Whats average life for your water pump gasket, 200, 700, 900?

Earlier post I wrote, "Then to yet another water pump mushroom gasket." Average for me seems to be 5-6 years more or less. It sure seems like less. This had no oil leaking on it but I cannot say its true for the other cars.

The 240 had a leak and the car had to set a while. The alternator bushings were so worn out the metal block on the alternator adjusting screw started to rub against the harmonic balancer. I decided to park it for a while until I got a round tuit. The dripping coolant dripped onto the adjusting screw and froze it. I got some wiggle on the screw after a few months of PB Blaster but I broke it, the first one. The remaining end came right out.

I will now use anti-seize on the adjusting screws whether they are under the WP or not.

Tom

EDIT: I spoke too soon. I had this car since ~2007 and had not changed the WP gasket since therefore it has been 7+ years.

Hi Tom,

FYI.

My after market water pump lasted 88,900 miles from 8/12/2011 to 8/25/2014. The internal seal failed and water leaked out.

edit; 1987 245 DL auto

Mr. Baklava (aka Mr, Rust), Nice to hear from you. How is that floor pan holding up? I have not been very active here since I had a major life change resulting in being busier than ever.

Three years is not good but considering 88,900 miles, it is a little better. Brand? It seems like I have changed too may water pump gaskets though.

My thoughts on water pumps, change only when needed. I have done a few preemptive WP changes and one is still a spare. I have too many to work on, six between mine and the kid's. My subject 1992 244 WP may be the original with over 200K, A hand spin test felt good and the pee hole is dry. Wife's 95 944 is original with 134K.

Tom

Hi Tom,

I don't remember the brand but I can definitely tell you tomorrow.

Wow, 6 cars... :) I only have 4 cars (only 1 Volvo) to maintain and it's really hard to keep up.

Hi Tom,

FYI.

My mechanic used a Hepu. I replaced it with a GMB pump with a Volvo gasket set.

The welded panels are holding really good over the years. However, I am getting lots of tiny rust spots under the door and front/rear windshield area. My 87 will looks like a Zebra soon.

Thank you always.

--

Stay well by drink a glass of room temperature water every morning when you wake up. Keep drink a glass of water every hour until your pee color becomes clear, back off on drinking until your pee color becomes dark again.

The first 2 times I changed the water pump on my '84 I used GMB pumps. I don't recall having any problems with the donut gasket. After the timing belt broke on my way home from Charlotte about 10 years ago, I had the mechanics at a MB shop in Indian Trail replace the timing belt with a Volvo and the water pump with a GRAF. I don't think they replaced the thermostat, but coming home it seemed like the car ran cooler. I 've stuck with GRAF since then.

Andrew