Community Forums

rjjastone · 10-16-2019, 11:34 AM

Cummins 5.9L ISB (24V) water pump in '99 Holiday Rambler is leaking and needs replacement. I'm looking for advice/comments regarding using a NAPA (Gates) water pump @ ~ $50, vs. Cummins OEM pump @ over $100. In your opinion, is the 2x+ price of the Cummins OEM water pump justified, or am I just paying for the brand name?

Thanks, Russ

Old-Biscuit · 10-16-2019, 12:34 PM

OEM pump no better then Aftermarket

winniman · 10-16-2019, 01:42 PM

It is the exact same water pump that is on millions of dodge 5.9
Cummins trucks. I paid around 100 dollars when I replaced mine. 50 dollars sounds kind of cheap. I doubt the water pump is made by Cummins anyway. Order it from a reputable auto parts dealer. They will know if it is worth the extra money. Very common part. Every auto parts store will have one in stock most likely.

Pmiller1 · 10-16-2019, 01:47 PM

Two different rubber seals , make sure you get the same one as yours is ... One is round and one is flat ..

1320Fastback · 10-16-2019, 04:41 PM

Once you get to it it'll be the easiest water pump you've ever changed.

I like the Gates brand and is what's been in my truck for years. Also run a Green Stripe belt if your not already. They are the severe duty commercial belt used in school busses and what not.

MnTom · 10-17-2019, 10:06 AM

I just replaced the water pump on my '05 5.9. O'Rielly had two listings for them. One had a one year warranty, the other had a lifetime warranty. Lifetime warranty and a suction device was $64 out the door. The $50 pump would be my choice. No reason to pay extra for the name on the building where you purchased it from.

rjjastone · 10-18-2019, 09:36 AM

Thanks to all for your valued input. I'll check the gasket cross-section, and then probably go with a Gates pump. Also will replace 10 year old serpentine belt with Gates Green Stripe, and then carry a spare.

Belt tensioner bearing still feels smooth, and the spring is strong, but I saw in another thread where the user carries spare tensioner bearing(s). Does anyone have the bearing number for a 1998 era 5.9L tensioner pulley?

Thanks again to all -- what a fabulous source of expertise!

MnTom · 10-18-2019, 10:25 AM

I personally can't say as I have ever heard of anyone replacing bearings in the tensioner. I have read about people that have replaced it preemptively. They do last a long time though. I just sold a 1996 truck with 332,000 miles on it and as far as I know it was still original. I only owned and used that truck for 18 years and 200,000 miles.....
In other words, i personally wouldn't worry about it unless it is bouncing and /or rough feeling.

rjjastone · 10-19-2019, 09:22 AM

As follow-up, I have ordered the following water pump and fan drive belt P/N's for my '99 Cummins 5.9L ISB-RV275 (CM550) Encore engine:

1. Gates 41176HD water pump, to replace OEM P/N 5473238/3286278,
2. Gates K080694HD (Green Stripe) serpentine belt, to replace OEM P/N 3289257.

I was able to order both of them from RockAuto at just over $100, total.

With all the water pump P/N variants available for the 5.9L Cummins engines over the years, and especially due to the many used in the various RAM truck applications, it was a somewhat daunting task to select the "best" one for my RV application. The belt was a consensus "no brainer". The tensioner spring is strong and the pulley bearing feels very smooth, so I've decided against replacing that; ". . . . if it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

Once again, thanks to all on this forum who responded to my inquiries.