Waterpump help please!

hilly · 08-09-2007, 05:03 PM

I'm sorry if you're getting tired of reading desperate posts from me and I can tell you I'm getting tired of writing them. Thanks for the help so far though.

I replaced my water pump and got things back together and I started it up. The engine squealed and after a bit of trouble shooting I found the water pump wasn't turning. Since it was new I was pretty certain it hadn't seized, so I began pulling things apart again.

What I found was the pulley that fits over top of the water pump rubs a tiny, little bit on the water pump housing and when I had the fan tightened down it prevented the water pump from moving at all. The pump fit on the engine with no problems and it looked nearly identical to the one I removed.

I have three questions:
1) Has this happened to anyone else?
2) Can I put some small washers on the four bolts to move the pulley away from the housing?
3) Do I need to get another water pump?

Thanks again!

**Jerry Bransford** · 08-09-2007, 05:26 PM

It sounds to me like the pulley was reversed when reinstalling it. If that's not it, then they just gave you the wrong water pump. But first, I'd see if the pulley wasn't just installed backwards.

hilly · 08-09-2007, 05:31 PM

Thanks Jerry, I'm not sure I understand about reversing the pulley. If I put it on backwards the four little bolts that hold on the fan wouldn't be long enough to reach the fan. The second picture down on http://www.stu-offroad.com/engine/radiator/radiator-4.htm shows what I'm talking about I think.

Are there two very similar water pumps for jeeps? I ask because this one fits except for the point I mentioned.

Thanks.

**Jerry Bransford** · 08-09-2007, 05:51 PM

Yeah I was thinking about another water pump job I did, you're right that it's unlikely the pulley was reversed.

Have you compared the old and new water pumps side by side? That will give you a quick way to know if their dimensions are different in a way that could cause the problem you're having.

Chris @ GATR · 08-09-2007, 05:55 PM

ALWAYS do a side by side comparison before bolting a project back together. The water pump changed slightly in 2000 if I am not mistaking.

hilly · 08-09-2007, 06:15 PM

Thanks guys! Good idea about the side by side comparison. I guess that's one of those lessons you learn by experience.

I guess I get to pull it all apart again! At least I'll be a bit better at it this time!

Thanks for all your help.

hilly · 08-10-2007, 04:22 PM

Just a quick update in case it helps someone else.

I took the water pump back to the parts store and the parts guy was fantastic. He searched around for other water pumps and then phoned the dealer to ask some questions. It turns out that I did have the correct water pump, but when the fan mounting ring was pressed on, it was pressed on too far, which caused the pulley to rub on the housing.

He checked the rest of his stock and found three of the four remaining ones, had the ring pushed on too far. Now I'm waiting for delivery for the new water pump and belt so I can finally finish this job!

Thanks again for all the help.

**Jerry Bransford** · 08-10-2007, 05:56 PM

Hate to say it but your problems with the water pump you bought are just indicative of the crappy quality water pumps sold by most auto parts stores. Here in the U.S. they sell cheaply made water pumps with a "lifetime warranty" that are just plain crap. Sure they'll give you a new one free if it goes bad, if you can go back to the same store and are the original owner, but they're so cheaply made that they go bad 3X as often as the OE water pump does.

There are just some things I'll never buy anything but OE on and the water pump is one of them. They cost a bit more but they hold up far better and you won't have to replace it nearly as often. My labor is worth far more than the cost difference between a cheapy and an OE water pump.