3rd Water Pump in 4 months!

[Va7.3L]

I'm getting ready to put in my 3rd water pump in 4 months. Both of the failed pumps were made by Airtex. I replaced the oem pump in November with the first airtex (because I was doing the coolant flush and replacing with ELC/ truck has 150,000 miles). That pump developed play in the shaft after 2 months and was causing the pulley to not run true and the belt was squeaking. I replaced that with another airtex and this one has started leaking out of the weep hole already. I hear alot of folks say that airtex makes the motorcraft pump but a buddy of mine that worked for ford said he has been to the plant where motorcraft makes their own. I'm tired of messin with it so I'm gettin him to put a motorcraft pump on for me. Hopefully this one will last!

My only question after all that is:
Does anyone have an idea what could cause such quick failures in these pumps? Bad pumps or something else with my truck is going on?

Thanks!

[2000-7.3L]

shoulda bought OEM!

[timmyboy76]

got an airtex on mine..2yrs, 50k so far so gud. check play in other pulleys...

[Va7.3L]

I replaced the tensioner and the idler pulleys with the first pump. The alternator and a/c pulleys seem ok. The only pulley that has any play is the power steering. It has about 1/4" or so in and out (shaft movement not the pulley on the shaft). I read that was normal though.

[Pipewrench]

Have you considered adding a coolant filter?

[Va7.3L]

I did consider a coolant filter set up but when i flushed the system, I saw none of the casting sand that has been mentioned in other threads.