Water pump - front only or both pieces?

[itwonder]

I understand the Cardone #571373 rebuilt water pump is the front part only, and it includes the gasket to go between the front and back. My question is can the front piece only be changed without removing the whole unit from the car? Is it necessary to remove the whole unit to do the timing belt and CPS? Seems to me it would be better if I can just leave the back part alone because of all the problems I've read about o-ring leaks when it is disturbed.

 

[93rev2sev]

Yes remove the whole unit.
Separate the 2 halves of the original unit and put the new pump on the old housing...which has no moving parts...so it probably won't need replacing.

Then, clean up the block where the old housing will sit and use a new housing to block gasket(o-ring).

If you are worried about it leaking, use a little RTV on the block before installing.

 

[NiNeTy Fo SHO]

When I replaced my water pump at ~135K, I only did the outside part. This contained all the parts that could fail and I did not have to remove the timing belt (the big advantage for me at the time - this was before I knew about the SHOForum). It had started leaking, I replaced it, and to this day (knock on wood for crying out loud) the water pump had never given me a problem, nor the CPS or timing belt.

Thinking back, I am glad and would only change the outside if I had to do it again today. Much cheaper, much easier, and a lot less worries...for me at least.

EDIT: Oh, I just flipped up 174K and this was about 4ish years ago...still no leaking or cooling problems.

 

[Off Road SHO]

If the back half, that connects to the blocke and transfer tube is not leaking, don't fix it. Do like you originally planned.

Tom

 

[SHOtimer]

When I replaced my water pump at ~135K, I only did the outside part. This contained all the parts that could fail and I did not have to remove the timing belt (the big advantage for me at the time - this was before I knew about the SHOForum). It had started leaking, I replaced it, and to this day (knock on wood for crying out loud) the water pump had never given me a problem, nor the CPS or timing belt.

Thinking back, I am glad and would only change the outside if I had to do it again today. Much cheaper, much easier, and a lot less worries...for me at least.

EDIT: Oh, I just flipped up 174K and this was about 4ish years ago...still no leaking or cooling problems.

I would be worrying about the integrity of your timing belt.....

Doug

 

[NiNeTy Fo SHO]

I would be worrying about the integrity of your timing belt.....

Doug

Small things. Actually, when we did the water pump, the belt looked pretty good...not new, but good.