97 XJ 4.0LTR. w/ 166 K Miles
2 years ago at 130K miles the OEM radiator went. I decided that it would be wise to also replace the OEM water pump. I found a Bosch at Pep Boys with the exact casting numbers etc as the OEM. Happy camper I thought that would be the last water pump I would need for another 100K miles.
A year later the water pump seized and I went back to Pep Boys for the free replacement. The Bosch pump now has a completely different casting and is made in friggin China. I find a new US made ASC unit at Advance the casting and pump vane look well made so in it goes.
Today the ASC unit is rattling and I am sure it is about to go. I have been using Gator Back belts set with a NAPA “cricket” gauge at 150. I replaced the tensioner pulley a year ago and just now wasted 100 bucks on the hope that the water pump pulley was bad. No such luck.
The belt alignment looks good; the harmonic balancer (original) also seems good. There is no noise with the belt removed.
Why am I eating water pumps annually with only 15 k miles?
Jeff
2 years ago at 130K miles the OEM radiator went. I decided that it would be wise to also replace the OEM water pump. I found a Bosch at Pep Boys with the exact casting numbers etc as the OEM. Happy camper I thought that would be the last water pump I would need for another 100K miles.
A year later the water pump seized and I went back to Pep Boys for the free replacement. The Bosch pump now has a completely different casting and is made in friggin China. I find a new US made ASC unit at Advance the casting and pump vane look well made so in it goes.
Today the ASC unit is rattling and I am sure it is about to go. I have been using Gator Back belts set with a NAPA “cricket” gauge at 150. I replaced the tensioner pulley a year ago and just now wasted 100 bucks on the hope that the water pump pulley was bad. No such luck.
The belt alignment looks good; the harmonic balancer (original) also seems good. There is no noise with the belt removed.
Why am I eating water pumps annually with only 15 k miles?
Jeff