None live as long as a GM/Delco. Gates are simple because they come with the whole housing already installed, but don't live as long and the gear cut is noisier than the OE. Nothing wrong with the resin impeller. Welding really only matters for race/competition engines turning silly fun rpm's.

If you only got 77k out of the last GM pump, I'd be wondering about your coolant.

 

Thanks for responding to my question.
I did the first coolant flush and new Prestone Dex-Cool at 100K.
At 131K when the water pump started to leak out the weep hole, I noticed a damp spot on the radiator by one of the plastic tank covers, so I installed a new radiator, water pump, thermostats, new hoses, and new coolant.
At 204K I had noticed a small leak coming from on top of the engine, and found out I had forgot to replace the short small Turbo coolant hose.
At this point 131k to 204k was 7 years ago, so I did the engine flush, all new hoses, and new coolant.
Now at 208k there is a small leak at weep hole.
But what is puzzling is it does not leak all the time.
Have you ever heard of this, and what type of a life span does the Dex-Cool have?
I believe my issues are not related to mileage as much as the age of the components.
Do you think the age of the coolant may be my problem?
I would appreciate your comments.

 

I think the official Dexcool life is 6 years. I've run some longer, some shorter. Basically I leave it alone untill I have to drain it to make a repair, then I replace whatever I drained out with new. I buy 50/50 premix (I use the Chevron stuff because they supply me with oil). The premix does end up being a bit more expensive than concentrate but I never have to question water quality. I also never flush. Flush can mean a lot of things but I don't do any of it, drain and fill, thats it. My 06 is on the original WP and rad and has had about half it's coolant replaced. The LMM has had a WP, 2 rads, hoses, so it's had a lot more new coolant. Being a cutaway chassis, most of the cooling system is undersized on it, and under more stress (and way more miles) so it's just tougher on parts.

 

Thanks again for your reply.
Any thoughts on the water pump weep hole leaking not all the time?
I live in SE Texas where the ambient temps are pretty hot, especially this last summer.
I'll take your advice about sticking with a GM water pump.
I appreciate it.

 

It would be important to understand the conditions when the water pump leaks. While you understand what they are, we the readers do not. Look at your coolant recovery tank cap and see what the pressure rating is. Some are 20 but others are 15. When you last changed your water pump, did you use premix or concentrate diluted with water? If the latter, if your water quality is not good, that has a bearing on how long the pump will last. I always dilute with distilled water, although that's not necessary - but it is safe. I run a coolant filter in my system and it always looks like freshly made orange Kool-Aid.

 

Ron, thanks for your reply.
I did use the Prestone Dex-Cool 50/50 mix.
My CRT cap is 15psi. I have replaced it a couple of times over the years.
My leak is very small, but is definitely coming from the weep hole on the pump.
It does not leak all the time, so maybe a bad cap?
I don't really know what the main cause of whats failing in the water to have the weep hole leak.
I appreciate your input.

 

If it is just an occasional leak from the weep hole, forget about it until it becomes a constant leak (like you're adding a quart of coolant every week or 2).

Sometimes thinks just leak occasionally.....and you'll drive yourself crazy (and poor) trying to solve it. My LMM pump weeped coolant for almost 14 months before it got to a point where I was like, okay I'm adding coolant every week or two now, time to change it.

 

Piper One,
Thanks.
I will keep an eye on.
You know your way around the Duramax Track.
I appreciate it.

 

I will throw this in, if your upper radiator hose is flat in the morning it means the recovery tank cap is fouled and needs a hot soapy bath to get the dexcool off it.