Water pump on 4.6. Easy to change/source?

My water pump had been making noises for a week or two at low revs. Today at 70mph it decided to fail completely.

I lost all my coolant and created my own fog effects on the motorway

The top pulley has gone all floppy so I presume the bearings have just collapsed or something. It's had the effect of making the steering hard too. I noticed this when driving off the AA lorry. I'm hoping it's just because the belt has lost its tension.

Is it a big job to replace? Can it be accessed without the need to remove the rad?

Do you think it's worth trying to find a used pump or should I get a new one. Are they very expensive?

I had exactly the same thing happen with an after market Britpart one, it had been making a bit of a funny noise on and off for 2/3 weeks and then completely failed on me in exactly the same way yours did, bearings failed, fan fell forward narrowly missing the rad, serpentine belt loose.

I had the water pump replaced with a genuine one and its been fine ever since, Ive only ever had bad results with after market things so far so I try and stay genuine where I can.

Steering is heavy because the belt is loose and not driving the pump, nor will it be driving the alternator.

I wouldn't advise starting the engine even for a few seconds while its got the failed water pump, you may damage the engine as its not got any way to cool itself.

-Wills

Mud Flap said:

My water pump had been making noises for a week or two at low revs. Today at 70mph it decided to fail completely.

I lost all my coolant and created my own fog effects on the motorway

The top pulley has gone all floppy so I presume the bearings have just collapsed or something. It's had the effect of making the steering hard too. I noticed this when driving off the AA lorry. I'm hoping it's just because the belt has lost its tension.

Is it a big job to replace? Can it be accessed without the need to remove the rad?

Do you think it's worth trying to find a used pump or should I get a new one. Are they very expensive?

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It is very straightforward to replace, just spanners. No need to remove radiator but you will need to remove fan and cowl.
A tommy bar or similar will be needed to apply tension to the pulleys for the belt installation.


Aftermarket pump is
£30 genuine pump about £70.

Drain coolant, remove hose from pump and undo bolts, bolts are different lengths so remember which ones came from where. Do not overtighten bolts or you could crack the housing.

Refill via the rad top and top up in expansion tank.

Thanks both for your replies.

It sounds easy enough then to change both mechanically and financially.

Mud Flap said:

Thanks both for your replies.

It sounds easy enough then to change both mechanically and financially.

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its very easy job, cant remember the spanner sizes reuired but a standard tool box should have them, and one hose clip and hose. i dont have viscous fan but if you do you will have to remove yours.
got mine from island4x4 for £35. the will send it to you as well.

Island 4x4 - High quality aftermarket parts for your Land Rover Freelander, Discovery, Defender and Range Rover.

Thanks for the link Redrange.

Of course Island 4x4 are shut until the new year, which means I cannot get one before I go back to work, so I shall have no transport

Out of desperation I phoned the local main dealer. £192 + VAT. I nearly messed the carpet.

If the after market ones only last a 6th of the time the proper ones do it's still a better deal.

Looks like I shall have to dust off my bicycle clips.

Mud Flap said:

Thanks for the link Redrange.

Of course Island 4x4 are shut until the new year, which means I cannot get one before I go back to work, so I shall have no transport

Out of desperation I phoned the local main dealer. £192 + VAT. I nearly messed the carpet.

If the after market ones only last a 6th of the time the proper ones do it's still a better deal.

Looks like I shall have to dust off my bicycle clips.

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Autopost are open till 13.00 each day, if you order tomorow you can get it on Saturday.

The viscous fan hexagon (Nut) is 36mm across flats. Despite what you may read the thread is R.H.-turn anti clockwise looking at engine from front, to remove. It will probably need a couple of sharp smacks on the spanner to free it. John Craddock at Cannock are open tomorrow and Saturday. Don't forget to ask if the gasket comes with the pump. I replaced mine with a Britpart 12 months ago and I've had no problems (So far)-suppose it's the luck of the draw.
Don't be tempted to put a dab of loctite on the fan threads as you will really have problems if you need to remove it again and watch out for damaging the radiator fins when you remove the fan. Refitting the fan-getting the threads square to start can be a bit of a pain.
Reckon a couple of hours without busting a gut.

As an afterthought, you could also try Jameson 4X4 in Aston B'ham. 0121 333 3556 (5 mins. walk from Snow Hill Station) they may be open tomorrow and Sat. morning. Not too far from Coventry by train or car.

locket said:

Autopost are open till 13.00 each day, if you order tomorow you can get it on Saturday.

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Thanks. On their website it is showing at about £64 inc vat (Twice what Island 4x4 want, but I thought I'd pay the extra as they are open and the other place is shut) I phoned them, they have one and they are posting it out Special Delivery to arrive before 1pm Saturday for £54 total. I asked and it does come with a gasket.

So hopefully I should be back on the road over the weekend.

@IrishRover. Thanks for the tip on the thread. It's always a worry isn't it which way to turn some of them. Is it just tight or are you going the wrong way.

Mud Flap-for info.... Jamesons have Test Book and they really know their P38's inside out, they also build the new RR from the bottom up, well worth keeping their details on file and they dont charge stealers prices either.

Irishrover said:

Reckon a couple of hours without busting a gut.

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I wish. Two and a half hours and I have only just jot the old one off. I could not get the fan off the pulley or the pulley off the pump, because that has all gone floppy and I cannot hold it well enough to get a good grip on the nut.

I had to chisel away at the pump until the front was able to be forced off. Got the pump off now but still have the fan assembly "trapped". It wants to pull straight up, but the radiator surround is in the way. I can't get THAT off because of all the damn air con pipes fixed to it. I've given up now as light is failing.

The only good thing is it's been sat on my drive all week going flat and leaking air so it is nice and low for working on

hi,you have proberly got it fixed now but the same happened to me on the motorway just 1 hour after i picked up my p38.Bought a new one and fitted myself in 3 hours and i am no mechanic.

p38 mike said:

hi,you have proberly got it fixed now but the same happened to me on the motorway just 1 hour after i picked up my p38.Bought a new one and fitted myself in 3 hours and i am no mechanic.

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How did you get your old gasket off? Mine was stuck solid. My new pump went on without any problems and at tickover the engine sounds nice now. No whistling of dry bearings.

I couldn,t get the old gasket off as it was stuck solid as was yours.i just left it on and put the new one over the top.sealed ok with no leaks.

p38 mike said:

I couldn,t get the old gasket off as it was stuck solid as was yours.i just left it on and put the new one over the top.sealed ok with no leaks.

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chamber clearances effecting pump effectiveness?? just a thought??

thank you all