What causes a water pump pulley to crack?

What causes a water pump pulley to crack?

When this occurs, the belts can crack or literally shred; as most of these belts are made out of rubber and nylon cords for strength. If it’s discovered that the water pump or serpentine belt is wearing out sooner than it should, it’s likely a problem with the water pump pulley.

Can a water pump on a car fail?

However, one of the more common mechanical parts that can fail sooner than later is the water pump pulley. The water pump on any vehicle uses a system of belts and pulleys to operate.

When to replace a water pump pulley in a car?

In order to reduce the potential of having your engine overheat or other major mechanical problems developing, having the water pump pulley replaced before it breaks completely is recommended by all mechanics and automotive manufacturers.

When to replace the timing belt on a water pump?

When replacing a water pump run by a timing belt, always replace the timing belt at the same time, especially if the water pump was leaking. A coolant contaminated timing belt will have a reduced service life. On the other hand, a worn out timing belt may break and damage your new water pump.

When this occurs, the belts can crack or literally shred; as most of these belts are made out of rubber and nylon cords for strength. If it’s discovered that the water pump or serpentine belt is wearing out sooner than it should, it’s likely a problem with the water pump pulley.

However, one of the more common mechanical parts that can fail sooner than later is the water pump pulley. The water pump on any vehicle uses a system of belts and pulleys to operate.

In order to reduce the potential of having your engine overheat or other major mechanical problems developing, having the water pump pulley replaced before it breaks completely is recommended by all mechanics and automotive manufacturers.

What are the signs of a bad water pump?

Common signs include physical damage to the water pump pulley, extensive wear on the water pump, grinding sounds, and the engine overheating. 1. Physical damage to the water pump pulley

How much does a timing belt cost for a water pump?

Current labor time guides show a water pump as 3.4 hours work and timing belt shows 1.9 hours labor. Take that times $70 per hour and your at $371 for labor *minus* the cost of parts. For the hell of it, I went to a local chain store and asked them to quote me the parts I got from GAP, they came to a grand total of $250.

What to do with a broken timing belt?

I removed the new timing belt then went on to remove the water pump, tensioner, tensioner pulley and idler, replacing all with new parts. Put everything back together, filled the radiator with just water (still do not “officially” know if engine is OK) and gave the ignition a turn. Engine purred like a kitten, well like a 241,695 mile kitten.

What happens if you neglect your timing belt?

Now you know the disastrous consequences of neglecting your timing belt – engine valve and piston damage, bent valves, cylinder heads that need to be rebuilt or replaced, and possibly even total engine destruction. If you don’t want to see those dollar signs adding up, check your timing belt regularly,…

When replacing a water pump run by a timing belt, always replace the timing belt at the same time, especially if the water pump was leaking. A coolant contaminated timing belt will have a reduced service life. On the other hand, a worn out timing belt may break and damage your new water pump.

What happens if you snap your timing belt?

Timing belts don’t often snap, but when they do, it can cause piston damage, ruined cylinder heads, and engine valve damage. Probably, when you think of your engine, you picture the valves and pistons, but you don’t think much about what keeps them in good working order. Let’s state it plainly – nothing is more important than the timing belt.

Can a broken timing belt cause bent valves?

Interference vs. non-interference engines. The level of damage caused by a broken timing belt can depend on the type of engine you have in your car. A non-interference engine provides clearance between the valves and pistons, so if the timing belt breaks, you might end up with bent valves, and you might have to have your cylinder heads rebuilt,…

When to replace a tensioner on a belt?

On systems equipped with an automatic tensioner, the tensioner pulley should turn freely without binding, the tensioner arm should move smoothly through its entire range of motion and there should be adequate tension. Replace the tensioner and /or pulley as required

What causes a serpentine belt to come off?

Belt coming off: Pulley misalignment, belt misalignment on pulley, defective tensioner, or bearing wear in tensioner, idler or driven accessories Belt noise can be hard to isolate, as the sound may seem to be coming from an accessory drive, such as the alternator or air conditioning compressor.

How do you replace a serpentine belt pulley?

Using the breaker bar or serpentine belt tool, move the tensioner arm against the spring as far as it will move, to its stop. The tensioner arm should move smoothly throughout its range of travel, with firm spring pressure and without binding. Most tensioner pulleys can be replaced independently of the tensioner itself.

What causes glazing at the edges of a serpentine belt?

Glazing at the edges of a serpentine belt, or on its ridges or in the grooves, results from the belt slipping. It indicates that friction between the belt and the accessory drive pulley (s) created by slipping has overheated the belt. Fraying at the edge of a belt indicates pulley misalignment.

How can I test my idler pulley for wobble?

There should be no wobble and no lateral play. Idler pulleys are checked the same way. Next, test the tensioner spring and arm operation. Using the breaker bar or serpentine belt tool, move the tensioner arm against the spring as far as it will move, to its stop.