Electric Water Pumps

[Jerry Clayton]

An electric water pump for anything other than a drag car is a failure waiting to happen---

[Slick61]

you can argue both sides. I run an electric water pump & I'm very happy with it. For starters, it looks trick. It also cleans up the engine compartment (only run a single belt for alternator). I may be mistaken, but I thought flow was BETTER at idle (i.e. at stoplights) with an electric. I also have an override switch on my water pump & fans, so that I can cool the engine down after I shut it off (a plus with an aluminum block). But... if it ever goes bad, you better be paying attention. I don't know that the incidence of failure is any higher with an electric or not. I just make it a habit to constantly scan the temp gauge & the oil pressure.

[diegokid]

GM has been using them for years on various cars. It works fine, my cousin has a 1995 Impala SS with one. 165,000 miles and it still works fine.

[LodiWino]

What size alternator are you using with an electric water pump?

[COBRA427]

trularin: An electric pump must CONSTANTLY operate while the engine is running....period. T-stats control temps, not pumps.

Rick Lake: amp draw is not that high, about 6-9 amps, and the electric motor is said to last 2500-3300 hrs depending on which model you get.

For the street, I think the e-pump will work just fine, it pumps way more water at idle than any mechanical pump ever could. For the track, keep a close eye on your water temp, and if it's getting too hot, change over to a good mechanical pump.