Originally Posted by SimonR
When the plastic impeller pump goes (ie the impeller cracks and starts to slip on the shaft) then the symptoms are that the car maintains a normal temp at low speed, but will overheat at speed.
If you let the engine overheat, the risk is that you could warp a cylinder head, and therefore blow a head gasket.
Just to replace the pump (AFAIK) is the same labour as replacing the timing belt on a V6, which is about 6 to 7 hours.
Replacing the radiator is a completely unrelated job.
Just one thing, whatever you do, make sure that your replacement water pump has a metal impeller!
So, it all depends on whether you want to worry, or spend money.
When I had my 38,000 mile pump replaced, it had started to crack.
Damn Alfa and their (inexplicable) penny-pinching!
What he said 100%... metal impeller mod is essential... done it in my GTA, cos the plastic ones crack down the centre piece of the impeller, then the car's temp gauge goes funny.. you can get the one with a metal impeller from EB Spares..
