dmax27
Middlesex County , MA.
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Joined: 03/09/2004
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I was under my hood the other day and could smell a slight odor of anti freeze. I couldn't see any leaks. I checked the play in the water pump. I could feel movement in the shaft. Has anyone replaced their own Duramax water pump? How hard is it to do? I replaced my power steering pump myself a few month ago in the driveay. I was wondering how hard it is to do and how long it should take. I don't have a garage so I will be doing it in the driveway. It may have to wait until spring. It's been very cold hear lately.
Thanks for any help in advance.
Dmax 27
2001 2500HD LS D/A crew cab 6 1/2 box
K+N filter, Borla 4" s/s exhaust, Edge Juice/Attitude, Rear
Air Ride load levelers, 285/75r16 Bridgestone Dueler REVO
2002 Cedar Creek 33RLTS 5TH Wheel
2006 Fourwinns 220 Horizon 280 HP
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mtofell1
Oregon
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Joined: 12/08/2006
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Not sure about changing the pump but I'd want more evidence than it sounds like you have. I've never felt it on my Duramax but I constantly smelled antifreeze on my Titan and could feel a little play in the water pump. I just drove it for awhile and the dealer eventually found a slightly leaking hose. I've smelled anti-freeze on several trucks from time to time.
Water pumps generally seem to last longer on newer vehicles than in the old days. I swear I changed out the pump on my old Toyota Corolla every 15 thousand miles.
How many miles on your truck?
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donn0128
Pronounced Ore-gun
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Joined: 04/21/2005
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As I remember, changing the water pump is not a big deal. The problems come when you drain that antifreeze out. It is TOXIC WASTE. Then trying to refill the cooling system on the D'Max is a real pain in the rear end ratio to do and not have air bubbles. Probably one of those things best left to professionals with the proper recycling equipment
Donn
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dmax27
Middlesex County , MA.
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The truck has 95,000 miles on it. I'm not going to changh it until I know its bad. I'm going to be pulling the 5th wheel in April so I don't want to have any problems.
Dmax 27
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bluenote
Michigan
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Joined: 10/15/2001
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I had mine replaced (also a 2001) at about 125K miles. Same type of symptoms as yours and there had previously been absolutely zero antifreeze smell. The major issue with replacing the water pump on your truck is there is a special tool to remove the harmonic balancer (a necessary step to get everything off). I had it done at a small repair shop and they even had to rent the tool for a day from their tool supplier. If you are handy and can get the harmonic balancer tool, you should be able to do it yourself.
2001 Silverado 2500HD LS CC/SB Duramax/Allison Indigo Blue
2004 Cedar Creek 31LBHBS 5er
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Sundowner1
Chesapeake, VA
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Joined: 11/21/2006
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Actually, you can't even see the pump or shaft. The pump is inside the timing cover and is internally gear driven. You will never know its bad until it happens
Sundowner
04 Chevy 2500HD, Duramax, ext cab, short bed, 4X4
08 Fleetwood Quantum 325RKTS
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Tim from Alabama
PERPLEXED
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Joined: 04/07/2006
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If you're going to keep that vehicle, i'd opt for taking it to a dealership or at least a professional to have it done. And, i'd also ask and think about changing it with an electric water pump. They last much longer, don't have the shaft that is pulled sideways to wear the bearings out, and will remove a little of the HP loss from the engine. It's the same with the electric fan over manual belt driven fan. And, usually when it's installed, it lasts forever. It's just a little expensive.
It's what drag racers use and they usually last almost forever and pump a good bit more than manual driven ones.
If I don't meet your expectations
Maybe you should lower your standards.
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mapguy
Puget Sound
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Joined: 09/02/2007
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Does it still have Dexcool for coolant? If so get the leak repair quickly to minimize future problems. If you would do this repair on a normal car -you probably can do it on the dmax. Dexcool deteriorates quickly (turns ruddy brown) if the system is not fully sealed. There is a specific procedure to vent the air when refilling the dmax -just get a manual or visit a library or hunt down an online access point to a manual. Many library systems have online access to pro repair manuals.
IMO this is potential roadside breakdown under the stress of towing if proactive action is not taken now.
Map Guy
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