Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Webby the Bear on 11 June 2015, 18:11:18

Title: Changing water pump without changing cam belt
Post by: Webby the Bear on 11 June 2015, 18:11:18
Ok, so I got it wrong  :-[

Cam belt on my car sounds fine without aux belt. Changed aux belt and pulley today but the noise is coming from the water pump. Got loooooads of play.

Is there a way to ensure the water pump comes off without getting it on the cam belt or realistically shall I just stick a new kit on?

Current cam belt kit was put on under two years ago and has ten thousand miles on.
Title: Re: Changing water pump without changing cam belt
Post by: The Red Baron on 11 June 2015, 18:22:00
stick a pump on steve, i wouldnt change the kit just for the sake of it tbh.  :)
Title: Re: Changing water pump without changing cam belt
Post by: Webby the Bear on 11 June 2015, 18:23:48
Thanks Jon.

Any tips for keeping the coolant off the belt? Bunch of rags I spose  :-\
Title: Re: Changing water pump without changing cam belt
Post by: The Red Baron on 11 June 2015, 18:26:13
pretty much, yes. cant really avoid it tbh.  ;)
Title: Re: Changing water pump without changing cam belt
Post by: Webby the Bear on 11 June 2015, 18:27:47
Ok thanks mate  :y

One last question. . .

Can get an aftermarket pump for twenty to twenty five notes from work. Are vx pumps still stupid expensive?
Title: Re: Changing water pump without changing cam belt
Post by: deviator on 11 June 2015, 18:30:28
I use cling film over the belt and crank pulley. Then cover it in clothes. As you always get bits dropping out and you don't want them in your belt.
Title: Re: Changing water pump without changing cam belt
Post by: Webby the Bear on 11 June 2015, 18:31:20
I use cling film over the belt and crank pulley. Then cover it in clothes. As you always get bits dropping out and you don't want them in your belt.

That my son is an excellent idea!!!!  :y
Title: Re: Changing water pump without changing cam belt
Post by: Kevin Wood on 11 June 2015, 18:32:36
Water won't harm the belt at all.

I would go for a reputable pattern part. :y
Title: Re: Changing water pump without changing cam belt
Post by: Webby the Bear on 11 June 2015, 18:33:26
Water won't harm the belt at all.

I would go for a reputable pattern part. :y

Thanks kev.

I thought coolant was bad for the belt tho  :-\
Title: Re: Changing water pump without changing cam belt
Post by: deviator on 11 June 2015, 18:35:54
Yes the wife wasn't best impressed when a few days later,  'Have you seen the cling film?' to which  :-X


Kevin, it's not the water, it's alloy bits, coolant deposits and general crud. If it drops on the crank pulley or rests on a tooth on the belt (on the downward side) it gets embedded into the belt. I've seen this once, the belt wasn't old but had to be replaced.

Title: Re: Changing water pump without changing cam belt
Post by: gstylebaby on 12 June 2015, 08:24:42
Mr webby i have two that are smp ones which I believe are made by skf which are for sale if your interested. :y
Title: Re: Changing water pump without changing cam belt
Post by: steve6367 on 12 June 2015, 08:39:26
Thanks Jon.

Any tips for keeping the coolant off the belt? Bunch of rags I spose  :-\

I've done it - you wont stop the coolant getting everywhere. Rinse well with clean fresh water after and run the engine immediately until it all dry if what I did and all ok  :y
Title: Re: Changing water pump without changing cam belt
Post by: Webby the Bear on 12 June 2015, 19:43:08
Thanks guys  :y

Ordered a pump from work today. £23. By bga. Or summat like that. Will prob do it next week.
Title: Re: Changing water pump without changing cam belt
Post by: TheBoy on 13 June 2015, 08:37:42
Sorry, late to this. I made a guide out of a bit of flexible plastic which I gaffer taped to block under pump, just to throw the coolant clear of belt/pulley.

Any branded pattern part for the pump should be fine, as the GM pumps are a bit silly pricewise.  Be prepared to cut down the pulley bolts, as with most pattern, they foul.

Obviously clean up the block before refit to give the seal a chance to work.
Title: Re: Changing water pump without changing cam belt
Post by: Webby the Bear on 13 June 2015, 12:54:49
Cheers TB.

I think the cling film, rags and brake cleaner followed by a dose of compressed air to dry will do the trick  :y

Cheers for the note about the pulley bolts  :y are you saying that they're too long, stick out the back of the part of the pump that spins and catch on the pump body?
Title: Re: Changing water pump without changing cam belt
Post by: Nick W on 13 June 2015, 13:41:01
Cheers TB.

I think the cling film, rags and brake cleaner followed by a dose of compressed air to dry will do the trick  :y

Cheers for the note about the pulley bolts  :y are you saying that they're too long, stick out the back of the part of the pump that spins and catch on the pump body?


That's exactly what happens. Then you have 2 options: 1 spend ages moaning about how that is utterly unacceptable and that the supplier should give you a brand new car as compensation; 2 - act like a mechanic and just deal with the problem by  using shorter bolts(they're M6 so that's easy)/cutting your existing ones down(the hard way)/adding a couple of washers under each bolthead.


As for the coolant leaking from the waterpump, you're over thinking things. Unbolt the pump, rinse the coolant off the pulley etc with tap water and fit the new pump. It's a Vx V6, so you're bound to have some cleaning up to do!
Title: Re: Changing water pump without changing cam belt
Post by: Webby the Bear on 13 June 2015, 13:46:22
Option 2 every time Nick  :y

Thanks for that  :y
Title: Re: Changing water pump without changing cam belt
Post by: robson on 13 June 2015, 19:00:54
Isnt there a pump with a plastic impeller that should be avoided?
Title: Re: Changing water pump without changing cam belt
Post by: TheBoy on 13 June 2015, 20:09:30
Cheers for the note about the pulley bolts  :y are you saying that they're too long, stick out the back of the part of the pump that spins and catch on the pump body?
Yup, catch on the strengthening webbing on the pump.