semar

Technically I could not verify one or the other. Just a gut feeling. I remember the problem BMW had on their V8 in the 740i models. Beautiful car but not for the uninformed. It had a plastic timing chain guide. It it broke you could kiss the motor good-bye. The know-how people watched for small plastic parts when changing engine oil. An immediate repair was in order. Here was the kick in the butt part. The plastic part was only (I believe )around 100. but the labor was 38 hours. Ouch.
My old Volvo with nearly 400k on it needed only 2 waterpumps; they had all metal impellers. It was always the seals/warped housing never the impellers

Gronemus

Well then I suppose you will be disappointed when I tell you that the original water pump that I took out of my 04 had a plastic composite impeller as does the Aisin kit part. That being said, there was nothing at all wrong with the impeller of the pump when I removed it with 120k+ miles on it and I'm certainly not going to lose any sleep over it. I have seen plenty of pictures of heavily corroded metal impellers so I would suggest that isn't always the answer...

semar

thanks for the reply
in that case I will go with the Continental/Conti kit. For a few dollars more it doubles the warranty.BTW do you know if the bolts for the waterpump install are one-way bolts (to be used only one time)?

05ls430518

iTrader: (1)

Nope your good to reuse the Water pump bolts I did with mine and my car's been running fine for 16,000 miles

Gronemus

The torque that you put on those bolts is not anywhere near enough stress to stretch out the threads on them. You can reuse them without issue...

semar

great to know, thanks

Gronemus

What I really should have stated was that yes, you can reuse the bolts but pay attention to the correct torque that you put on each one as you are threading them into an aluminum block. It can be fairly easy to strip the hole out if you're not careful...

semar

yes, I know about steel bolts into aluminum bodies.
always appreciate helpful comments even if I am familiar with them

Neverdone

Just an update. I got everything installed and got a look at the old timing belt....260k KMs and it's never been changed.

The previous owners didn't maintain this car very well at all. I am trying to get it back to its former glory....time and money lol

here's a pic of the timing belt...
https://imgur.com/HgTTZoj
don't know how to embed...

Gronemus

Here's a copy of his picture so you don't have to go searching for it. Looks pretty beat up for having 161K miles on it. Mine almost looked like new after 125K miles. I'd like to see photos of the other side and of the side profile. Good luck with your restoration...

2KHarrier

Yeah, wow... That belt was in rough shape, huh? I did my 2005 a couple weeks ago with the Aisin kit. No issues and the old water pump had a plastic impeller on it, identical to the new pump. The belt and ancillary parts I removed basically looked new. The car only had 59,000 miles, but due to age, I figured I'd get the belt out of there.