I would say replace the thing. Absolutely, without a doubt. Mainly because
your van will be happier and it will thank you for it. Also because of my
experience. I had my engine disassembled for about 6 weeks, and just got it
running about 2 weeks ago. I didn't replace the water pump for the same
reasons that you are considering. Now, after a couple of weeks driving it,
the water pump has started howling, and I can tell that it wants to quit any
time. It could be from sitting for 6 weeks, or it could be just its time. It
doesn't matter, because the bottom line is I should have just replaced it at
the most convenient time. It's a BIG job (not a BIG, BIG job, but a BIG one)
and I'm not looking forward to it.

As far as the condition of your current pump, mine had no play when rocking
it back and forth either, and it should feel stiff when turning it. Even a
new water pump is stiff. It has to be a tight seal. What you want to look
for is any sign of a previous leak. If you see any stains or streaks around
the weep hole, that means it had a slight leak at one time. A new water pump
won't improve the cooling, it's just a good idea to put a new one on when
it's convenient to save yourself some work and make your van happy. The only
way it would improve cooling is if the fins are corroding away. I have seen
water pumps that were so corroded, the fins were basically gone, and
although the pump would turn, it wasn't actually pumping much water. This is
rare, because the pump will usually seize or leak long before it gets to
this point. So..........replace it. With a good new one, not a cheap
American-made piece of crap.
-Mark

>From: Mike Braden <mbraden@PHARMACY.PURDUE.EDU>
>Reply-To: Mike Braden <mbraden@PHARMACY.PURDUE.EDU>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Should I "bother" replacing the waterpump?
>Date: Sat, 1 May 2004 21:24:01 -0500
>
>Hello all,
>
>Im slowly working on replacing my head gaskets (83 1.9L vanagon) and
>while I have the engine half disassembled, I've been looking at what I
>can clean or replace for moderate cost to improve the
>life/happiness/general running of my tempermental (and often
>temperaturential) van.  I recently pulled off the waterpump and had been
>thinking of replacing it, as I've had various coolant leak/running
>warm-hot/eating coolant issues and want to make sure all components of
>the coolant system are up to par.  Visually, I can't see anything wrong
>with my current waterpump.  The pulley wheel had little to no play when
>rocking towards and away from the main WP body.  The only thing I notice
>is when turning the pulley wheel (or the mount now that the wheel has
>been removed), it seems to be a not very smooth rotation.  That is, it
>seems like there is a good deal of friction in the rotation (not that
>there is any detectable grinding or rough spots).  Otherwise, I can't
>see any problems that a quick cleaning wouldn't fix.  Should I bother
>replacing this $50 part?  Will it do anything to improve cooling other
>than preventing a sooner-than-later seize of the pump?  Thanks for any
>input.
>
>aloha
>Mike Braden

_________________________________________________________________
Express yourself with the new version of MSN Messenger! Download today -
it's FREE! http://messenger.msn.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/