I have a 2002 3.2. Last year with 80,000mls recorded on the original water pump (with the plastic impeller), I decided to renew with an OEM replacement. So I went online and I bought one with a three-year warranty. It lasted three months so I contacted the supplier, he expressed his immense surprise and sent me a replacement. But he said he had never had a problem with the ones he sells and then asked me if I'd had the belt changed recently as this could have made the unit fail. I assured him that I hadn't. At the same time I tackled him Re: consumer rights which state that he would have to also pay for the labour of replacing it. All credit to him, he did so.
So far so good. However, this week, 18 months on, this replacement pump has also failed. I have covered less than 12000 miles since it was fitted. Again I went on the internet to check the prices of various OEM products but also the cost of a Genuine Jaguar replacement part. No surprises that the Genuine part was at least twice as expensive as any others and I noticed a great proliferation of the OEM parts made by "Aertex". On talking to my original supplier he confirmed that it was indeed this brand that he stocked. I noticed that many people sell this brand, for as little as £34. Needless to say, I feel I need to warn you guys about my experience. With such a critical piece of kit, if it went wrong, without warning, you could end up damaging your engine, I have decided that in future, in spite of the additional cost, for parts that play such a critical role as this one,I'm going to buy original equipment. Let's face it the old-style water pump with the plastic impeller lasted 80,000 miles!
BTW: the original supplier and I negotiated and, in return for my not pursuing payment for the labour, he is sending me a brand-new Genuine Jaguar replacement free of charge.
