I have an '04 Avalanche with the 5.3L. I know this is the truck section, but I figured the trucks used this engine, as well as the Tahoe/Suburban, so I'd post it in the general truck section.

I've been through 4 water pumps since I've had mine. And now its leaking coolant again. I got it in 2007 w/ about 90k miles on it. It now has 210k. That seems excessive. Maybe its normal, but does anyone have any tips to keep from going through water pumps every 2 years? Seems like this last one was the worst one, I believe it was about a year ago when I last had it replaced.

 

where is the leak? at the gaskets or the pump bearings. If its at the gaskets; buy a oem gasket and replace it. Don't buy aftermarket parts or 2nd line delco parts...get the oem part.

 

I will check. It seems to only leak when its running, because I never see antifreeze leaking on the ground in my garage.