Performance Water Pump Kit for GMC Canyon (2009-2012) 5.3L

Heavy-Duty Water Pump and Thermostat Kit for 2009-2012 GMC Canyon (GMT355)

What it Does: The Performance Water Pump Kit replaces the failure-prone factory cooling assembly on the 2009-2012 GMC Canyon to maintain consistent coolant circulation and prevent thermal runaway under heavy load.

The Stock GMC Canyon Thermal Shortcomings

In the tightly packaged engine bay of the GMT355 chassis equipped with the 5.3L LH8 / LH9 V8, thermal stress is constant. Factory water pumps frequently develop bearing play and coolant weepage past the internal mechanical shaft seal. Furthermore, the stamped factory impeller can suffer from cavitation at higher RPMs and reduced volumetric efficiency at low idle speeds, leading to localized heat soak within the aluminum cylinder heads and premature failure of the integrated thermostat unit.

The Engineering Solution

Engineered for high-durability cooling, this replacement assembly utilizes a high-flow cast aluminum housing with precision CNC-machined gasket sealing surfaces. The optimized internal impeller design mitigates cavitation, ensuring uniform coolant velocity across the block and cylinder heads even during demanding towing scenarios. Accompanied by high-integrity elastomeric gaskets, direct-replacement mounting hardware, and an integrated calibrated thermostat, this kit directly restores proper hydrodynamic pressure and replaces OEM references 12681417, 12600767, and AW6009.

What's Included

• 1 Engine Water Pump
• 1 Thermostat Housing
• 1 Thermostat
• 2 Rectangular Gaskets
• 1 Oval Gasket
• 2 Mounting Bolts

Technical Specifications

Compatibility

• 2009-2012 GMC Canyon 5.3L V8 (Extended Cab, Crew Cab)

Frequently Asked Questions & Fitment Warnings

Does this fit the GMT355 Canyon?

Yes, this is a direct fit for the 2009-2012 GMC Canyon equipped with the LH8 / LH9 5.3L engine. This kit does not fit models equipped with the 2.9L inline-4 (LLV) or 3.7L inline-5 (LLR) engines.

Do I need to bleed the system after installation?

Yes, thorough vacuum-filling or a complete manual coolant burping procedure is required after installation to eliminate trapped air pockets and ensure proper thermostat operation.

The GMC Truck Standard

Built to handle the harsh demands of heavy hauling and payload transport, this water pump assembly delivers the cooling reliability necessary to preserve your drivetrain under maximum torque.