Bones944

I had a balance shaft roller lock up on my 944 in the fall of 2002, at which time I replaced all my rollers tensioners and belts. The waterpump had just been done a year or so before and had no play in the shaft. I probably haven't put more than 2000 miles on the car since then, though I retensioned at 1000 miles. Since replacing the belts it would have a "whirr" when cold that went away when warmed up, but recently I've noticed the whirring is louder and doesn't go completely away when warm. Today I went out to retension the belts again, and noticed that the wp has enough play in the shaft that I can hear a distinct clicking when I wiggle it. I have to replace the wp so another belt job is in order. Should I replace the belts and all rollers, tensioners etc. or just replace the wp and put my existing stuff back on? Has anyone ever heard the waterpump "whirr" like this when the bearings were shot?

Luis de Prat

If it's almost like a "whine" that can be heard distinctly from the normal engine sound, yes, I've had these same symptoms in my 83. I would guess the days are counted on this waterpump before it locks up on you, so get it replaced soon.

Also, don't put in a rebuilt unit except the kind you get from the dealer. Aftermarket rebuilt pumps seldom last enough to make them cost effective, given the labor involved in replacing them when they start giving signs of failure, like yours.

I went with a new pump 2 years ago and no problems so far.

Bones944

So should I replace the belts rollers etc, even though they only have a couple of thousand miles on them? What's everyone's opinion on this?

SoCal Driver

Any slop in the water pump shaft is bad. Replace it.

Check all of the pulley flanges for belt dust.

Tom R.

it is common for the second belt to put too much pressure on the water pump and kill an otherwise good pump. keep the rollers, maybe do the belt just because you are in there.

sayporsha

I would just replace the water pump.

roco16

I changed my t and b belts about 4k ago. When I first installed them, I noticed the whirring noise as well. I assumed that it was because I tensioned the t-belt to 4.0 and they were just tight/new. However, after the 1k mark I reset the tension to 2.7, I still had the whirring noise. The car did not make that noise before!

This caused me to check the tension again in the t-belt last weekend (the fourth time since the install), and it was spot on 2.7 after rotating the cam 1.5 teeth ccw from TDC.

My waterpump was replaced about 30k ago by the PO. Could the fresh belts have done in my good pump?

Also, if the water pump fails, what happens first : over heat the engine or the timing belt snap?

-Robert

Luis de Prat

Robert, I assume you don't have the PO's records for this waterpump? If it was an aftermarket rebuilt unit, I've read enough reports on bad ones to guess that the bearings are on their way out.

If it was a new pump, it's wearing prematurely because they should go at least 60K miles or more before showing signs of imminent failure.

You haven't had to replace the oil cooler seals since owning the car, have you?

Bones944

I'm just going to change the belts since they are so inexpensive. What are the settings using the Kricket? I no longer have access to the P4201.

SoCal Driver

Wow! A new belt will fix a wobbly water pump shaft?!?!?

roco16

I haven't replaced the oil cooler seals, mainly since I havent noticed any oil/oil sludge in the coolant.

The PO gave me the shop receipt for the waterpump/belt service and all it says is "new updated waterpump"......something like $265 just for that.

The thing that gets me is that it was fine before the belt service then came the noise after the new belts.

Thanks
-Robert

Peckster

Check the rollers for spin and play, they should be similar. They must be OK if they are that new, although there have been posts where one was installed backwards I think? Do your oil seals while in there. The pump is a given.

Did you mention the noise to your mechanic? I would have asked about it after spending that much money.

There are many who say they know these cars but make mistakes.

Bones944

What I meant was while I'm replacing the pump, since the belts are so inexpensive, I'll replace them too, although they are almost new.
Evelyn Woodard graduate?