Water pump diagnosing?

[gustavohuber]

Hi everyone. So if my rod knock isn't a worn bearing.. the feeling seems to be that it might be the water pump.. but I crawled under the car and jeebus! The pump is in a bizarre location.. When the water pump started to go on my golf, I fussed with belts for half an hour, then jiggled the pulley, and said "damn!" then replaced it and was done.. but I don't even see how they subie runs its pump.. does it connect to the timing belt or something? Any advice on replacing/ accessing/testing the water pump GREATLY appreciated.

[vrg3]

Yes, it's driven off the timing belt. Search for "timing belt water pump" or something.

[gnuman]

Yes, it is a smooth pulley driven by the back of the timing belt (so that if the water pump locks up you do not loose the whole engine to a snapped timing belt). At that milage, you should really replace the timing belt as well, as it probably has not been done yet, and it is due (for federal cars, CA standard is 105K miles because they use a thicker belt). since you have to remove the belt to get at the pump anyway, there is no sense in putting that old one back on. You will need a waterpump, the paper gasket for the waterpump, a timing belt, and a thermostat (get a genuine Subaru thermostat, the aftermarket ones do not work right). Did I meet you yesterday in Richmond?

[gustavohuber]

If you're Sanjay, then yep -- and actually I had a couple questions for you about the timing belt- like if a california belt would fit on a federal engine, and if there was any good way to inspect the water pump without having to drain the coolant and take whe whole little bastard out.
Thanks again for the door and lens. I forgot to grab some washer nozzles and a sun visor, but oh well.

I'll order the parts and call you when I get them.

[professor]

if you are in there, you need to replace the water pump no matter what, and the timing belt tensioner and bolt as well as the orher stuff

[gustavohuber]

tensioner is $100.. how about the idlers and everything? Is it worth the $100 to do the tensioner?

[gustavohuber]

also.. between Bando and Continental brand belts.. any preferences? I am tempted to go the extra $10 for the Conti, just because I like their bike tires so much.

[gnuman]

Actually, it is not a "no matter what" situation, but it is a good idea. You mentioned a knocking sound when decelerating, and idicated a concern for the condition of the water pump. That alone is enough reason to replace it, while you are doing the timing belt. I would say that $10 is a good price to pay for a brand that you trust. Yes Conti makes good rubber for bikes, but I prefer my Metzlers. It is all a matter of riding style, I guess.

Oh, and replacing the tensioner is not required either, just yet.

Get the CA belt. The extra thickness is good insurance, and yes, it will fit.

[gnuman]

Gustov, have you gotten the parts yet? Give me a call will ya?

[THAWA]

As far as belts and stuff like that I'd feel safer buying an OEM belt. They're about the same price, and sometimes cheaper, but they're made of OEM Quality.

[gnuman]

For the thermostat and waterpump, I aggree, because the aftermarket ones do not work as well. For the timing belt, however, many of the aftermarket ones are made by the same people that make the OEM one, or are made of even better materials.

[gnuman]

Gustav, do you want to post the update, or should I?