What is causing my water pump shaft to leak?

[mixellmaster]

I have a 97 XLT AWD with 5.0. I am now on my third water pump in less than a year. On the first two the shaft pushed inward causing the belt to run of the pulley. The third replacement (which is the forth pump) the belt stayed on but the pump fins gouged the back of the pan and water leaked out around the shaft. I wouldn't think the pump would have any pressure pushing in on the shaft so what could be causing this? Could it be that my fan is messed up or unbalanced? Someone have an idea as to how I can avoid changing water pumps every month?

 

[ExplorerDMB]

What kind of water pump are you using? Who makes it?

-Drew

 

[gijoecam]

I think Drew's thinking the same thing I am: Crappy rebuilt pumps. Some remanufacturers don;t do that good of a job rebuilding them. Try a new pump if you can.

The other possibility that comes to mind is an imbalance in the water pump pulley, fan or fan clutch causing the bushing to wear prematurely.

Those would be my best guesses.

-Joe

 

[ExplorerDMB]

haha nooo - no one makes crappy rebuilt stuff! ha - but yes that's what I'm trying to get at. Saving a buck is nice, but sometimes it isn't worth it!

 

[Dan Whitaker]

Would to much tension on the serpintine belt cause this?

 

[gijoecam]

I suspect it probably could, but I would think that the itty bitty bearings inside the alternator would protest long before the water pump would. Plus, with a spring tensioner, it's not likely that it would suddenly start over-applying tension to the belt.

 

[Wrench]

One area that is widley overlooked is the quality of coolant used. Some water has such poor PH that it will cause even the best pumps to fail. The wetting agent/corrosion inhibitors in some antifreeze is just plain crap. Make sure your cooling system is completely flushed and good quality anitfreeze is used.

 

[old mechanic]

Bad water will not destroy the pump in 30 days. But I agree that you should always use clean water and antifreeze.
These things happening just don't normally happen in 30 days so I will have to say buy a NEW pump. Not rebuilt. Or try another co. if you havent alwready.
Normally the only thing that goes bad on a water pump is the bearing.