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Did the water pump design change?


millerwl71

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I have a 92 Z34 and changed the water pump. I bought it from Autozone. I notice when I took it out of the box it looked different then the stock one I pulled out. Like a boat impeller on it. On the way home from work I stopped at Advance auto and ask for the water pump for my car thinking autozone screwed up. Nope it was the same thing. So I went home put the new one on, got it up to temp and relieved the air pressure through the system. Temp held good while idling so I hope in my car and headed home from a buddy's house. Got on the freeway and after about 2-3 min, the temp gage shot up to the red. I pulled over and as soon as I got down to regular idle the temp dropped down to normal and stayed. Took off again and after another 2-3 min it just flew right up to red, so I got pissed hammered the gas and the temp went down to normal. As soon as I went back to normal cruising it shot up. Again I hammered it and it went down to normal. I bled the hell out of the system, changed the thermostat 3 x's and still only at regular driving the temp shoots up. So could it be the water pump? I started a topic on this about a month or 2 ago, and one person replied and said: I meant to ask, what kind of water pump did you buy? There is one out there with a different style of impeller fins that is wrong. The incorrect ones are usually the cheap rebuilt units, with a steel impeller like you'd see on imports. Kind of looks like a "star". I have heard these pumps do not work well and will cause overheating. So has anybody else had this problem or a different looking water pump. Thanks for you patience

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I work at a GM dealer in STL and bout 2 yrs ago they went from one part # for those pumps to two #'s depending on the model year of the car ....and yes to all thinking that seems weird ..I thought and think that is weird too.... my information may be unrelated but who knows. Remember you are dealing with the aftermarket, but I will add this that a Carquest or Napa like Turbo231 mentioned are actual parts stores and are more focused towards "hard" parts and less on the flashy accessories...just look inside of each one of their stores

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I just did the pump swap 2 days ago, I noticed the design change, but have had no problems. I however also changed out the power steering pump at the same time.. only to have the pully explode today... always odd.

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I also bought mine at autozone and it was the duralast brand. Mine had a paper in it stating they changed the impeller design for "better efficiency". Yes it is like a star design made of thin sheet metal fins, rather than cast fins . I didn't like that part either. Now I had no problems with it just a problem with purging air and completly filling the system, then I found I needed a new radiator. Murrays Discount Auto stocks cardone brand water pumps and they look like the orginal stock version.

 

Cardon brand

5513127-1.jpg

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Ok, I went to carquest to see if they had the water pump I wanted. He asked if I wanted new or rebuilt. I said New. He brought it to me and took it out, CRAP!!!! It was the same one!!! I said for the heck of it could I see the rebuilt? He said sure but it's going to be the same. He brought that one to me. He took it out of the box and oopps he was wrong. It's the one I wanted all along, and it says GM right on it. So now I am going to put it on and see if that does the trick. I hope so. And also with the new design I also had a problem like KCFITZ78 with the with purging air and completely filling the system. I took a pic of the new design and the old one, which is the one I wanted and now have. Hopefully the pic shows up. New design is on left and stock is on right.

 

[attachment deleted by admin] Removed to free up storage space.

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Lesson learned from this? Always ask to see ever brand they carry for that part, new or used. Most of the time you can see which is the better part just by looking at it. The cost diff wouldn't be more than double for the cast water pump but its worth it to pay more for the cast pump. When I got mine I bought it before I removed my old pump. Who knew the pumps would be different. I was pissed but had to use it cause I didn't have time to go back.

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I have a 92 Z34 and changed the water pump. I bought it from Autozone. I notice when I took it out of the box it looked different then the stock one I pulled out. Like a boat impeller on it. On the way home from work I stopped at Advance auto and ask for the water pump for my car thinking autozone screwed up. Nope it was the same thing. So I went home put the new one on, got it up to temp and relieved the air pressure through the system. Temp held good while idling so I hope in my car and headed home from a buddy's house. Got on the freeway and after about 2-3 min, the temp gage shot up to the red. I pulled over and as soon as I got down to regular idle the temp dropped down to normal and stayed. Took off again and after another 2-3 min it just flew right up to red, so I got pissed hammered the gas and the temp went down to normal. As soon as I went back to normal cruising it shot up. Again I hammered it and it went down to normal. I bled the hell out of the system, changed the thermostat 3 x's and still only at regular driving the temp shoots up. So could it be the water pump? I started a topic on this about a month or 2 ago, and one person replied and said: I meant to ask, what kind of water pump did you buy? There is one out there with a different style of impeller fins that is wrong. The incorrect ones are usually the cheap rebuilt units, with a steel impeller like you'd see on imports. Kind of looks like a "star". I have heard these pumps do not work well and will cause overheating. So has anybody else had this problem or a different looking water pump. Thanks for you patience

 

UHHH DUH on me you prolly dont have all the air "burped" out of the cooling system 3100's and 3400's anre one of the hardest motors to get all the air purged out so therefore you have pockets lacking coolant ne one else agree???

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I sort of agree but who knows how stupid one could be putting the belt back on. It's probably spinning the pump backwards. It could also be drawing in more air or the same thing on the pressure valves. Also I'd say the temp sensors are shot and theres a surge not preventing proper levels on the dash. So yeah I totally dig the new design. I want one. Everyone donate a dollar for my cause so I can get the new one. Thanks.

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right

those temp sensors were working right till he replaced the pump is what you are saying? then they decided to quit

as far as the belt it would be "laying in the driveway" if he did it wrong

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right

those temp sensors were working right till he replaced the pump is what you are saying? then they decided to quit

as far as the belt it would be "laying in the driveway" if he did it wrong

 

 

 

No. No. No. Speedin around town makes the needle go back down and the belt stayed on. He doesn't even know it yet because he never checked it. He doesn't even know why he got the new one to begin with. Hey don't drop your cup of Kool Aid for some reason now I think micro cracks are developing in the power steering pump.

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Just keep purging it. Maybe do another flush or two with water. Could be blockage. My radiartor was worthless after I did a flush. Also don't use the orange juice, it has pulp in it. (stay with green coolant.)

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Belt was on right, and I purged the air out like 20 times. Tried new thermostats, 3 to be exact. Drove with no thermostat and that is the onlt time it never overheated. So I did everything right, I'm just hoping it's not a head gasket. I hope to take it out tomorrow for a test drive with the GM water pump.

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Do you have any idea what happens if you mix green Kool Aid with Orange Juice?

 

 

Now that you need new heads, if you think its on right, I'll bet it's a loose belt. And there should be two temp sensors. One controls the dial. I'd sell you one but I'm not a part dealer.

 

 

 

 

We'll see you back here after your joy ride.

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Well, I put the rebuilt pump on. I raced around town also hit the hwy for some constant speed. And guess WHAT!! The problem WAS the new designed water pump. I put the rebuilt on and it's back to normal. I didn't even need to purge it. So, whoever wanted that cool looking new designed pump for there car can have. I'd also give you the belt I put on backwards (NOT!!!), but since it was a brand new on there already, I think I'll keep it. Just have to pay for shipping for the pump though. Thanks for the all the help guys!!

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