I was at Auto Zone this weekend picking up some things for my XJ and the parts guy asked me how many water pumps I have gone through. Ive been building the Jeep since I brought it home so I haven't driven it much. He was telling me that Jeeps go through water pumps fast. Does anyone know if this if true? Or is he just trying to make a sale. THANKS  

That's a very funny perspective.

Seems to me, in the parts guy's mind, that the thousands that don't come visit him, because they don't need a water pump, pales in comparison to the dozens that do.

Ask the parts guy to back up his ridiculous claim.  

Every 80K miles, like F-ing clockwork, on a YJ I drove to 247Kmiles, I had to replace the water pump. I guess that's not bad, but that was 3 new water pumps in 6 years...

On the XJ I've had since 72Kmiles (now at 147Kmiles) I gotta believe I'm getting close again... should explode at ~152Kmiles, if history is any lesson. If I have to replace a pulley (or anything) between now & then, I WILL also replace the water pump.

Words of advice: don't use the cheap rebuilds or OEM water pumps. There's an after market company that makes a stouter one (I'll try to get back to you on that) that costs much more, but is well worth the saved labor.

Here you go: http://www.quadratec.com/products/51212_58.htm. It's made by FlowKooler.  

80k on a water pump would not be considered a short life span.

247k miles would be 2 replacements at 80k a piece, not three.

Yes, when you buy a replacement, stick with new, not remanufactured.  

i managed 100k on mine and i buy new with a lifetime warrenty, that way i get a "freeby". kinda like a 2 for 1 deal if you play it smart.  

Mine lasted 240 000km, close to 150,000 miles...


OnRoading  

2000 TJ W/142,000 when I changed mine  

See above... I'll get the hang of this soon...  

See above.  

See above. Again, Don't ask...  

See above. Don't ask... Somehow my minor revisions are spawning additional messages, and I can't delete the tweener posts...    

ftgiles:

Oh, I guess YOU should know how many times I replaced the water pump. And it's I who must be mistaken. Learn some math. Jeez!    

I replaced the water pump 3 TIMES --at ~80K, ~160K, and ~240K, like clockwork, then sold it soon after (For $3400!).  

No, 80K isn't real short, but if you put megamiles on a Jeep like I was, you don't want to replace one every 2 years if U don't have to. It's a pain.

No sense in sticking with OEM new, if it only lasts the same as a REMAN (which, at least in my case, it did). And it's pricey.  

That's why I recommeneded a new non-OEM replacement. If you don't plan on putting more than another ~80K on it, then of course I'd cheap out & spend the $39 for a REMAN. Many REMAN components are actually BETTER than OEM, since they use upgraded components (better bearings, seals...) that were known to be weak in the OEM components. That doesn't seem to be the case with the water pumps I was getting...  

I wasn't trying to say you didn't put on three. Just trying to say that's two replacements that lasted 80k. You don't know how long the third will last.

Sorry I offended you.  

3 of 'em lasted 80Kmiles:
OEM lasted ~80Kmiles (took 6 hrs to replace --learning curve)
1st REMAN lasted ~80Kmiles (took 2 hrs to replace)
2nd REMAN lasted ~80Kmiles (took 1 hr to replace)

I would assume the Earth reclaimed the frame & body (we're in the "salt belt"...which could be the root of the problem...) before the 3rd REMAN saw ~320K on the Odo...

I see a pattern. No offense taken.    

I guess mine should go anytime now.  I have an 04 tj with 81k miles.  Then again I don't live in the rust belt.