Water pump pulley bearing shot :(

[StirlingStorm 0]

O dear - I've had my first serious mechanical failure while travelling long distance. My lovely Storm has never let me down on a big trip before :( Here's the story...

 

I was travelling from Staines (I'm working down here for a few weeks before u ask!) to Cornwall on Friday to spend the weekend with some friends and when I got there I noticed there was a squeal coming from the engine bay. I had a quick squint but not being overly mechanical I didn't see anything too wrong. The noise was coming from the serpentine belt area but there was no chance of getting it fixed in Cornwall over a weekend so I had to hope it would last until I got back to Staines.

 

On the Sunday evening while travelling back I got as far as Exeter (about 70 miles) before I realised that the noise had got a whole lot louder and a lot nastier too - it was now resembling a bag of bolts in a washing machine. Erp!

 

Well, I know a busted bearing when I hear one and sure enough, when I stopped at Exeter services and checked, the serp belt was half hanging off and the pulley for (I think) the water pump was sitting at a very unhealthy angle indeed!

 

I had to get back to Staines for work so I was forced to leave my beloved 'Rado at the services in Exeter and arrange for it to be picked up by a local garage. Nightmare!

 

Ok, now you've all enjoyed my tale of mishap and misfortune, it's time to ask some questions!

 

1) Does anyone know of a decent VW specialist in the Exeter area?

 

2) If it is the water pump pulley bearing that's gone (and I'm 99% sure it is), does the engine have to be dropped to replace it or can it be done without all that fuss?

 

4) Finally, assuming I have to replace the serp belt, tensioner, water pump pulley assembly and possibly even the water pump itself, how much do you guys think this is all likely to set me back? Maybe if it's that big a job I'd be as well to get it delivered to the local dealer...

 

Ta for any advice you can give me!

[Funkster 0]

Heya,

 

You shouldn't need a new tensioner. Water pump is 30 quid from GSF, belt should be under a tenner? I changed my pump in about 3 hours, having never done one before. I took photos too, and keep meaning to put up a guide. You don't have to take too much of the engine off - just undo a couple of mounts and pipes and jack the engine up to get to the pump.

 

Are you certain it's the pump bearing? It's always worth checking that the pulley hasn't just come unscrewed... not particularly likely though I must admit!

 

hth,

--

Olly

[StirlingStorm 0]

Ah thanks for the response, it's most welcome :)

 

I was basing my bearing diagnosis on the godawful crunchy-grindy noise the thing was making by the time I got to Exeter plus the fact that the pulley was still spinning but at an angle as opposed to rattling about. Good news about jacking the engine up though, at least it doesn't need to come out completely.

 

Cheers for the help! Anyone else got any advice on where I can take it?

 

Oh and PS - if you can get that guide up before Friday that would be lovely! *wink*

[Funkster 0]

Here you is, then...

 

http://the-corrado.net/.archive/forum/viewtopic.php?t=29768

 

hth,

--

Olly

[StirlingStorm 0]

Ah excellent! I've found a mechanic whose going to give it a go for me, I'll let him know about the site just in case he's got the interweb :)

 

I couldn't see any of the pics unfortunately but the text is clear enough. Cheers!

 

Oh and BTW I was only joking about before Friday but ta!