97 dakota water pump

[Eagle88]

I have had to replace the water pump twice in a month on Dads dakota. both looked like they were leaking from the shaft behind the pulley, I am kind of unsure that two differant pumps would leak in the same place after being on for a week and a half. Is there something i should be looking at that would cause these pumps to fail? Truck is 4x4 with the 5.2 in it. This pump is a real pain to change, and really don't want to do it again.

Thanks

Paul

[Andydg]

Did you get all the air out of the cooling system when you replaced the pump?

[rhandwor]

Besides proper venting check for proper belt alignment. Then check for proper tension on the belt and for any bad idler pullies. I assume are using a good mixture of anti freeze and water. Make sure all grit and grime are flushed out.
The parts store giving you a wrong size new belt is common. Check length against the old one.