The water pump used in your engine is one of the most important factors when it comes to reliability. The water pump is heavily relied on because it is what keeps the engine cool while it’s running, and if this fails, the engine will starts to overheat.
So, when replacing your pump, you should ensure that you’re doing so with the best parts available. Today we’ll be looking at the best water pumps on the market for your 5.9 Cummins.
1. ACDelco 252-318 Professional Water Pump Kit

Features:
- High quality aftermarket water pump
- Comes with parts needed for installation
- Fits both GM and Non-GM vehicles
- You will get a 24 month warranty with the pump
This water pump has earned the number 1 spot on the list by being the most efficient and budget-friendly option when it comes to getting the best water pump. This ACDelco water pump is made of high quality materials while still being affordable. It is a very popular after-market pump that fits both Gm and Non-Gm vehicles.
This pump has all the bearings welded to the main body of the water pump. The seals are also coated to improve their lifespan. With this water pump you’ll also get all the required parts needed for the installation.
Pros:
- Easy installation and lightweight packaging
- Very efficient and noise free pump
- Built to be durable and last long
- Made with the highest quality materials
Cons:
- Additional parts aren’t of the highest quality
2. Gates 43526 Water Pump

Features:
- Body is made from iron and stamped steel
- Made to be durable and crack free
- Comes with rubber gasket and O-ring
This Gates water pump is also very popular as it falls into the same price range as the ACDelco. It’s built to satisfy and is very durable with a heavy-duty build. The metal components have improved the durability compared to previous models.
It is made from iron and stamped steel and molded to be crack free and also leak free. The pump comes with all the additional tools and parts needed to complete the installation, and these are as high-quality as the pump itself.
Pros:
- Comes at an affordable price
- Compatible with all Cummins engines up to 2009
- Made from high-quality stamped steel and iron
Cons:
- Packages don’t include all the bolts needed
3. OAW CR3072 Engine Water Pump

Features:
- High quality water pump made from stamped steel and metal
- Carbon ceramic seals
- Comes with a 1 year warranty
This water pump is great at what it does — and continuous to do so for a long time. It’s made from the best materials and does its job of maintaining the right temperature for your engine. It might be a bit more expensive than others on the list but it won’t disappoint as it’s made to last.
The pump uses high-quality stamped steel and metal which makes it very durable. The seals are carbon-ceramic which explains why it’s so strong and adds a lot to how durable it is.
With this pump, you also get a hardware kit to help with the installation.
Pros:
- High quality product
- Easy to install
- Made with strong seals
Cons:
- A bit more expensive
Can You Drive a Car With a Faulty Water Pump?
The short answer is yes, you can drive a car that has a water pump issue, but you definitely shouldn’t do so for long! If you can’t fix the problem yourself, it’s important to get it checked out by a mechanic as soon as you possibly can. At some point the pump will fail and the engine will start to overheat. And that can lead to very serious and very expensive damage to your car engine.
Why Does My 5.9 Cummins Water Pump Leak?
If you find out that your 5.9 Cummins water pump is leaking, you should get it checked out right away. A leak can commonly occur because of the bearings becoming faulty. Luckily you can use a stop leak product to fix this, if it’s minor.
How Do I Know If I Have a Pump Failure?
There are various signs that you can look for to find out if your water pump is failing. The most common ones are listed below:
- Overheating of the engine because the pump isn’t keeping it cool
- Steam coming from your radiator
- Coolant level dropping often
- Temperature gauge rising and falling
- Whining sound from the radiator
How to Replace a Water Pump?
Here’s a step-by-step guide to replacing your water pump:
- Check to ensure that the engine is cool.
- Make sure that you have an area where you can drain the water properly.
- Do a brief check to ensure that you have all the tools to get the job done.
- Get a sufficiently large container to collect the coolant and old water pump.
- Make sure you have the new water pump and coolant.
- Disconnect the battery terminal and make sure all the belt drive components are properly removed.
- Detach the hose from the water pump and remove the old pump.
- Take the time to remove the old seal or gasket.
- It’s now time to prepare the new pump by using silicone.
- You should also place some Loctite on the bolts.
- Put the new water pump in position.
- Replace the gasket or seals.
- Tighten the bolts in place and reconnect the belt.
- It’s now time to reconnect the hose.
- Reattach the battery terminal.
- Refill the cooling system with coolant.
- Test the engine to see if everything is working fine.
Conclusion
All the water pumps listed above are the best on the market at what they do and also among the most affordable. Water pumps are very important to keep your engine running in the best possible shape. They’re also less expensive to replace than many other parts of your vehicle.