GMB vs airtex water pump

[gba88]

Hey guys,
I'm about to replace a water pump on a 99 4.0. I was trying to figure out if one of these 2 brands (airtex or gmb) were better or more reliable than the other. They're within $10 of eachother so price isn't an issue and both have the "lifetime warranty". I searched and didn't see anything favoring either brand so I figured I'd make a specific post. Thanks for any opinions!

 

[joe_peters]

I have heard good things about GMB. HOWEVER, as you didn't provide links to the products I don't know if you are talking about NEW or re-manufactured.

IF you are talking about re-manufactured, DON'T DO IT, REGARDLESS OF ANY WARRANTY PROMISED.

Good luck.

 

[gba88]

I have heard good things about GMB. HOWEVER, as you didn't provide links to the products I don't know if you are talking about NEW or re-manufactured.

IF you are talking about re-manufactured, DON'T DO IT, REGARDLESS OF ANY WARRANTY PROMISED.

Good luck.

Thanks for the reply! Here is a link to the GMB: http://tinyurl.com/26x792x I believe it's new. No link for the airtex since it was a local place (autosupermarket). Took them about 7 minutes to take my call too.

 

[joe_peters]

Thanks for the reply! Here is a link to the GMB: http://tinyurl.com/26x792x I believe it's new. No link for the airtex since it was a local place (autosupermarket). Took them about 7 minutes to take my call too.

Hm, that is a new pump, but check the one and only review on that pump at the link. That guy wasn't happy on his Cherokee.

 

[orange]

GMB about 4+ years ago. Running fine.
(from Summit-New,made in Japan,well made.)

Good Luck.
Orange

 

[gba88]

Thanks, guys!
yeah, I saw that one review, but I put a lot more faith in forums like this over one off reviews on retail sites.

I went with the GMB since it seemed not much difference between the 2 anywhere I looked on the net (nothing overly bad or good for either). This is just a DD, so it won't be horsed at all. In any case, got it changed ...took about 4 hours! (first time I ever did a water pump on a cherokee). Biggest pain (as usual with stuff like this) was getting the old gasket off. Got a new lower hose too and made sure to use the spring. Thought it would be a big deal getting the spring transferred from the old hose, but wasn't bad at all...used string to pull it through the new one and just kind of bent the hose straight and worked it through. Drove it for a while and got up to operating temp, seems good. Thanks again for the replies

 

[fyrfytr1717]

I just installed a GMB in my '99 a couple of weeks ago. Finish quality is nice, appears to be a well made pump. I wasn't overly impressed with the gasket that comes with it so I bought a FelPro for my install.

 

[Blue 97 XJ]

glad everybody seems to like GMB because i just put one in a few days ago.

 

[birchlakeXJ]

Airtex is probably my LEAST favorite parts mfg. I would stay away from them. Some parts stores seem to carry them because they have a good price point. This is one of those situations where "price" is certainly only 1 part of the buying equation and possibly one of the least important. I'd rather spend a couple bucks more and have a good part that has good longevity.

I have personally had 2 Airtex failures and have heard of scores more. One was dead out of the box and the other fuel pump was so loud it sounded like a Boeing 737. Jeep Forum has a number of anti-Airtex threads as well.....