Motorcraft Waterpump

[rcthorp]

Here's the story,

In October, I overheated the transmission and replaced tranny as a result. A month later, I noticed the water pump bearing making a bunch of noise so I opted to replace it. Used a Napa bought motorcraft water pump. Within the same day of replacement that bearing started making a bunch of noise. Replaced it again, this one has lasted longer (maybe three to four weeks of clean running), but it is now making a bunch of noise and I appear to have a slow coolant leak somewhere.

Now I don't know if my overheating would have exacerbated any problems with the coolant system, that is why I mentioned it. What could be going on in my system that would be tearing up WP bearings? I thought potentially I got the system hot enough to warp the serpentine belt, but since it's under so much pressure I figured it would stretch rather than contract. (I realize that's probably unlikely.)

Any ideas? Just cheap parts and continue replacing under warranty until I get a good one? Could flushing the coolant make any difference?

This is an 02' 7.3.

[fomoco]

You might check out the June 2010 DieselPower mag vol.6,no.6 p.114 Ford fixes 7.3 power stroke cooling system upgrades.