So I just replaced the water pump on an '81 Spider.
While tightening the bolts, the one on the lower right (passenger) side broke off flush with the engine surface.
1. Will the pump stay put and sealed with three bolts?
2. Is there any way to get the bolt piece out of the engine block? (access isn't great)
broken water pump bolt
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azygoustoyou
Re: broken water pump bolt
Here's a link to look at. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbDF9P1uDyk
When you use a bolt extractor, It's very important to make sure you get the pilot hole drilled in the center. I had a broken bolt in my Harley engine when it was new. I used a bolt extractor and was amazed. I had it out within ten minutes. I didn't use the tool in the link. But it looks cool. I do know one thing. If you start drilling and slide off the bolt. You don't want to know how bad that could be.
When you use a bolt extractor, It's very important to make sure you get the pilot hole drilled in the center. I had a broken bolt in my Harley engine when it was new. I used a bolt extractor and was amazed. I had it out within ten minutes. I didn't use the tool in the link. But it looks cool. I do know one thing. If you start drilling and slide off the bolt. You don't want to know how bad that could be.
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ventura ace
Re: broken water pump bolt
Since it broke while tightening, it sounds like it was just over-torqued, and may back out very easily. If your radiator is still in, remove it and you'll have more room to work. You may be able to just tap on a raised edge of the remaining piece to nudge it in a CCW rotation. If you can get it out just a tad, then you can grab hold with pliers to twist it on out.
Alvon
Alvon
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majicwrench
Re: broken water pump bolt
If the bolt broke cause it was crossthreaded into the hole, you are looking at drilling and tapping or extracting. No fun.
If the bolt broke cause you overtightened it ( most likely) will be much easier to remove. DO NOT TRY TO DRILL IT. Try to find some small raised surface on the break and see if broken part of bolt will move with a little pressure from a small screwdriver, if it is not crosstheaded into hole it may just spin right back out.
Do you have a Dremel?? If bolt won't move, take small cutoff wheel and cut slit in top of broken bolt. You may have to cut slightly into block next to bolt as well, no worries. Now try again using thin bladed screwdriver, you just created a slot for the screwdriver. Hopefully, bolt will spin out. A little heat can loosen things up as well. Work slowly, carefully, use lubricant, lots of light, the LAST THING you want to do is bugger the threads or drill, esp in a bad spot like that.
I WOULD NOT try to run engine with just three bolts. Might work in very short term, but is just setting you up for more problems later. Fix it right.
Try the above, if you decide you do have to drill, let me know, will write more. THis is all very fixable.
Keith
If the bolt broke cause you overtightened it ( most likely) will be much easier to remove. DO NOT TRY TO DRILL IT. Try to find some small raised surface on the break and see if broken part of bolt will move with a little pressure from a small screwdriver, if it is not crosstheaded into hole it may just spin right back out.
Do you have a Dremel?? If bolt won't move, take small cutoff wheel and cut slit in top of broken bolt. You may have to cut slightly into block next to bolt as well, no worries. Now try again using thin bladed screwdriver, you just created a slot for the screwdriver. Hopefully, bolt will spin out. A little heat can loosen things up as well. Work slowly, carefully, use lubricant, lots of light, the LAST THING you want to do is bugger the threads or drill, esp in a bad spot like that.
I WOULD NOT try to run engine with just three bolts. Might work in very short term, but is just setting you up for more problems later. Fix it right.
Try the above, if you decide you do have to drill, let me know, will write more. THis is all very fixable.
Keith
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So Cal Mark
Re: broken water pump bolt
this is the very reason to run a tap into all of the holes when replacing a pump, then use anti-seize on the bolts. If the bolts have erosion from rust, replace them. All of the bolts go into the water jacket and are susceptible to rust
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jpmilesdds
Re: broken water pump bolt
Thanks everyone for the advice. When I have some time, I'll try the Dremel tool, slot screw technique.
As SoCal Mark suspected, the bolt had some rust. I'll let you know how it goes.
As SoCal Mark suspected, the bolt had some rust. I'll let you know how it goes.
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majicwrench
Re: broken water pump bolt
An interesting note:
I was just taking apart a 1438, the water pump only had two bolts holding it on(top and bottom), the others were broken off in block!
No idea if it leaked or not, am sure it must have.
Good luck,
Keith
Oh, if it was rusty get some lubricant on it right away.
I was just taking apart a 1438, the water pump only had two bolts holding it on(top and bottom), the others were broken off in block!
No idea if it leaked or not, am sure it must have.
Good luck,
Keith
Oh, if it was rusty get some lubricant on it right away.