Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Pitchfork on 21 February 2008, 19:23:59

Title: Traktor Water Pump
Post by: Pitchfork on 21 February 2008, 19:23:59
What is the usual failure mode?
Mine failed this morning causing the Aux belt to go slack/ altenator to stop turning, then of course the engine boiled up because the coolant discharged itself all over the road though the front of the pump
I thought that failure was due to vanes coming off!
Title: Re: Traktor Water Pump
Post by: kbou55 on 21 February 2008, 19:43:23
mine shed its blades a few months ago but didn't throw its belt and didn't boil over thank god

Maybe the bearing collapsed on yours aswell, hope ur head isn't warped or cracked though :-[
Title: Re: Traktor Water Pump
Post by: rad cap on 21 February 2008, 22:08:38
did you have antifreeze in it
Title: Re: Traktor Water Pump
Post by: Pitchfork on 22 February 2008, 09:12:42
Quote
did you have antifreeze in it
Yes
From other comment I think the bearing must have gone. The AA man was able to 'shake-hands' with the pulley & coolant was pouring out
I only drove about a half mile before pulling over somewhere safe by which time the temp guage had gone off the scale
It's running OK now with a replacement pump so hopefully no other damage has ocured
Title: Re: Traktor Water Pump
Post by: TheBoy on 22 February 2008, 10:55:32
Usually sheds the vanes of the plastic impellor, because as I keep rattling on, the engine was 'designed' by a stupid prat from BMW.  I suspect this particular idiot now works in the BMW styling dept.

I'm wondering if plastic vanes going everywhere caused the pump to jam  :-/

These engines, according to BMW, are safe to 110C (which is about 100C on the dash gauge on Omegas), after which they are very, very, very prone to cracking.  Keep an eye on if its pressurising a bit much over next few weeks.  Top rad hose shouldn't go too hard after a good blat.

IIRC, yours was running a bit warm before?  Wonder if you'd shed a couple of vanes a while ago, reducing cooling efficiency?


And a warning to all BMW tractor owners, if you haven't changed your waterpump in last 3yrs, consider doing so as a matter of course.
Title: Re: Traktor Water Pump
Post by: Pitchfork on 22 February 2008, 11:30:47
Just checked with guy who changed it - all vanes intact but bearing collasped
I noticed this morning that motor seems more noisy than before when revved, it sounds like the viscous fan is causing it & wonder whether the shock of the pump failure has caused it either to start working or lock-up
Either way, running temp now a steady 92C with current ambient of 12C here in cloudy Boringstoke
I'll keep an eye on it as suggested although it make take more than a couple of weeks as I am in USA again next week & flying up to Leeds the week after
Perhaps the drive to Heathrow on Monday may give it an opportunity to disclose any damage as a result of the overheating?
Title: Re: Traktor Water Pump
Post by: TheBoy on 22 February 2008, 11:38:27
Quote
Just checked with guy who changed it - all vanes intact but bearing collasped
I noticed this morning that motor seems more noisy than before when revved, it sounds like the viscous fan is causing it & wonder whether the shock of the pump failure has caused it either to start working or lock-up
Either way, running temp now a steady 92C with current ambient of 12C here in cloudy Boringstoke
I'll keep an eye on it as suggested although it make take more than a couple of weeks as I am in USA again next week & flying up to Leeds the week after
Perhaps the drive to Heathrow on Monday may give it an opportunity to disclose any damage as a result of the overheating?
Or maybe the viscous locked abruptly, causing pump to fail (viscous is screwed on to pump)?

I personally have removed the viscous.  Not sure what the 'designer' was smoking when he decided it need it.  Running without the viscous does introduce some big advantages of less noise and more perfomance (no power lost driving that fan, plus in traffic, more chance of electric fans (and hence intercooler fan if you have one) coming on) :y
Title: Re: Traktor Water Pump
Post by: Pitchfork on 22 February 2008, 11:45:30
Really?
I thought that the Viscous was on a separate pully from pump but driven by same belt?
I have 2 rad fans & a new intercooler fan (original was seized solid) & as far as I know they all switch in when required
Title: Re: Traktor Water Pump
Post by: TheBoy on 22 February 2008, 11:51:15
Quote
Really?
I thought that the Viscous was on a separate pully from pump but driven by same belt?
I have 2 rad fans & a new intercooler fan (original was seized solid) & as far as I know they all switch in when required
Intercooler fan seizes due to rarely coming on (esp if a bloody viscous whining away all the time), but fortunately can be easily freed up if it happens again :y

Viscous actually screws on to the waterpump shaft - that pulley the belt goes round is the waterpump.
Title: Re: Traktor Water Pump
Post by: Kevin Wood on 22 February 2008, 12:01:14
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I suspect this particular idiot now works in the BMW styling dept.

.. and reads too many Batman comics  ;D

Quote
Intercooler fan seizes due to rarely coming on (esp if a bloody viscous whining away all the time)

Could they not think of a more intelligent way of controlling the intercooler fan? Intercooler and rad. have totally different cooling requirements. You're going to need the intercooler most when you're on boost. How often does that happen when you're sitting in a traffic jam?

.. and viscous fans are the work of the devil. You're well shot of that. Water pump should last better without it too.

Kevin
Title: Re: Traktor Water Pump
Post by: Pitchfork on 22 February 2008, 12:06:46
I tried to free-up the old Intercooler fan but it was rusted solid
Thanks for the info on what the viscous was mounted to, you could be correct that the increased noise, if it is as I suspect from the Viscous fan, might well have caused the water pump to self-destruct when it decided to lock-up suddenly, but then I was only rolling down hill with no throttle applied at 50mph when it failed and at 92.5C
I think I'll wait for the summer & see how the cooling system behaves, then try removing the viscous to see what effect it has
With current ambient temps, you cannot reach an accurate conclusion
Title: Re: Traktor Water Pump
Post by: TheBoy on 22 February 2008, 12:18:14
Quote
Quote
I suspect this particular idiot now works in the BMW styling dept.

.. and reads too many Batman comics  ;D

Quote
Intercooler fan seizes due to rarely coming on (esp if a bloody viscous whining away all the time)

Could they not think of a more intelligent way of controlling the intercooler fan? Intercooler and rad. have totally different cooling requirements. You're going to need the intercooler most when you're on boost. How often does that happen when you're sitting in a traffic jam?

.. and viscous fans are the work of the devil. You're well shot of that. Water pump should last better without it too.

Kevin
I think i/c fan should be on at very low speed (ie in traffic).  The fan will never be as efficient as airflow when the car has a few mph on it...

I agree the viscous fan is a bloody silly idea.  As said on many an occasion, design by a pillock.  (and I feel justified in saying this after spending all sprin/summer/autumn working on this engine  >:()
Title: Re: Traktor Water Pump
Post by: TheBoy on 22 February 2008, 12:21:30
Quote
I tried to free-up the old Intercooler fan but it was rusted solid
Thanks for the info on what the viscous was mounted to, you could be correct that the increased noise, if it is as I suspect from the Viscous fan, might well have caused the water pump to self-destruct when it decided to lock-up suddenly, but then I was only rolling down hill with no throttle applied at 50mph when it failed and at 92.5C
I think I'll wait for the summer & see how the cooling system behaves, then try removing the viscous to see what effect it has
With current ambient temps, you cannot reach an accurate conclusion
Remove it now, see how things go in this temp, then see how things run in summer.

Once I'd cured my root overheating issue (due to previous poor oil changes every 10k), I haven't had viscous on mine, and I drove it all through the summer like that (and with a cracked head as well!).

If you're worried, keep it (upright) in the boot along with a 32mm (iirc) spanner to refit if you need to in an emergency :y
Title: Re: Traktor Water Pump
Post by: Omegatoy on 22 February 2008, 14:59:54
My Intercooler fan is wired to a seperate switch in the cabin, The Boy will vouch what a difference it makes when its switched on as he was reading the intake temperature on the Tech 1 when we did a trial run, definetly worth doing as just by switching it on once a DAY the  motor has never siezed again!!!
Omegatoy
Title: Re: Traktor Water Pump
Post by: TheBoy on 22 February 2008, 16:37:00
Quote
My Intercooler fan is wired to a seperate switch in the cabin, The Boy will vouch what a difference it makes when its switched on as he was reading the intake temperature on the Tech 1 when we did a trial run, definetly worth doing as just by switching it on once a DAY the  motor has never siezed again!!!
Omegatoy
Nice to see you've stolen someone's internet connection Omegatoy :P - how's the weather you lucky sod?

I was going to try and do something clever involving automatically bringin on intercooler below a certain speed when coolant up to temp.  Not sure I can be bothered, and will probably just do similar to yours...
Title: Re: Traktor Water Pump
Post by: Omegatoy on 22 February 2008, 20:20:04
Quote
Quote
My Intercooler fan is wired to a seperate switch in the cabin, The Boy will vouch what a difference it makes when its switched on as he was reading the intake temperature on the Tech 1 when we did a trial run, definetly worth doing as just by switching it on once a DAY the  motor has never siezed again!!!
Omegatoy
Nice to see you've stolen someone's internet connection Omegatoy :P - how's the weather you lucky sod?

I was going to try and do something clever involving automatically bringin on intercooler below a certain speed when coolant up to temp.  Not sure I can be bothered, and will probably just do similar to yours...

have to admit to shivering in 19degrees today :y having said that it is winter here , though rain is forecast for tomorrow, I have no doubt we will see the sun as well, 8-)
as you know my IC FAN is wired through a relay with a warning light to tell me its on, Easy job for most of the oofers on here :)
Title: Re: Traktor Water Pump
Post by: Pitchfork on 23 February 2008, 09:18:45
Quote
Quote
Quote
My Intercooler fan is wired to a seperate switch in the cabin, The Boy will vouch what a difference it makes when its switched on as he was reading the intake temperature on the Tech 1 when we did a trial run, definetly worth doing as just by switching it on once a DAY the  motor has never siezed again!!!
Omegatoy
Nice to see you've stolen someone's internet connection Omegatoy :P - how's the weather you lucky sod?

I was going to try and do something clever involving automatically bringin on intercooler below a certain speed when coolant up to temp.  Not sure I can be bothered, and will probably just do similar to yours...

have to admit to shivering in 19degrees today :y having said that it is winter here , though rain is forecast for tomorrow, I have no doubt we will see the sun as well, 8-)
as you know my IC FAN is wired through a relay with a warning light to tell me its on, Easy job for most of the oofers on here :)
Have you bypassed the ECU control to the Intercooler so that it is only manual now?
I'm off to Cleveland Ohio Monday (-10C) but not as cold as Detroit last week (-17C)!!
Title: Re: Traktor Water Pump
Post by: TheBoy on 24 February 2008, 20:54:00
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
My Intercooler fan is wired to a seperate switch in the cabin, The Boy will vouch what a difference it makes when its switched on as he was reading the intake temperature on the Tech 1 when we did a trial run, definetly worth doing as just by switching it on once a DAY the  motor has never siezed again!!!
Omegatoy
Nice to see you've stolen someone's internet connection Omegatoy :P - how's the weather you lucky sod?

I was going to try and do something clever involving automatically bringin on intercooler below a certain speed when coolant up to temp.  Not sure I can be bothered, and will probably just do similar to yours...

have to admit to shivering in 19degrees today :y having said that it is winter here , though rain is forecast for tomorrow, I have no doubt we will see the sun as well, 8-)
as you know my IC FAN is wired through a relay with a warning light to tell me its on, Easy job for most of the oofers on here :)
Have you bypassed the ECU control to the Intercooler so that it is only manual now?
I'm off to Cleveland Ohio Monday (-10C) but not as cold as Detroit last week (-17C)!!
The ecu does not control the i/c fan - the system ain't that clever!

Its controlled purely by the rad switch
Title: Re: Traktor Water Pump
Post by: Omegatoy on 25 February 2008, 20:50:39
[]
Have you bypassed the ECU control to the Intercooler so that it is only manual now?
I'm off to Cleveland Ohio Monday (-10C) but not as cold as Detroit last week (-17C)!![/quote]
The ecu does not control the i/c fan - the system ain't that clever!

Its controlled purely by the rad switch[/quote]

That has always puzzled me :o why have the intake charge temperature controlled by the rad switch? by the time the rad switch turns on the main fan and thus the IC fan the intake temp is to high forgood power anyway :'(
Title: Re: Traktor Water Pump
Post by: TheBoy on 25 February 2008, 20:53:42
Quote
That has always puzzled me :o why have the intake charge temperature controlled by the rad switch? by the time the rad switch turns on the main fan and thus the IC fan the intake temp is to high forgood power anyway :'(
Because its a stupid design!  Not sure it was done for power, and remember early ones have no fan...
Title: Re: Traktor Water Pump
Post by: Omegatoy on 25 February 2008, 21:13:58
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Quote
That has always puzzled me :o why have the intake charge temperature controlled by the rad switch? by the time the rad switch turns on the main fan and thus the IC fan the intake temp is to high forgood power anyway :'(
Because its a stupid design!  Not sure it was done for power, and remember early ones have no fan...
nor am I but remeber later ones produced more power with the IC fan :y
Title: Re: Traktor Water Pump
Post by: TheBoy on 25 February 2008, 21:17:49
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Quote
Quote
That has always puzzled me :o why have the intake charge temperature controlled by the rad switch? by the time the rad switch turns on the main fan and thus the IC fan the intake temp is to high forgood power anyway :'(
Because its a stupid design!  Not sure it was done for power, and remember early ones have no fan...
nor am I but remeber later ones produced more power with the IC fan :y
We know the reality of having the fan, esp at lower speeds when no other airflow.

However, all Omega tractors are rated at 120bhp...
Title: Re: Traktor Water Pump
Post by: Omegatoy on 25 February 2008, 21:20:48
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Quote
Quote
Quote
That has always puzzled me :o why have the intake charge temperature controlled by the rad switch? by the time the rad switch turns on the main fan and thus the IC fan the intake temp is to high forgood power anyway :'(
Because its a stupid design!  Not sure it was done for power, and remember early ones have no fan...
nor am I but remeber later ones produced more power with the IC fan :y
We know the reality of having the fan, esp at lower speeds when no other airflow.

However, all Omega tractors are rated at 120bhp...

nope later ones have 134bhp std and some(ahem adjusted ones )are a lot higher than that!!! ;D :y
Title: Re: Traktor Water Pump
Post by: kbou55 on 26 February 2008, 01:28:43
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Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
That has always puzzled me :o why have the intake charge temperature controlled by the rad switch? by the time the rad switch turns on the main fan and thus the IC fan the intake temp is to high forgood power anyway :'(
Because its a stupid design!  Not sure it was done for power, and remember early ones have no fan...
nor am I but remeber later ones produced more power with the IC fan :y
We know the reality of having the fan, esp at lower speeds when no other airflow.

However, all Omega tractors are rated at 120bhp...

nope later ones have 134bhp std and some(ahem adjusted ones )are a lot higher than that!!! ;D :y

 :y :y :y
Title: Re: Traktor Water Pump
Post by: Seth on 27 February 2008, 21:11:10
Got to agree totally with The Boy - change the water pump every three years, or as soon as you buy a 2.5TD. The plastic impeller is a less-than-satisfactory idea, to put it mildly! A failure can be a costly affair.