Every water pump I have ever owned, on any vehicle, has never gone
bad, except the Vanagons. Even after extended high speed driving.
You may as well just replace it, every 50,000 miles. I have a spare
on hand all the time.

            Eric                   86-VW4x4
            vw4x4@fyi.net          72-240z
            Pittsburgh, PA USA     1936-Chrysler

On Mon, 11 Jan 1999, Vernon Craddock wrote:

> Hello,
>
>         I was happily cruising up the freeway Saturday night (and making good time
> I might add).  I glanced only to see the alternator light come on dim, then
> start to pulsate bright & dim.  I quickly check the other gauges and all
> else is well.  I think, "I've only go 10 miles to go, I can make it on the
> battery."  So I turn off the radio and the aux. lights and continue.  One
> second later the temperature light comes on bright.  Arghhh!, I head for
> the shoulder.  Looking in the mirror I see a huge plume of smoke trailing
> me.  Quickly I grabbed my trusty peewee fire extinguisher and run to the
> back of the van.  Much to my relief I found no flames, only steam.   I
> quickly walk 1/4 mile to the call box only to find that it does not work.
>  About the time I returned, two big fire trucks showed up ready to douse my
> van.  I was happy to see them, they were not terribly amused.
>
>         Anyway, to the point: The water pump failed.  Water spews from the weep
> hole almost as fast as I can fill the reservoir.  Is this a common thing?
>  This van has not leaked a drop in 6 months.  Anyway, how long does it take
> to replace one of these and how difficult is it?  BusDepot has the pump for
> $50.
>
> Please respond directly as I am currently unsubscribed.
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Vernon Craddock
>
> Vernon@Craddock.Com
> '90 Standard Vanagon
>