Clacking noise: loose water pump pulley bolts

[dleapon]

Hi folks I thought it would be fun to relay my experience for this unexpectedly easy fix.

My recently purchased '81 Spider was making some alarming (to me) metallic clacking/grinding noises at around 2000-3000 rpms. I used my stethescope and isolated the noise as coming from the water pump. "Oh great, now I need to change the water pump, take out the timing belt cover, coolant T, etc", I said to myself. So I loosened the alternator belt to see if I could feel anything bad as I turned the water pump pulley by hand. I didn't feel any grinding or resistence but did feel some side to side movement on the pulley. But just as I was turning it I noticed that 2 of the 3 bolts were loose. I tightened them and voila-- the noise is gone! I'm hoping the loose pulley didn't damage the water pump bearings but so far so good.

So every now and then you run across an easy fix that is oh so sweet.

[doc18015]

Hey Guy that is really cool! I wish my fix were as easy ; but then again, you were sharp enough to pick up the play and make it an easy repair. Nice!

[narfire]

Glad you caught it in time. I did'nt and one bolt was gone and after tightening up and replacing the missing bolt,did the side to side thing and there was play in the shaft/pump. Changed it and good to go.

[ga.spyder]

When I first bought a 76 I used to have,I heard an awful noise as I drove it.The temp rose as I got it home.It had eaten the water pump pulley.It apparently was loose and came off.Destroyed!!Didnt hurt the pump though.