Life expectancy of water pump??

1819 Views 30 Replies 5 Participants Last post by brit01, Aug 29, 2013

brit01

Discussion Starter · Jul 31, 2013

Car will be going in for some work soon.

it's got 145,000 kms on the clock and as far as I know the water pump has never been changed.

Is it work changing this? Do the impellers tend to clog up after so long? Bearings give way?
Will a fresh pump help the cooling of the engine in the hot summer to come in a few months time?

I'm aware of the complications people have had trying to hack them out.

cheers

:thumbs:

1 - 20 of 31 Posts

brit01

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 31, 2013

sprint_veloce said:
If the pump has lasted that long it's a good one - I'd leave it. They're a pain to get out so you don't really want to change it if you don't need to. Typical failure is the bearing and that causes the seal to leak coolant. Often they get noisey once the bearing is letting go. I've never heard of the impellor clogging up, nor does the impellor fall off the shaft like many other pumps. So it's really just the bearing noise and leaking you should look out for.

Best thing to ensure long water pump life - adjust the belt as loose as possible while not slipping when cold.

thanks for the advice.:thumbs:
I'll leave it as it is then.
My folks are visiting me from UK in a few months so i might get them to bring one down just as a spare as I can't buy them here.
if it does let go then I'll have one handy.

belt it not too tight.
Occasionally when its very cold the belt will squeal for a second when starting up so its just on the limit I guess.

brit01

Discussion Starter · #4 · Aug 3, 2013

Murpheys LAW!!!

Heard a scratching the other day and had a good chance to check it out now.

Coming from the WATER PUMP!!!

Sounds like a scratching bearing!!

Car is going in to the workshop in a couple of weeks.
Have to get a water pump sent from UK Express ($$$)
:rant:

well its lasted 145K

See less See more

brit01

Discussion Starter · #7 · Aug 3, 2013

SUD 145 said:
Had a new SKF water pump fitted at same time as belts. Luckily fell out with one tap.

:thumbs:

looking around now and at 5 day xpress shipping prices.

hopefully due to the kind climate here I'm hoping mine will fall out.
well my mechanic will be doing it

brit01

Discussion Starter · #8 · Aug 3, 2013

I think the noise went away when warmed up.
Have to check again tomorrow

brit01

Discussion Starter · #9 · Aug 4, 2013

Ok so it makes a gritty bearing noise when cold but disappears when warmed up.
Could either be the water pump or belt tensioner.

Why would it disappear when hot?
Belt is tighter?

brit01

Discussion Starter · #11 · Aug 4, 2013

sprint_veloce said:
Take the belt off and start the car and see if noise is still there - if it is it can't be the water pump. "Scratching" noise does sound more like cambelt tensioner bearing to me. Don't run the car for long with no water pump!

Yes I was thinking the same thing.

Will it run without the alternator connected also?
Only needs to run for some ten seconds or so to hear the noise.

Might be worth getting the tensioners changed anyway.

brit01

Discussion Starter · #12 · Aug 4, 2013

sprint_veloce said:
Take the belt off and start the car and see if noise is still there - if it is it can't be the water pump. "Scratching" noise does sound more like cambelt tensioner bearing to me. Don't run the car for long with no water pump!

Yes I was thinking the same thing.

Will it run without the alternator connected also?
Only needs to run for some ten seconds or so to hear the noise.

Might be worth getting the tensioners changed anyway.

brit01

Discussion Starter · #14 · Aug 5, 2013

can't recall from memory.

do the belt tensioner pulleys come off the arm with a nut?
I have a local supplier who has the pulleys and belts (contitech)
I don't think they come with the whole arm.

brit01

Discussion Starter · #15 · Aug 5, 2013

I can get hold of the pulley only here.

I see mine does not have a nut.

How does it come off the arm?

See less See more

brit01

Discussion Starter · #17 · Aug 5, 2013

BigAl33 said:
The tensioner pulley is pressed onto the arm, the nut to the right of the tensioner locks the tensioner in place and if undone the whole thing will come off.
You should be able to press off the tensioner pulley off the arm and press on the new one.

DO NOT HIT THEM OFF WITH A HAMMER AND PUNCH!!
The arms are cast iron and will crack.

I would need to take it to a workshop with a press I imagine then. was hoping to whip them off while the car was parked outside.
I've taken the tensioners off before and changed belts but this is a different job.

Any home DIY tips to press them out? or a pro job?

:thumbs:

btw

here are 2 videos if you have access, taken yesterday. taken with my phone so not the best quality.
second video is with a cold engine (outside temp was about 8 degrees). half way you can hear the noise quite a lot when revs rise)

warm engine no noise
https://plus.google.com/photos/114442513355673343736/albums/5813282988682399345/5908621059300631986?banner=pwa&pid=5908621059300631986&oid=114442513355673343736

cold engine with horrible noisy around the water pump, belt tensioner area.
https://plus.google.com/photos/114442513355673343736/albums/5813282988682399345/5908609477327427154?banner=pwa&pid=5908609477327427154&oid=114442513355673343736

See less See more

brit01

Discussion Starter · #19 · Aug 5, 2013

hmm if I screw this up I'm left without any spare parts (and no running car). The nearest being 7000 miles away in the UK.

Maybe I'll see if John has some complete tensioners so it will be a straight swap in 5 mins.

I need to get the car out and run it without the water pump pulley to see if the noise is there still.
I think I need to stock up on spare parts anyway.

brit01

Discussion Starter · #21 · Aug 5, 2013

I've sent Gates a message for a quote after following this advice on the whole kit:

also to T&S motors

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/engines-ts-jts-jtd-and-v6/102414-cam-belt-tensioner-pulley-replacement.html

brit01

Discussion Starter · #22 · Aug 5, 2013

T&S got back quickly.

Yes this kit is available @ £72.50 + vat

Plus any carriage charge if you were not collecting from us.

Regards

[email protected]

brit01

Discussion Starter · #23 · Aug 5, 2013 (Edited)

Dayco could be another option.
little cheaper also.

I'm assuming these come with the tensioner arms and not JUST the pulleys.Same as KIT CT581K1 from Contitech (maybe just pulleys)

70 quid free p&p

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130848496351

Yes all included. Checked with the seller.
Parcelmonkey is the cheapest to get it here in less than a week.

See less See more

brit01

Discussion Starter · #24 · Aug 6, 2013

Gates or Dayco timing kit?

Gates comes to 80 quid
Dayco 70 quid

brit01

Discussion Starter · #25 · Aug 6, 2013

Gates have lowered their price to 75 and locally delivery.
well I guess I know which one I'll pick up now

brit01

Discussion Starter · #26 · Aug 6, 2013

Gates purchased and will be delivered in person tomorrow at my parents house!

but this is hurting my wallet big time.
Now a water pump.
IMO the whole front end needs to be changed, pump and tensioners. If I change just one then Murphey's Law will strike in little time!

brit01

Discussion Starter · #27 · Aug 29, 2013

Finally arrived!

Unfortunately I got screwed by customs and they decided to charge me 60% tax!!!
on the Gates timing kit also!!!

had to cough up about 60 quid in taxes to release them!!

brit01

Discussion Starter · #28 · Aug 29, 2013

ah and the Gates powergrip kit comes with SKF tensioners! didn't expect that.
shame I ordered the 98 teeth belts by mistake!!

1 - 20 of 31 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.