1981 FI waterpump removal

[Tango]

Ever since I did the timing belt replacement a year and a half ago, there has been an odd clanking noise after the car warms up. And the only thing I can find is that the pulley / shaft of the water pump seems to have some side-to-side play in it.

So I am replacing it. According to both my manuals, you just remove 4 bolts. Of course now that I am into it I see that the inner metal timnig belt cover needs to come off also. I pushed the cover out of the way and got the water pump bolt at 12 oclock off, but no way to get the 3 oclock one off with the cover in place (which is now bent). I thought I had all the nuts / bolts off it but I can't get it off. Is it necessary to take the crankshaft pulley off to get at all the fasteners? There seems to be still one left somewhere at the bottom, but I can't see or feel any more.

What am I missing? I had hoped I could do this without taking out the fan and radiator, but que sera sera.

Yes, I know I should have done the water pump at the same time I did the belt

Thanks,
Tim

[Tango]

Never mind. All done. Yes, you have to take the fan, rad and pulley out.

[divace73]

Never mind. All done. Yes, you have to take the fan, rad and pulley out.

I have done it without once, but will now always opt for removing the radiator, not only does it make the job a lot easier but also reduced risk of damage to the radiator.

[bobplyler]

I had a water pump that was slightly leaking. When I replaced it, it rattled when I shook it. Not a good sign.

[Tango]

I never had any leakage, but a funny "clanking" that came and went more so when the car warmed up. The side-to-side play in the waterpump shaft was not as bad as I expected, but when you spin it you hear a bit of a growl or rumble, so there must be a seal or bearing wearing. The new one of course is totally smooth and silent. The job was actually far easier than I remember because of a couple of tools I bought part way through the process last time: the DeWalt impact driver for the crank pulley, and a small 1/4" ratchet to better get at the rad bolts. I replaced all the rad hoses at the same time, so I am learning some lessons here. Thermostat looked pristine.

[Tango]

Oh, and the noise is still there. Nothing when I started it up, then as the car warmed up it started up. Then a short test drive, maybe 10-15km, and no noise again. So it wasn't the water pump... Now I wish I had left the timing belt covers off so i can see if it has something to do with that.

I checked again, and the cam pulleys and aux pulley are lined up to spec.

Definitely, it is nothing like what I have heard on past cars when a serious knock makes itself apparent. I still suspect it is coming from the very front of the engine around the pulleys somewhere. A stethoscope probing left me none the wiser.

T

[Sunracer]

Warm it up to the point where it makes the noise. then, shut it down and remove to alternator and water pump belt and start it up. this will eliminate these two components from the list of suspects.

Check around the nose of the trans too, there is a metal housing or sheath around part of the trans outshaft that can work its self loose.

[Tango]

Hey, thats a great idea. I'll try that.

[Tango]

Hey, thats a great idea. I'll try that.

[Sunracer]

A loose or failing pulley (the plastic ones) could be another suspect, as can a missing clutch throw out spring-the one that is attached to the clutch fork-if it break or falls off the clutch will rattle. PB : )