VR6 water pump, belt tensioner & wobbling crankshaft pul

[stormseeker 0]

Checked my water pump today, as it's becoming evermore vocal lately and found some play in both the pump itself and the belt tensioner pulley! Is there usually any play in the tensioner?

 

Also, more worryingly I noticed a definite wobble on the crankshaft pulley - it looks as if the thing's loose! Has anyone else noticed any wobbly motion in theirs?

 

With the belt tension released there's no discernable play in the crankshaft pulley itself, and I can't budge the pulley bolt either way so it seems to be nice & tight, it just doesn't look good wobbling around.... any ideas? Heaven forbid it's the end of the crank that's bent :shock: :shock: :shock:

 

Chris (perplexed, and eyeing up a lightened pulley set...)

[Kevin Bacon 5]

Should be zero play in the pump and tensioner bearing my man.....The tensioner pulley can be stripped and regreased as the bearing seals pop out with a small screwdriver. Try repacking it with Castrol CL grease. If that doesn't help, it's off to VW for a new tensioner unit. Or, if you've got a Swan bearings outlet near you, take it along and they'll match it with a ball race off the shelf for a few quid.

 

The pump is an hour's work and about £25 from G&S. VW ones have plastic impellers, G&S ones have metal ones. I don't know which is best but I put a G&S one on mine and so far so good.

 

If the crank pulley is not loose with the belt tension released, you've nothing to worry about. Try pulling on the pulley. If it moves outwards toward the airbox a noticeable amount, your end float is out of tolerance. New crank thrust washer time but I have to say, I've yet to hear of a VR lunching thrust washers, so you should be OK. It's probably got dirt on it or something that's giving an illusion of not running true....

 

K