Last Lemming

Ok I got what sounds like a howl while the engine is running. I used an old wood rod and checked by ear difference components I could get to and from what I can tell it sounds like its coming from the bearings in the water pump. This water pump was replaced with an OEM unit by the PO less than 1500 miles ago. I'm not 100% it's the pump but it sure seems that way. Well it's my problem now so I have to figure out what's going on.

If it is the pump how easy is it to change it out since the belts were just done. How much removal is required. Does the belt need to come off?

Can the bearing be replaced and the pump not removed?

edit: Here is a post to the sound:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkBAn...ature=youtu.be

audisport

replaced, so they say.... if you want to believe them. They could also have the wrong (too much) tension on it destroying the wp bearing quickly. My water pump locked up from a bad bearing, started shredding the belt. Luckily I caught it in time. It's a full TB job to get to it and replace.

Sample pic

txhokie4life

Our race car started to make the same noise.

We removed the timing belt and you could feel a little play in the shaft.

It's not too bad a job -- but not doing it could be costly. TB gets shredded and you lose timing :-(

mike

Last Lemming

Can the tension be adjusted from the outside without tearing everything apart.

edit. I see the answer to that is no.

Last Lemming

So this morning I started the car and the noise wasn't there. I used the wood rod again and check the same spot and the bearings sounded fine.

Do bad bearings sound ok cold but not fully warmed up?

Last Lemming

ok, hears a bad video (from Iphone) but it does show the sound. Like a howling sewing machine.

thoughts?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkBAn...ature=youtu.be

reno808

Just change the water pump. I don't get whats the big deal. it doesn't take long at all. Or you will be posting on how bad you think the damage is and how expensive when the TB gets destroyed.

Last Lemming

I don't have a problem changing the water pump, but I want to make sure it is the water pump first.

just found someone else with the exact same sound:

Last Lemming

Oops here is the link:

txhokie4life

High pitched screech?
that's the sounds ours made -- came and went -- then gradually was worse and more frequent.

It was the water pump -- took an afternoon to replace but we don't have balance shafts.

make sure you have the dual gasket or a two piece that has the water pump proper and rectangular
portion too.

Mike

Last Lemming

I'm going to take of the front cover of the belts, install everything else then run it till it screeches again. I've read if you squirt some water on the pulleys and they quite the sound up you've found your culprit. Of course I have mechanic stethoscope and I should also be able to pinpoint the sound that way. If it turns out to be the water pump then fine, I replace it, if it's just a pulley then I've saved my self time and a wad of cash - though I might change the belts anyway.

lart951

in this case was overtightened tb

Last Lemming

do you know if it was the water pump pulley or tensioning roller?

Ronin-951

Your playing with fire here LL. Most, not 'all', Water Pumps sound like a shaken Can of Rocks when the Bearing goes, my 'guess' would be a bad Roller. Just so you know, Timing Belts don't break because they get old, they break because a Roller or the WP freeze's, and a 'replaced' WP could be from anywhere, including a Garage in Mexico. You can blow off this advice if you wish, but a COMPLETE Kit from one of our Porsche Supplier's is the way to go, the money you save with 'unknown's' will be used for Bus Fare.

audisport

My water pump froze and did not make any rattling noise. It was just a whirr or high pitch noise. That eventually quit when it locked up and the car started overheating. The WP pulley was solid. It can fail either way.