Water Pump Question

[aaronsbiza]

I have made a few posts inquiring about a squealing noise coming from the front of my engine somewhere near the timing belt cover. At first I thought it may be one of the tensioner pullies, now I am starting to think it is the bearings in the water pump that are squealing. The pump seems to work fine, the car has been running a little warmer around the R - M range. THe squealing runs in parralel to the RPM of the engine. My question is could this squealing be the water pump, would it still work if the bearings were bad? (It is a high pitched whining sound, some kid thought it was a supercharger) Thanks

 

[aaronsbiza]

I just read from a post I had searched...

"Put your mechanic's stethoscope on the PS pump.

Mine was sounding like it had a supercharger, the cause was air in the PS system.

A purge and de-vac cured the whine.

Steve
"

This sounds very much like my problem, can anyone tell me how to purge the air out of the system and de-vac it?

projectsho89 this is your post, could you tell me how you did it and maybe describe that whining sound? THanks

 

[svtC_and_SHO_Owner]

with the car not running put your hand on all the pullies, one at a time try to shake them, if there is ANY play in the bearings then this is your problem. try tighting the bolts first. i replaced my water pump about a month ago. "long but not to hard" job. how good are you with tools? do you have any? most people are able to change the water pump them self saving about $400. the replacement bearing (front half of pump) is about 50 bucks.

<small>[ June 23, 2003, 08:05 PM: Message edited by: svtC_and_SHO_Owner ]</small>

 

[projectSHO89]

Like I said, it sounded like a blower in there. When placed on the PS pump body, the stethoscope clearly indicated the noise was coming from the pump.

I fabricated the special tool as described in the Helms using a rubber stopper and a length of hose that connected to a vacuum pump.

I applied vacuum to the PS reservoir while running the engine and turning the wheels from side to side. BTW, did I mention, this procedure is in the Helms?

The devac is suggested when the conventional purging does not eliminate all air from the system.

Steve