Water pump

[Phillips0417]

Trying to find out if I've got the plastic impeller water pump or metal. Is there a way to tell without taking it out? Probably not, but maybe if someone knew? Then, if I take it out and it is indeed the better quality metal impeller, can I just re-install it? I'm planning on changing the plastic thermostat housing to the aluminum type to better displace heat and risk of breaking, and the hoses are relatively new, still have stickers. So I'm gonna do that regardless, but while I've got it torn down, I'll go ahead and replace the water pump. My car has 129k on the odometer, like I said before, the lady took excellent care of it and it sat in her garage when she got her new one. All invoices for maintenance are there, just can't find one pertaining to installing new water pump. Anyways, thanks for the help guys.

[RacerJames666]

If this the 93' you have listed on your rides section, and you can't find any evidence that it's been changed, I'd bet my left testicle that plastic shod pump is indeed the one lurking in your motor. GET RID OF IT! There is alot of "this and that" to be said about the story, and as far as I can tell, 96> was upgraded to metal impeller, but I have heard that there was some random mixing of plastic impellers in those years as well, albeit a much better/stronger form of composite used.

This is the 200 dollar option...supposedly suffers from half the parasitic drag, and flows 20% more than stock pump.


This is probably what's in my car; the upgraded plastic bit. 120$


And a comparison! Yours is like the shitty one on the right

Hope that sheds some light!

[Phillips0417]

Heh..Thanks! I've been thinking about it non-stop for a couple days while I'm driving 50 miles to work...But say I get it out, only to find unbeknownst to me, it IS the metal impeller, simply re-install or does it need a new O-ring, gasket or anything? I kinda hope I have the plastic so I can just replace it and get it over with! Only evidence I can see to tell if it's been changed is that the aluminum behind the water pump pulley IS considerably cleaner, but not clean clean. Cleaner But no correspondence to relate it's been changed..ok ok enough I know.. The HP water pump is from Stewart right? I've seen that one on Bav Auto. Really worth the $200 for an otherwise stock car? Thanks for the help James!

[RacerJames666]

Its not really necessary to buy the Stewart pump unless you have no problems spending the money for it. Its nice, and more better-er than stock, but OEM(upgraded) is sufficient.
If you yank the pump, plan on replacing any gaskets/o-rings encountered for peace of mind. O-rings are reusable to a certain extent, provided they are free of any tears/funky business, but in general, if your goin in, do it right and save yourself some grief....ive been there.
One thing to try if your temp guage is readin higher than usual(exp. at idle+no forward movenent), whilst engine is running, reach in and squeeze the upper radiator hose closed with your hands to feel how much pressure builds. If very little to none is felt, your pump is kaput!

All in all, just replace it now and breathe a little easier

[Phillips0417]

yeah, I think that's what I'll do anyways, along with the thermostat and housing. Which thermostat in your guy's opinion is better, the stock or the M thermostat which I believe is 88 Celcius? Whatever that is in Degrees...Thanks!