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coralcrazed Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE ![Email](http://www.dodgedakota.net/amb/icons/email.gif)
9/02/2009 18:32:31
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Subject: Water pump... IP: Logged
Message: I have a 2000 dodge dakota pick up 2WD with 78K miles... i was wondering if i should replace it??? I have heard that its only a matter of time that they go and can cause damage to the engine if it does. I have to switch out the serpentine belt anyway so i figured that while i'm in there i might as well do it. I don't hear any noise coming from the water pump should I wait longer? does anyone know the life expectancy of this pump? thanks
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daddio Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE ![Email](http://www.dodgedakota.net/amb/icons/email.gif)
9/02/2009 20:42:49
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Message: My '00 has 106K on it with the original waterpump and I don't think it's giving up the ghost anytime soon. I've seen waterpumps go out at 30k and I've seen them last near 300K.
To me, it is not one of the preventative maintenance items. Changing it now would be totally up to you. If you don't feel safe with what you have then change it.
A couple of notes:
They usually start to leak from the weep hole when they start to give out.
Change the T-stat also. I never change a waterpump without changing the T-stat.
Check your hoses too. Especially that nasty little bypass hose. They usually go before the pump.
Last, If you maintain your cooling system as the factory specifies, those components will last much longer.
Sorry about the length of my post. I guess I got a little carried away.
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withheld Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE
9/02/2009 20:44:34
| RE: Water pump... IP: Logged
Message: If maintenance was kept up (cooling system flushed) you shouldn't have any problems. Every 50,000 I've done mine & new T-stat at 129,000 the water pump was still fine. I changed the timing chain so I did install a new pump since I had it all apart.
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coralcrazed Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE ![Email](http://www.dodgedakota.net/amb/icons/email.gif)
9/02/2009 23:31:07
| RE: Water pump... IP: Logged
Message: actually, I havn't flushed the coolant until a week ago, all I've been doing is toping it off. No needless to say at 78K it was nasty. i did do a thourough cleaning and flushing. i changed out the t-stat and so i guess i will look at the original pump and see if it needs replacing. the timing chain I thought needs no changing since its a chain not a belt... am I wrong??? thanks so much for all of your help.
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withheld Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE
9/03/2009 00:30:31
| RE: Water pump... IP: Logged
Message: Chains wear & stretch however I have a mid 90's and with the chain I added the tentioner. I believe your 2000 came from the factory with one. If so your chain will go a good many miles farther.
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daddio Dodge Dakota JOIN HERE ![Email](http://www.dodgedakota.net/amb/icons/email.gif)
9/03/2009 08:58:21
| RE: Water pump... IP: Logged
Message: Coralcrazed, your timing chain should be fine. A lot of people don't realize that premature timing chain wear can be caused by contaminated engine oil. Like not changing your oil on a regular basis as recommended by the factory.
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Mark Forum Moderator
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9/03/2009 09:03:35
| RE: Water pump... IP: Logged
Message: My first water pump had to be changed at 99k miles. The second one had to be changed at 170k miles. I believe the second one lasted less because I ran it for a while at first with straight water. Antifreeze lubricates the pump and helps it last longer. I would wait until the pump leaks a bit out the bottom and change it immediately after that. Be careful not to overheat.
It is a lot more work to change the water pump beyond removing the serpentine belt... at least in my truck.
-Mark Hryckiewicz 1993 Sport RC SB 5.2L Auto
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