My 1997 CR-V with 198k on it has gone through 3 water pumps in about 10,000 miles. The first, I bought it like that a couple years ago. Did the pump, timing belt, head gasket and all that at the same time. Second time, I did the pump and belt again with a new tensioner when I replaced the trans. And now 2,000 miles later, it’s leaking again. The last time it happened it blew out the shaft seal and starting pouring out. I’m concerned it’s going to do the same thing. Any idea why this keeps happening?

 

It's possible that you're getting a poor pump. There's nothing outwardly that should cause a water pump to fail on that vehicle. Try a different manufacturer

 

I’ve already used 3 different brands. Granted they were all cheap aftermarket options. I also forgot to mention that my harmonic balancer is decently wobbly. Could that affect it at all? Or is that normal operation?

 

Wobbly balancers are not uncommon on these.
Try a Gates pump, i have used them with success. Are you setting the t-belt tension as per the OEM instructions?

 

Sounds like long shot but did you replace the rad cap?

 

I think my second pump was a Gates one from Oreilleys, but I can’t remember. As for the tension, I honestly went with what felt comfortable, so probably not. I assume too tight could cause extra stress on the shaft bearing and throw out that seal?

 

I replaced the rad cap before my second pump went out. Actually, probably about a week later the second pump failed.

 

The procedure is a basic one . You just turn the engine with a breaker bar or ratchet c/clockwise...and the spring sets the tension. Here is a page from the manual.

 

Its not meant to be overtighten, just takes up the stretch in the new belt. It can be adjusted at anytime after install as maintenance may require via the adjuster bolt access hole in the cover. In reality, you don't really need to remove the valve cover if the valve covers already on, just pull the distributor cap off and look for the top dead centre mark on the harmonic balancer to line up with number one spark plug on the distributor and you've got it made. I'm not really sure why they tell you to start at number one cylinder, and rotate it five or six times... I think that's mostly meant for when the belt is new so that you can verify that you have the belt set correctly on the two cam sprockets... and that's the reason, I believe, that you'd have the valve cover off to begin with.

 

I honestly had no idea that the procedure even existed. I’ve done 2 belts, 3 water pumps and 2 head gaskets on this and had no idea. Good to know though. However, I did pull off my radiator cap to check if it compressed and it seemed to be stuck. I got it loosened up and compressing. Seems weird, but my coolant leak hasn’t been seen since 250 miles ago.