory installed bearings were of a different design, and the clearance was tighter between the impeller and the pump wall. I'm going to press one of the old pumps apart and inspect it. I suspect inadequate bearing lubrication, since neither pump leaked, they just got wobbly and noisy before I replaced them. If the lube was as good as the seals. . . I felt bad exchanging an Italian made rip off core, but what can you do. They didn't check it out, and I didn't want to pay another $75. FWIW, Stuart MacMillan '84 Westy w/2.1
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