G5200 'chineesium' waterpump - caution

BruceP

Well-known member

Equipment
G5200H
Aug 7, 2016
836
353
63
Richmond, Vermont, USA
Just a warning to some folks who may be replacing waterpump on their Kubota.

I spent an entire Saturday replacing the waterpump on my G5200 (D600 engine) The original 30+ year old pump was leaking coolant out of the weephole.

Since I put less than 30 hours on my tractor each year , I made the consensus decision to go with a 'chineesium' replacement waterpump. ($60 instead of $150 for real Kubota waterpump)

Although the 'chineesium' replacement bolted into the engine.... it would not turn by hand because the impeller was hitting the casting inside the housing.

I ended up using dremel-tool to grind the impeller on the replacement pump to create clearance within the housing. This added over an hour to the job.

Other than that, my tractor now runs great and does not loose antifreeze.

I am still questioning if saving $90 was worth the hassle of needing to modify a brand-new part before I could use it.
 

dlundblad

Member

Equipment
G5200, L2501, ZD1211
May 16, 2009
503
10
18
IN
Just imagine if you didn***8217;t check for the clearance.

Thanks for the warning.
 

North Idaho Wolfman

Moderator
Staff member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Jun 9, 2013
28,604
5,064
113
Sandpoint, ID
I did an aftermarket water pump on my L3450 many years ago, it lasted about a month if I remember right, it pushed the impeller back until it ate a hole right through the gear case cover.
That was an expensive fix all to try and save a couple bucks.
I don't buy anything like that that's aftermarket any more, not worth the hassle or the future expense!