Water pump durability
 

Here's a quick question for those with vastly more automotive knowledge than myself: How long should the typical water pump on my 2001 9-3 last? I've got 130k on my car and I've now gone through two of them (first was under warranty, at least). Any way to prolong the life of them? I ask because it's a PITA to dig out of and put back in the engine compartment and for someone not mechanically inclined like me, that means (up, up, up) labor charges.

RE: Water pump durability
 

It's not a difficult job at all though... typically I'd say 70K miles is the lifespan. No way to prolongue the life though.

RE: Water pump durability
 

That's what I was afraid of. Damn.

RE: Water pump durability
 

i guess im lucky then my pumps been on since my car left the showroom in 1989.
i have 198,000 miles on it now

RE: Water pump durability
 

I guess they don't make 'em like they used to. :)

The type of antifreeze would not have anything to do with it, would it? I've heard various things (most commonly that af is af, just don't mix types), but when I got the warrantied pump replaced by the dealer, it was filled with green (Prestone?) af, definitely not "Saab" af. When I last had it changed out, the new af was again Prestone (this time, I was sure). Any merit to this theory and it is worth it to drain and flush the system to put different af in?

RE: Water pump durability
 

if you're referring to the blue antifreeze than it's really nothing special...theoretically it lives longer, thats all.

RE: Water pump durability
 

i flush the system four times a year. i mix theantifreeze 50/50 with purified spring water

RE: Water pump durability
 

4 times a year? Do you really see impurities build up that quickly? Recommended interval is only once every three years. Do you use regular af or something special?

RE: Water pump durability
 

wow... and I thought I was paranoid...

RE: Water pump durability
 

i take every precaution due to this being a track/street car the more you race the hotter the engine gets the hotter it gets the more scale build up and the ph will change