Water Pump Life?

[Reckless]

How long should the water pump last? 100k?

Has anyone had bad luck with $40 GMB water pumps off ebay? $40 GMB water Pump
Debating whether its worth spending the extra $70 for oem. My coolant was low in both tank/radiator and so Im preparing if water pump is the problem. I replaced it 100k miles ago with radiator.

 

[TLC2013]

It was more common among the first couple years of the 200 series to encounter water pump failures under 100k. This is what I noticed in my research before i found my 2013. Ended up replacing the WP at 85k when i did the radiator even though the WP was still working perfectly. Do you see any evidence of pink coolant by the WP. Another area to inspect is for the coolant valley leak. This is a known trouble area on the 5.7.

 

[Reckless]

I replaced it around 100k miles ago. Not sure how long they are expected to last. I dont see any leaks currently just surprised how low my coolant is.

 

[TLC2013]

The WP is usually a slow failure that starts with a small leak/weep that would be noticeable when you poke around the area. If you don't see anything by the WP you should start looking for a coolant valley leak. How many miles are now on your 200 ?

 

[Sandroad]

How long should the water pump last? 100k?

Has anyone had bad luck with $40 GMB water pumps off ebay? $40 GMB water Pump
Debating whether its worth spending the extra $70 for oem. My coolant was low in both tank/radiator and so Im preparing if water pump is the problem. I replaced it 100k miles ago with radiator.

Don't debate the WP decision further, get the OEM. But, It's probably not the WP causing the low coolant.

As noted by @TLC2013 , unless you see the WP leaking, the low coolant is likely caused by a leak under the intake manifold area.

 

[04UZJ100]

DO NOT bolt anything that is non-OEM to a JDM Toyota motor. Ever.

 

[auggafj80]

My original water pump went 240k or so. 08LC. It was starting to weep a little. I won’t wait til 500k to change it again. Just saying you can push it a little if you need to.

 

[molanginaeda]

First, never trust eBay parts. $30 saving is not worth the risk. I learn lesson on eBay parts.

 

[Reckless]

The WP is usually a slow failure that starts with a small leak/weep that would be noticeable when you poke around the area. If you don't see anything by the WP you should start looking for a coolant valley leak. How many miles are now on your 200 ?

260k, a week ago I turned on the heat at max on summer night to dry my sandals from swimming pool and i saw a lot of water dump underneath vehicle. I thought it was ac condensation but it was a big dump in parking lot but looked like water not coolant (didnt see oily streaks). I dont see any leaks but I had to refill coolant completely after 1 year. I think I changed water pump 100k miles ago but not 100% sure. Mechanic didnt see any signs of coolant leaking either. Just weird that I had to refill it completely. Mechanic topped it off in radiator and said if it overheats again its wp. So i went on ebay, for germans oem grade parts were just as good so I considered aftermarket parts but seeing responses here will stick with OEM.

 

[borfoo3]

How long should the water pump last? 100k?

Has anyone had bad luck with $40 GMB water pumps off ebay? $40 GMB water Pump
Debating whether its worth spending the extra $70 for oem. My coolant was low in both tank/radiator and so Im preparing if water pump is the problem. I replaced it 100k miles ago with radiator.

saving $70 is not worth the damage of an overheated engine if the cooling system fails.. let alone being stranded somewhere far from tarmac.

 

[bloc]

saving $70 is not worth the damage of an overheated engine if the cooling system fails.. let alone being stranded somewhere far from tarmac.

Exactly. That cost difference over 100k miles is insanely low.. there is no way I’d take the risk of a cheap part in that important role.

Not like we are talking the choice between $10,000 and $5,000.

 

[CharlieS]

One data point: the water pump on my previous 200 was weeping and had pink crusty on the engine at around 110k, when I swapped it for a new Toyota pump. I would also go Toyota for the few bucks difference, but you may be able to get the OE part for a few bucks less.

 

[TLC2013]

260k, a week ago I turned on the heat at max on summer night to dry my sandals from swimming pool and i saw a lot of water dump underneath vehicle. I thought it was ac condensation but it was a big dump in parking lot but looked like water not coolant (didnt see oily streaks). I dont see any leaks but I had to refill coolant completely after 1 year. I think I changed water pump 100k miles ago but not 100% sure. Mechanic didnt see any signs of coolant leaking either. Just weird that I had to refill it completely. Mechanic topped it off in radiator and said if it overheats again its wp. So i went on ebay, for germans oem grade parts were just as good so I considered aftermarket parts but seeing responses here will stick with OEM.

Did you notice any over heating issues or the temp gauge reading high? You mention that that you had to refill the coolant completely, How much are you taking about? The system holds a few gallons. Could it be that air was in the system after the water pump was replaced? I have had to add about a half gallon during the “burping” process when topping off the coolant after working on the system.

 

[Reckless]

Temp gauge has been slightly fluctuating for 2-3 weeks. It went high twice: once when I got home where I filled the tank with 2/3 gallon coolant. Second time it overheated I took to shop and mechanic filled radiator 2/3 gallon. While it was there I had him change the PCV valve which was stuck (had it sitting in my car to install).

 

[bloc]

Seriously consider taking a close look for signs of valley leak. Most people will see light pink streaks down the back of the engine and bell housing.

If that volume had leaked out of the pump you’d probably know about it. Smell, drips on the ground, etc. But the valley tends to hold the coolant while the water evaporates out of it so much less of the total leaked amount actually hits the ground.