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.

 

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.

 

That's what I was afraid of. Damn.

 

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

 

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?

 

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

 

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

 

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?

 

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

 

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