[Str8Razr]

If you have the original water pump in your car, it very likely has a composite impeller and these impellers have a reputation for disintegrating. Since the composite ages with both use and time, and its almost 20 years, I would replace the water pump and thermostat ASAP. There is some disagreement about the use of a water pump with a metal impeller as an improvement, and Pelican staff say it is fine to use either. I replaced mine at 54K miles/20 years with the composite only to find the previous owner had already replaced it with a metal impeller. So now the car is on its third pump. At least I sleep well at night.