car myth busters

carlos3366 · 12-18-2009, 11:02 AM

Reality check on car-care myths- Yahoo! Autos Article Page

kannibul · 12-18-2009, 11:19 AM

None of it was news to me.

The one about flushing coolant with oil changes? Seriously? Never heard that myth. I can count on 2 fingers how many times I've flushed coolant in a vehicle, and both times were due to a water pump being changed out.

370Zsteve · 12-18-2009, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kannibul

None of it was news to me.

The one about flushing coolant with oil changes? Seriously? Never heard that myth. I can count on 2 fingers how many times I've flushed coolant in a vehicle, and both times were due to a water pump being changed out.

Guess what! If you had changed the coolant, chances are high that you would not have had to change the water pump.

vipor · 12-18-2009, 11:28 AM

water pump seals go out after time. that's why they have a "weeping seal" so you know when it's time to replace them. same as power steering pumps.

(this is all general information, not necessarily Z info. most of my experience on cars was on 70's chevys and other misc cars i've had, esp my 95 dodge spirit

)

370Zsteve · 12-18-2009, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vipor

water pump seals go out after time. that's why they have a "weeping seal" so you know when it's time to replace them. same as power steering pumps.

(this is all general information, not necessarily Z info. most of my experience on cars was on 70's chevys and other misc cars i've had, esp my 95 dodge spirit

)

Coolant has water pump lubricants that decay over time; stale coolant also eats water pump seals.

My worst experience with water pumps was 70's GM products. Awful, just awful.

95 Dodge Spirit, yes that was a puker

I never replaced a water pump on any of the Subarus I've owned, total mileage about .75 million miles (lol) and they had coolant replaced every 2 years. Come to think of it, I've never replaced a water pump on any Japanese car I've owned in over 30 years.

carlos3366 · 12-18-2009, 11:36 AM

key words: GM and Dodge.

vipor · 12-18-2009, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlos3366

key words: GM and Dodge.

kannibul · 12-18-2009, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370Zsteve

Guess what! If you had changed the coolant, chances are high that you would not have had to change the water pump.

1st water pump was on a 78 T-Bird, original water pump, more than 200K miles on it done in 1997. It was pissing out coolant through the weep-hole one day.

2nd water pump was changed since the mechanic had to remove it to change the timing belt, which was preventative maintenance on a 120K 97 ranger, this past winter. One of those, since you're doing this, you mind putting on a new one? I did the same with the thermostat and hoses. Did it need it - no...

OK, I just remembered that i had the coolant flushed in my 97 ranger when I bought it, 50K miles, in 2001.

Lug · 12-18-2009, 12:28 PM

I've changed water pumps on GM products at least 5 times, no other brand.

kenchan · 12-18-2009, 02:39 PM

sometimes the less you read, the smarter you are.

carlos3366 · 12-18-2009, 07:55 PM

my damn camry needed a new h20 pump at 45k miles, it was still covered under warranty and stealer replaced.

PapoZalsa · 12-18-2009, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370Zsteve

Guess what! If you had changed the coolant, chances are high that you would not have had to change the water pump.

That would be true for older cars, especially domestic ones. However, a water pump will not last for ever.

12-18-2009, 11:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
carlos3366 Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 54 Drives: 05 camry, 97 500sl Rep Power: 16	car myth busters Reality check on car-care myths- Yahoo! Autos Article Page

12-18-2009, 11:28 AM	#4 (permalink)
vipor A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Euless, TX [ DFW ] Age: 42 Posts: 13,531 Drives: Nismo 09-0183 QAB Rep Power: 49	water pump seals go out after time. that's why they have a "weeping seal" so you know when it's time to replace them. same as power steering pumps. (this is all general information, not necessarily Z info. most of my experience on cars was on 70's chevys and other misc cars i've had, esp my 95 dodge spirit ) __________________ 2009 NISMO # 0193 \| QAB \| Albums! \| 05.04.10 (Dynojet) 291.94hp/248.28tq Oil Cooler (DIY) \| Custom Headlights \| GTSPEC Braces \| F.I. Long Tube Headers

12-18-2009, 12:28 PM	#9 (permalink)
Lug A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 1,926 Drives: 2006 350Z Rep Power: 20	I've changed water pumps on GM products at least 5 times, no other brand. __________________ keep Chubbs in your pocket - Chubbs

12-18-2009, 11:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
kannibul A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Jenks, OK Posts: 2,281 Drives: 370z Touring/Sport Rep Power: 267	None of it was news to me. The one about flushing coolant with oil changes? Seriously? Never heard that myth. I can count on 2 fingers how many times I've flushed coolant in a vehicle, and both times were due to a water pump being changed out.

12-18-2009, 11:36 AM	#6 (permalink)
carlos3366 Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 54 Drives: 05 camry, 97 500sl Rep Power: 16	key words: GM and Dodge.

12-18-2009, 02:39 PM	#10 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	sometimes the less you read, the smarter you are.

12-18-2009, 07:55 PM	#11 (permalink)
carlos3366 Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 54 Drives: 05 camry, 97 500sl Rep Power: 16	my damn camry needed a new h20 pump at 45k miles, it was still covered under warranty and stealer replaced.