My wife has a 2016 Charger R/T with about 17K miles. Dealer says water pump is on its way out. Also says MOPAR pumps are on "perpetual backorder." If he is correct this might indicate a common problem. Anyone out there have or heard of any water pump problems?
Back to the dealer he said he's going to get permission from Chrysler to install an "aftermarket" pump. If they give the OK, and he get one, he says the warranty won't be effected. Am I correct in assuming when dealer says "aftermarket" it means "rebuilt?"
Wednesday stopped in at the local Dodge dealer to have my Hellcat's oil changed. Pulled up along side a nice white R/T Scat Pack. As I was shutting down my car preparing to go inside the to book it in for the oil change I spotted water vapor coming out from under the front hood.
Upon getting out of my car I spotted a nice stream of coolant running out from under the front of the car.
Inside I spoke with the owner. He said the water pump just failed as he was driving by the dealer, but admitted the water pump had been making noise for some time prior to actually leaking coolant.
Mileage? 20K.
Water pumps can fail at any time but 20K (or 17K) miles is a bit early, premature. This suggests there is a problem with the water pumps these cars, at least some of them, leave the factory with. A batch of water pumps left the water pump factory with sub-par bearings or seals or some other defect in design, material, or manufacture that leads to a premature failure.
If OE water pumps are on back order this suggests a whole lot of water pumps left the factory unable to deliver a suitably long service life.
Get the aftermarket water pump installed. Try to take a pic of it before it is installed and post the pic and the part # too and any other details. I am curious to know more about the aftermarket water pump.
Then just like the a factory water pump was in the engine resume enjoying your car. But always pay some attention to the car and the engine and if you hear a noise or smell anti-freeze or see signs of coolant leak don't delay but get this looked into pronto.