water pump leaks.....BAD! power steering pump needs to be replaced. Should I just replace the engine w/ a rebuilt engine, or is it worth it to fix the issues as they come up? I love the truck, had it since 1998. Probably gonna be buried in the truck when I die. The thing would just about climb a tree if i tried.

 

I suppose a compression test would be the first thing to do, if you're really wondering exactly where the engine is in it's life.

That being said, I've done a water pump, not terribly difficult. Never done a power steering pump, but I would imagine replacing those two things is much easier than swapping an entire engine. Just my thoughts though.

 

Jeez ....

If you were the kind of person who turned in (off-lease) your car every 8 months, then, absolutely, turn it in as soon as the water pump leaks!

But if you've had this truck for the last 21 years (!!), I'm gonna guess you're a little attached to it. So fix it! (And do it yourself. Replacing a water pump and PS pump is not particularly difficult, even if it's the first auto repair you've attempted). Since you didn't mention it, I'm going to guess your timing belt is about 21+ years old. Since you're in there to replace the water pump, put in a new timing belt as well. It's only slightly more difficult than replacing the two pumps, and that job sorta separates the "I don't work on my truck" from the "I can fix most things on my truck" crowds.

A compression test suggested by 5 fists (even better:a leak down test) is useful to tell you if the whole engine is about to poop out on you. So sure, do it, and carefully record the results. But if your pickup would "climb a tree" I don't think compression is a problem for you.

And, if no one else has said it, welcome to YotaTech.

 

1990 T4r 4x4 w/ auto trans: Purchased the vehicle new so I was familiar with the engine, after replacing various components and accumulating frequent towing milages at 230 K I was faced with a similar dilemma and decided to have the engine rebuilt. I found in my area there were not that many shops with the equipment to rebuild engines so they either install a good used or created engine and offer a limited warranty. I am familiar with a reputable shop so I had them rebuild it but they are expensive.


If decide to replace the engine suggest U do the research and find a reputable source and either install yourself or have a shop do it. I purchased a created engine for my early model truck and refused to deal with shops that offer a 90 day or 6 mo. warranty went with a created engine with a 7-year warranty and rather than have a shop install the engine to maintain the warranty I took a chance and had the engine delivered to my home and installed it myself, fortunately, this was 10 years ago and still running strong. Anyhow food for thought??

 

I think you mean "crate engine," a new-built engine intended as a replacement for a span of original engines.