I have ~125000 miles on my 99 expy. I needed to replace my radiator, so while I was at it, I'm replacing my radiator hoses, thermostat, and serp belt. Since I have everything apart, should I go ahead and replace the water pump? I'm going to pull it to inspect it in the morning, but externally it looks and feels fine. If it looks fine internally, is it safe to keep? I'm just curious as to the life expectancy of them in general.

 

I dont think they are that expensive. If I was that deep, I would go ahead as well. Flush that motor good too. I'm talking with a hose and then shop-vac out all the ports. Replace the hose clamps also, they get corroated and could snap at any time. I do not recommend the screw-clamps, use the same ones that are on there now.


Could you also take some pictures? Engine, waterpump and such

 

Oops, sorry, I should have checked back sooner and I would have gotten my wife to take some pics of the progress. I ended up replacing the water pump as after I pulled it, the surface behind the vanes were pitted and coolant could escape past to the O-ring which was in bad shape itself. Considering it was all factory it wasn't too bad, but it needed replacing.

I reused the existing clamps as they looked fine. I did use one screw type at the lower radiator connection as the factory one wasn't removable. Why do you not recommended the screw ones?

$85 for the water pump as none of the local autozones had remans that I could subtract the core price off of.

I do have the old water pump if pics of it are of any use. Let me know.

 

Screw ones often come undone from the constant expanding and retracting that comes with a cooling system. They are also thin and dig into the hose and cut it

 

Where did you get a pump for $85? I got a brand new one with lifetime warranty for about $60 at Autozone. That's for my 97 4.6. I'm not sure if you have the 4.6 or 5.4 but pump is the same for both. The link below is what came up for a 99 4.6 Expy.

http://www.autozone.com/R,APP199579/...ductDetail.htm