3 failed water pumps in one year!

MARIALYCE

MEMBER
1993 HONDA DEL SOL
4 CYL
AUTOMATIC
200,000 MILES

In May 2012, after an overheating episode, my trustworthy (I think?) Honda mechanic replaced a leaky water pump and the timing belt. Five months later, it overheated again and the water pump had to be replaced again--this time at the mechanic's expense. He also installed a new radiator. Now, just a little more than a year later (Jan. 2014), my car is again overheating and leaking coolant, and the water pump appears to be the culprit, AGAIN. My Honda mechanic is exasperated and wants to give up on it/me! They were both quality OEM water pumps. Any clues on why my car would be eating water pumps--just bad luck or is something going on to cause the frequent failures?

3 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Prior to the water pump failing, did you have any problem with overheating or coolant losses?
Which part of the water pump is leaking?
What type of coolant was used?

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Sunday, January 5th, 2014 AT 6:33 AM

MARIALYCE

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Yes, the car did begin to overheat prior to me bringing it back to the mechanic for service and finding out of the bad water pump. However, I was very careful and it never got into the "red" zone, nor did I drive it any distance after noticing the overheating condition--so as not to damage the engine, etc.

The mechanic just installed the THIRD water pump on the car and I got it back yesterday. He also completely flushed the cooling system, in case maybe something from it was getting into the water pumps. He showed me the part that was leaking--a tiny metal nipple on the unit, which I do not know the name of. The water pump itself still looked super new & shiny.

I used Prestone coolant that I bought at the gas station; I do not know what brand my mechanic used. Any clues on why my Del Sol would be eating water pumps so frequently?