LT1 Water Pump Life Expectancy ?

[CAJUN C4]

I'm wondering if I should change my water pump as preventitive maintanence on my 95' ?

It has 58K Miles on it.

At what mileage did your go out?

 

[Woz Z06]

I'm wondering if I should change my water pump as preventitive maintanence on my 95' ?

It has 58K Miles on it.

At what mileage did your go out?

Replaced mine at 80K on my Impala SS, which lasted about eight years. I did replace my opti-crap as a precautionary measure though.

 

[JimBobC4]

Replaced mine at 80K on my Impala SS, which lasted about eight years. I did replace my opti-crap as a precautionary measure though.

Mine was replaced at 80k with the original Opti still in place at 88k

 

[So Bay Vetter]

I replaced mine at 60K when I replaced the opti. It wasn't leaking but I didn't want to have it fail on a new opti especially since they're not all that expensive.

 

[G Winter]

If coolant has been kept in good shape, replaced at a reasonable interval, then a water pump should last well over 100k.


Glenn

 

[Woz Z06]

If coolant has been kept in good shape, replaced at a reasonable interval, then a water pump should last well over 100k.


Glenn

I agree, but the manufacture's coolant replacement interval is 100K. My bearings were shot.

 

[So Bay Vetter]

I agree, but the manufacture's coolant replacement interval is 100K. My bearings were shot.

My memory may be a bit off but, I believe there are several posts buried in CAC that suggest the coolant begins to deteriorate after 4 years and can cause damage to seals and gaskets. Actually, I usually end up with a repair that requires draining coolant at least every year or two. I can't imagine a C4 making it to 100K without some reason to drain/replace coolant.

 

[G Winter]

I don't agree with GM on their 100,000 mile coolant. There have been issues with head gasket and intake gasket failure that many attribute to the coolant.No way would I run any coolant 100k .

Glenn

 

[Tuna]

My original 92 water pump with for over 100K miles and 11 years - then again, my 92 was a daily driver.

I've known people with LT1's that had to replace their water pump after only 12-15K miles. However, those cars were garage queens and rarely driven.

It appears that the pump seals like to be lubricated every now and then or that start leaking.

 

[LT4man]

What a lot of people forget is how important changing one's oil is.

With regular oil changes, the engines reciprocating parts are able to work the way they were designed. This has an exact bearing on all of the accessory parts running off your engine. Alternator, starter, water pump, distributor/Optispark, power steering pump, A/C compressor.

My water pump was replaced under (extended) warranty at about 50,000 miles. It had just started leaking out of the weep hole.

That is the only part that has been replaced on my LT4 except for tune-up parts.

Oh, I did rebuild the solenoid on my starter. I have two (2) threads here about that: one in C4 General Discussion & one in C4 Technical & Performance. Good reading, if I may say so.

SAVE THE

 

[RVN]

I had bad luck with my '94 Z28, the original water pump failed at 22k, it was replaced under warranty. That water pump went out at 29k and the car was just over the 3 year warranty, so I had to buy that one. That water pump is now eleven years old and the car has 70k on the odometer. I replaced the heater hose once and I regularly change the coolant every three to four years.

I can't see any reason to replace it until it goes out.

 

[Woz Z06]

I don't agree with GM on their 100,000 mile coolant. There have been issues with head gasket and intake gasket failure that many attribute to the coolant.No way would I run any coolant 100k .

Glenn

That's a good point. I don't follow the recommended intervals for engine oil, trans or differential fluid changes either. Probably safe bet to change the Dex-Cool early also.

 

[LT4man]

GM recommendation is 5 years OR 100,000 miles, whichever occurs FIRST!

Bought my Collector Edition new in 96.

Changed the Dex-Cool after five (5) years in 2001. The stuff I took out looked so good, I could have put it back in.

Changed it again after another five (5) years in 2006. Again the coolant I removed looked as good as it did the day I put it in.

Will change the coolant again in 2011.

No issues whatsoever with the Dex-Cool.

SAVE THE

 

[CAJUN C4]

I change all fluids at 30K mi. inervals on the daily driven 95' ( except Engine Oil of course),PS,Rear End,Trans, Collant,Brake Fluid etc.It's a good rule of thumb.
The LT4 is a different story.I change it every 2 years or so as I only put 2-3K Miles on it in any given year.

 

[Ruby Fan]

I agree with Tuna,(above)..my '94 Trans Am(LT-1) sprung a leak after sitting on jackstands for over 3 yrs. When I had to move it, coolant was leaking out like a gasket was completely blown,which had been changed to red, which was suppose to be allowed, but running engines much more frequently seems to make things last longer.

 

[CAJUN C4]

You think once week is sufficient ?My LT4 Sits in the garage from week to week.

 

[Boeingdriver]

You think once week is sufficient ?My LT4 Sits in the garage from week to week.

....mine too.

 

[LT4man]

My advice on how often one should start and drive their Vette is as follows:

If you do not drive the Vette on a daily basis, I would definitely find an excuse to drive it at least two (2) times a week during nice weather. From Spring to Fall I would drive it far enough so the top operating temperature is reached every time you drive it.

During the winter months, if you are not driving the Vette, I would start it and run it at least once a week. Run it long enough for the coolant to reach the full operating temperature.

As long as the engine gets to operating temperature, the gaskets & seals will continue to work. This goes for the brake system, also. As long as the brakes are used, the seals will continue to do their job.

Hope this helps!

SAVE THE