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TR2/3/3A Tr3- What's with this noise

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prb51

prb51

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Guys, Driving today and a few miles into the trip get this upper engine noise - like a bearing being rattled in a glass jar, loud. No change in performance, noise comes on above 2k rpm - nothing below. All gauges in the normal range and pick up also normal. Looked under the valve cover and all is in order. I remember reading something similar to this but can't put my finger on it. Pat
 
You're not talking about pinging are you??
 
Seems to loud for that. I thought a bolt had come loose under the valve cover. That is a thought though
 
Ok, I noticed a 'graphite' looking powder in the engine bay on the lh side. So something was rubbing - turns out the water pump pulley is loose and was rubbing (bumping) something as it spun. Not sure if it's just a loose pulley or a failed bearing (no leaks). Can the water pump be removed without taking the front off the car or is that more work trying to manuever? Anyone had the same experience? Looks like a fairly new wp.
 
Guys, The pulley is loose on the shaft. The shaft appears true and does not wobble but the pulley does so I'm guessing a broken key?! Looks to be enough room to work as is.
 
If the pulley is wobbling, either the pulley and/or the shaft is worn enough to cause the movement. Unless you take the pulley off, you won't know the extent of the damage. The nut holding the pulley on probably came loose causing the intial movement, and things deteriorated from there. Either way, you're going to have to take the pump off. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif
 
No need to remove the pump just yet, just pull the pulley off and inspect the pump shaft, woodruff key and pulley.

If you do need to remove the pump it's much easier with the pulley out of the way anyhow.

Remove the pulley nut while you still have the belt on there so you can hold the pulley while you loosen the nut (shuld be a nyloc style nut). Sounds like the pulley will come right off... sometimes it needs help, I use a puller like this:

waterpump.JPG
 
Geo, Thanks for the pic. The pulley extension is polished on my unit - wonder if it is stock (it is the wide belt). When I get to it I'll check back in. At least I was local when it happened.
 
You said "Looks like a fairly new wp." and that the pulley extension is polished. I think some replacement pumps have a pressed on pulley that is not readily removable -- in fact the one mounting bolt (lower p/s) has to be replaced with a stud to be able to mount these pumps. I have never seen one but thought you should be aware of this alternate set-up since your pump sounds like it may look slightly different than a stock pump.
 
The aftermarket pumps that I have seen have had the pulley pressed onto the shaft FLUSH with the end of the pulley. Those are made with bearings and a shaft that is integral with the bearing assembly. Since they are available in a huge assortment of front and rear shaft lenghts, it would be possible to press one together with a longer front shaft sticking out past the pulley.
 
Yup, it appears to be the replacement model. The stud w/nut is present. The threaded pulley bolt does have a locknut on it so I'll try and remove that anyways but might just have to replace the hole unit.
 
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