8.1 Water Pump and Overheating a Bit

[BigGeorge]

Left the storage yard today to get some routine maintenance done on the UFO chassis, generator and engine. I noticed the temperature gauge showing 3/4 to hot at every stop light. When I sped up it dropped back to the normal half way reading. Mechanic tells me there are signs of leakage in the weep holes of the water pump. He contends it should be replaced. In addition the thermostat should also be replaced and the cooling system flushed. It all sounds rational to me but I wanted to check in with the experts here?????

My rig is an 07 but only has 14,000 miles. I use it two or three times a month for 75 to 150 mile trips.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigGeorge My rig is an 07 but only has 14,000 miles. I use it two or three times a month for 75 to 150 mile trips.

There is a recall on the UFO and the water pump is a component of the recall. It's called 60901-CS. Call an authorized Workhorse Service Center with your VIN#.

Please read the attached letter.

[mfire1339]

Maybe it's just me but I would get another opinion. Was it low on coolant?


Mike

[mfire1339]

Now that sounds better!


Mike

[BigGeorge]

Thanks Driver. I checked long ago on the fan clutch recall and my VIN# didn't make the list. Now I'm scratching my head wondering if fan clutch and water pump are two different issues?

Yes, the radiator, thermostat and coolant levels are being checked. Though the water pump weeping indicates a replacement according to my shop????

I'll know more tomorrow and update the status. I've got a 500 mile trip planned for this weekend and am planning a 5,000 mile trip next year. Given what some folks on this site drive its not much but plenty for me.

I just went to the Workhorse website and verified that there were no open or completed campaigns that applied to my rig. Darn!

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigGeorge Yes, the radiator, thermostat and coolant levels are being checked. Though the water pump weeping indicates a replacement according to my shop????

I hope that "your shop" is a WCC service center because that's a special pump. In my experience when a pump begins weeping, it's time for a replacement.

[dieselclacker]

BigGeorge, You may in fact need a water pump replacement, but from your description of your original problem (temperature gauge flucation) usually will be caused by low coolant level rather than the pump. The coolant level could be low if it has been leaking from the weep hole for a long period of time. Were it me, I would take it to an authorized Workhorse service center for diagnosis and repair, as they should be familiar with the problems the UFO chassis has experienced with the fan coupling and water pumps in the past.

Dieselclacker

[TrekPR]

We took a 500 mile trip with the water pump weeping but I watched the level like a hawk. There was no temperature fluctuation. Would pull the cap and check the coolant level in the radiator. Also, if it is heating at idle it maybe your fan clutch. On our's it was recommended to replace both the pump and clutch, not a UFO but probably wise. It was the shop that told me to watch the level, the shop was Redlands Truck & RV.

[BigGeorge]

Thanks for all the inputs. I've decided to go ahead with a new water pump. They have to pull the radiator to get at it. So its all new coolant, thermostat too. Lost the entry door shock too. MH manufacturer didn't design that one well since its the second time. I had a couple of battery connection issues as well. Small fixes but that explains some internments I've run into lately. Stopped at Costco for new house batteries since one of the old ones failed the voltage test. At least that one won't cost me book rate for a mechanic's hours.

[UFO Pilot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigGeorge Thanks for all the inputs. I've decided to go ahead with a new water pump. They have to pull the radiator to get at it. So its all new coolant, thermostat too.

My UFO water pump has been replaced 3 times without removal of the radiator.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by UFO Pilot My UFO water pump has been replaced 3 times without removal of the radiator.

Now that you mention it, that's what I was thinking.

[UFO Pilot]

The only time my radiator was removed is when the FCA failed and destroyed the radiator.

[bluepill]

I don't know about the UFO, but in some applications it's actually FASTER to do a water pump job by pulling the radiator because it can make access much easier. It can also protect against possible damage to the radiator when removing the fan assembly.

Just sayin'

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluepill I don't know about the UFO, but in some applications ...

There's plenty of room since you can do the job through an access hatch in the floor. The pros do this stuff all the time and time is money.