Water pump.

[Layor]

After getting the Zed through the M.O.T. I started to have a look around the engine bay to see if there was anything else I could do to smarten it up. While having a poke and a prod I noticed that there was a noise coming from the front of the engine. It's hard to describe, not quite a squeal and not quite a rattle, but a bit of both! I am thinking it is possibly the water pump. The temperature is stable, the Zed it running well, and the noise seems to disappear when revs are increased. However, I have only just noticed it so perhaps, if it is the pump, it is only just beginning to fail.
I have never replaced a pump on a Zed, so:
1. Can it be done from above?
2. If not, has anyone replaced one and if so are there any tips?
3. As I'm now starting to feel my age and do not really fancy crawling under the car like I used to, is there anyone out there in Zed land that would be willing and able to do it for me? ( I don't really have any indy garages around here that I would trust to work on the Zed)
4. If 1 above applies, then forget 3, but 2 still applies for the tips!
5. If 3 applies, I don't mind traveling as long as there is a good hostelry nearby that can put up me and the dog if needed!!

Colin.

 

[Ianmc]

The tensioner on the Z3 should be replaced when the drive belt is replaced, but this is often overlooked and sounds as you describe when worn. Don't know if its the same on a Z4 but worth considering, much cheaper fix than a water pump. I assume your cooling system is working OK?

 

[Layor]

The tensioner on the Z3 should be replaced when the drive belt is replaced, but this is often overlooked and sounds as you describe when worn. Don't know if its the same on a Z4 but worth considering, much cheaper fix than a water pump. I assume your cooling system is working OK?

Hi Ian,
Yes, the system seems to be okay. Thanks for the tip on the tension on the belt. I have not yet done any checks in that dept yet, so perhaps a good time to have a look.
Colin.

 

[Layor]

I have not had a chance to examine the belts yet, but my thinking is that they may not have been changed in quite a while, if at all, so I am going to get new belts and tension pulleys. I am hoping that I will not need the tensioners themselves, but I will find out once I start playing!
Is there any preference on the make of belts? I have seen mentioned 'Gates' and 'Continental' among others. In the line of work I was in we had no choice of what belts we used, they were all from the manufacturers. I have no idea what kind are the best for reliablity etc. From the prices seen so far the 'Continental' were around £10, while the 'Gates' were at the £20 mark (this is for the alternator belt). Which leads me to wonder at the quality of the former!
I would rather pay extra and get something that will not let me down than take a chance on a cheaper item. Experience counts for everything, so what are your experiences??
Colin.

 

[mrscalex]

It’s a very wise thing to replace the water pump, thermostat and coolant if you do not know the history. It’s about £100 of parts.

I think Continental were the OEM and Gates are excellent too.

But be careful as there is another brand out there, I can’t remember exactly what it’s called but it sounds very similar to Continental. At £10 it might well be the cheap sound-a-like. £20 is more the going rate for a decent belt.

 

[mrscalex]

I think the budget one is called Continental Direct.

 

[t-tony]

I would stick with Gates regardless for peace of mind Colin.

Tony
.

 

[Layor]

Many thanks @mrscalex. I'll change the belts and pulleys first, mainly because it's easier! I believe to get the water pump out it has to be done from underneath, and if so I have not got a ramp to use at the moment. I could be wrong and hope I am, but I don't fancy wriggling around on my back under the Zed!!!
I will get the pump and thermo' changed later, but for now the belts and pulleys will have to do.

I'm going with the 'Gates' Tony, ( I just hope they are better than his O.S!!). I was thinking along those lines, but it's nice to have your opinions confirmed by others in the know.
Colin.

 

[mrscalex]

The water pump and thermostat are done from the top.

 

[Layor]

That will make things a lot easier! Thank you for that.
On the question of the tensioners, are both the alternator and A/C tensioner pulleys identical?
Colin

 

[Layor]

The pulley's and belts arrived and within an hour and a half, with the new pulley's and tensioners on, we were ready to put the new belts on. The old alternator belt was in two perfectly cut parts, it looked as though there were two belts there instead of one! It's a good job we checked everything over before fitting the new ones, the reason....:

We were unable to see it at first because the old belt was covering it and when the belt was removed the break was underneath!
The new pulley should be here in a few days, hopefully.
The only part I cannot get, as no one appears to have it stock and have no idea when they will get them, is this; VAICO Deflection/Guide Pulley, v-ribbed belt.

The old one is not in too bad a condition but I wanted to replace all of the pulleys if possible. If anyone knows where I can pick one up, I would be grateful. OEM number is; OEN 11 28 7 509 508

Cheers, all. Colin.

 

[Layor]

All done and running well. I didn't manage to get the pulley/guide I was after but as it was not in bad condition, managed to lift the seal ever so slightly and get some oil in. I now have a nice quiet and happy Zed.
Thanks to all for the advice and info, the water pump, thankfully, is fine and no problems with temps.
I did however, change the front brake sensor on the side of the master cylinder as I was having intermittent problems. Managed to get one from German Car Spares Kent for £18, used of course, but tested and is working well.
Colin.