Hunting For a JDM Suzuki Jimny Wide Water Pump

Shortly after buying our JDM 1998 Suzuki Jimny Wide, we discovered an oil leak. I took the timing belt cover off (along with everything around it) and indeed found the leak at the crankshaft. Rather than do it myself, I brought it to our mechanic. Sensibly, he said we might as well do the timing belt and water pump “while we’re down there.”

The Suzuki G13BB is the same mill found in the USDM 1998+ Chevrolet Metro with the 1.3-liter, so I ordered the oil seal, timing belt, tensioner, and water pump for that car. Those parts worked … except the water pump.

Cross-Referencing Conundrum

Look, I know how to cross-reference JDM parts in the USA. My favorite JDM parts site, PartSouq, said the OE water pump number was 1740083815. I took this number and placed it in the search bar on NAPA’s website. Sure enough, I got a match. And just to validate this, I went over to AutoZone and, again, we had a match. However, knowing the G13BB was sold in the Metro, I ordered part BWP-825 and brought it to the mechanic.

The next day, the mechanic said he’d gotten everything done, except the water pump. He said it was the wrong one. It would bolt up to the engine, but the stud spacing on the flange for the cooling fan was too large, and the fan wouldn’t bolt up. He said it needed a smaller 1.5″ spacing.

I took that OE part number and cross-referenced it again on NAPA’s site, and lo and behold, my local shop had that one in stock. I went, measured the spacing, and it was right. Well, that was easy.

[NARRATOR: But it wouldn’t be so easy … ]

I drove across town back to the mechanic’s. He showed me the Duralast BWP-825 (left) vs. the OEM. So close! If I had the Chevy Metro’s cooling fan setup, that would’ve worked (it cost more than the water pump and wasn’t available locally). But alas. Instead, I handed off the new NAPA unit (TFW 41084).

The mechanic noticed the NAPA unit wasn’t the right shape immediately. We looked and noticed everything was there, sans the triangular part. He said he’d take a look and later that afternoon, and let me know what transpires. Then, later that day, he called and said the missing triangular part was needed to hold the timing belt tensioner, and would be needed. I quickly scoured the internet trying to find a water pump that’d work, so he didn’t need to reuse the original water pump.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t find anything. So, the old pump went on with a new gasket. Now, normally, I would be inclined to live with it; the vehicle has about 50,000 miles on it. But now it’s beginning to leak coolant.

Locating The Leak

I got under the trucklet to see if it was blatantly obvious where the coolant was coming from. It’s not. There are coolant drops on the suspension components and a few drips on the alternator, which is near the water pump. I assume it’s leaking from the gasket, as none of the hoses are wet. I have topped the coolant reservoir off as it was low. But before I order anything, I’ll give things one more once over. (This would now be like a thrice-over, but so be it.)

Ordering The Proper Pump

The bottom line is this: I need to order the proper pump. Despite spending time trying to find a stateside unit, it doesn’t appear I can get the right one. There’s the one for the Metro, which has the right shape, but the wrong flange, and there’s the NAPA unit with the right flange and the wrong housing. At this point, I’ll likely order the suggested replacement via PartSouq.

Perhaps this post will help those trying to source a Suzuki Jimny Wide’s water pump if you have a G13BB. Maybe it’ll be a cautionary tale. I’ll keep you updated. Wish me luck.