My xA's water pump is leaking with only 56K miles. A surprise as my previous cars (Honda and Nissan) needed water pump every 100K miles. A dealer quoted $480 for labor and parts. I checked eBay and there are xA water pump for $15.99. Are those bad pumps?? Anyone had experience with any of those sellers?

 

I had an 05 xA which I bought new and put 210,000 miles on. I replaced the water pump at 184,000 miles and the coolant.
It's smaller than the palm off my hand and according to the dealer. All replacement water pumps are re-manufactured not new (as told to me
by 3 dealerships ) it's suggested to be replaced at 150,000 and the cost for the part was $90 and $225 installed + $23 jug of coolant.

It's on the belt side of the motor and is driven by the belt and it's bolted to the block (the block is the actually back housing of the pump)
The pump as you get it is open on the back with the water fan/veins exposed and my pump was not leaking but the bearings were grinding.
I caught it right on time but it was beginning to squeak a little

Hope this helped

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In January 2020, my xB 2004 (First Generation) get a water pump diagnosis damage. What is appearing that this little pump have two holes. Those holes are parallel with the arbor of the propeller. Was suggested in internet to put glue in those external holes, so the replacement pump will not have leakage in the future. Also, the propeller must be made from cast iron (dark color), not from aluminum or other plain metal. The water pump is located in an inconvenient place. To remove the water pump need to make first room for hands and hand tools. Some suggest to remove the Engine Mount and Alternator, and remove the passenger side wheel.

Some people like to remove the front bumper , side water tank, and the passenger side front light; then also to remove the front passenger side wheel. It is look like a 1-2 hour work. And if you are planning to replace the water pump now is the perfect time to replace also the power steering belt, for an extra 5 minutes. The Alternator belt on my car have only 4 groves. If you are not happy with your Alternator now can be changed with a high Amperage one. Original have 80 Amperes at idle 1 Ampere. Example of Alternator replacement can be 200 Amperes with 100 Ampere in the idle. Just in case you will drive long hours in high traffic and the battery not have the right time/Amperage for charging.

In conclusion can be a good project the water pump replacement.

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The weep hole lets you know when the shaft seal is bad. Probably not a good idea to glue it.