I'm about to undertake my first maintenance project to replace the water pump on my 2003 Disco II. My local shop gave an estimate of a little more than $400 for all the work, including $160 for the pump itself. Seems like this is an area I can save some money and I'm excited to learn some stuff.

So now, I've done a search for water pumps and they range from $36-$150ish. My question is, is there a difference in quality among water pumps? The only obvious visual difference is some are silver in color and some are charcoal. I'd like to not have to replace the pump again in the next year. Is it okay to go with the least expensive pump in this case? Any ideas on where to get it would be helpful also.

FYI - I'll be having my shop replace the valve covers next month, since that seems a little more complex.

 

Brass impeller is the best.

Rover Water Pump (STC4378) Replacement Fits Discovery, Range Rover & Defender Vehicles

Also there is a how to video in the link.

 

Is there any other associated part I should order for the replacement? I've heard that the fan is often replaced with the water pump?

 

If you are serious about overhauling your cooling system:

1) water pump
2) genuine LR 180 t stat(grey one) buy from rovers north or bp Utah
3) new fan clutch
4) new radiator
5) new coolant overflow tank cap

Just did this overhaul on my dads. 204 was the highest temp while driving in the desert driving up a grade with outside temp of 114.

Normal temps at 185.

 

Well the radiator was the one thing that was replaced this year by the previous owner so I think I'm good there but that's great information about the others.

I'm sorry I know nothing about what normal temps are for Discos (as this is my first one). So it's running at 185 after the replacement? What is the maximum temp you'd want to be at before getting too concerned?

 

The dash gauge will not start going up until around 230-240. That is too high.

You want it to run as cool as possible. In my opinion 220 is the max you ever want to see, and that's not a healthy temp.

Get an ultragauge.

 

I've read those are pretty crucial. That seems like a good idea. Do you have any recommendations on those?

 

Abran, would you suggest getting the water pump itself form Rovers North as well? They sell a Pro-Line but I can't tell if it is a brass impeller as you also suggested.

 

The ProLine would not be the better one.
I'm not sure if RoversNorth has the Airtex water pump with the brass impeller which is also supposed to have better bearings.
Atlantic British has it on sell right now for $130 and RoversNorth has the grey 180 thermostat.

 

Is this the correct t-stat?
http://www.roversnorth.com/ProductDe...e=0&eq=&key=it