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[Shackeng]

Just bought the complete cambelt kit from stealers, includes belt, tensioner and idller and bolts for £111.81 + the dreaded. But Bu*&%r I forgot to pick up a water pump. Grrrr.

[tunnie]

Water pump quality has dipped massively it appears, reports of many failing soon after fitting. GM ones, even on trade now are stupid prices.

Your best getting it from elsewhere 

But, if its not leaking general opinion now is to leave it, and do it every 2nd belt change.

[Webby the Bear]

You can always do what I did on Ralf.... crack it off (no pun) and visually look it over. Any obvious problems get a new one

The gasket on mine was severely baked but the pump didn't appear to have anything wrong with it. However, if I was doing the job on a good car I'd have replaced it just for peace of mind

[Lazydocker]

Water pump quality has dipped massively it appears, reports of many failing soon after fitting. GM ones, even on trade now are stupid prices.

Your best getting it from elsewhere 

But, if its not leaking general opinion now is to leave it, and do it every 2nd belt change when it gets noisy/leaks.

Fixed that for you

[SMD]

If you have a GM waterpump and there's nothing wrong with it, don't change it for the sake of it. As mentioned patterns aren't great, mine was replaced 5k ago and its already quite noisy so will have to replace it when funds allow with a GM unit.

Why did you get your cambekt from GM, patterns belts from gates and conti are fine to use (according to forum) and they supply VX

[Kevin Wood]

I'd second the advice to leave the water pump be.

[JamesV6CDX]

And I'd third it.

I'd have got the cambelt kit from a buypartsby type supplier personally. OE quality with something like an SKF kit, yet only £58 plus the dreaded...

[feeutfo]

Never changed a water pump yet. Not seen any play or leaks. But I do keep one on the shelf.

Check it for play with the aux belt off, decide from there, I guess?

[JamesV6CDX]

You can always do what I did on Ralf.... crack it off (no pun) and visually look it over. Any obvious problems get a new one

The only problem I can forsee with this, is that sometimes they need a bit of a clout to get them off.

If you're planning on re-using it, this might not be a good idea.

I'd just inspect it for play, make sure it's freely turning, and not leaking, and leave it in situ, if you're not replacing it...

[Shackeng]

And I'd third it.

I'd have got the cambelt kit from a buypartsby type supplier personally. OE quality with something like an SKF kit, yet only £58 plus the dreaded...

I had thought that as most items are advised that GM are better quality, but quite happy to be advised otherwise. Does their kit include all the bits I had?  tensioner, idler & bolts? If so no problem returning it, as a mate is the storeman. I noted that he referred to the 'later type' for my '51 plate car, And thanks for heads up on the pump, will examine, and replace if good.

[JamesV6CDX]

There are some items that MUST be GM, Eg cam gaskets - but the pattern cambelt kits are all absolutely fine to use.

They all use SKF bearings, who also make the bearings (idlers/tensioner) for the GM kits - so essentially they're the same item at half the cost...

[Shackeng]

There are some items that MUST be GM, Eg cam gaskets - but the pattern cambelt kits are all absolutely fine to use.

They all use SKF bearings, who also make the bearings (idlers/tensioner) for the GM kits - so essentially they're the same item at half the cost...

Thanks very much James, ordered from BPB, at £76, so a good saving. I hope the coccyx is feeling better.

[Webby the Bear]

You can always do what I did on Ralf.... crack it off (no pun) and visually look it over. Any obvious problems get a new one

The only problem I can forsee with this, is that sometimes they need a bit of a clout to get them off.

If you're planning on re-using it, this might not be a good idea.

I'd just inspect it for play, make sure it's freely turning, and not leaking, and leave it in situ, if you're not replacing it...

Very good point mate. Although Ralf don't get the luxury of a new pump