Water Pump Rookie

[AlfaNeely@domain.elided]

In a message dated 9/29/2002 10:33:27 AM Central Daylight Time, 
owner-alfa-digest@domain.elided writes:


> Date: Sat, 28 Sep 2002 19:43:47 -0500
> From: Tony Martie <tony@domain.elided>
> Subject: Water Pump Rookie
> 
>   I have a sudden nasty grinding/squeaking sound coming from the front 
> end of my engine that I suspect is the water pump bearings (at least I 
> hope it's only a water pump!).  No external flood of coolant yet 
> however, wouldn't that be the most common sign of a water pump gone bad?
>   Since I have never had to replace an Alfa water pump before, and 
> cannot even really see much of it, I was wondering if someone could 
> tell me whether or not the one I found on ebay is for a Spider.
> 
> Here is the sellers description:
> On the box under the bar code the numbers are: 60624553. on the water 
> pump itself the numbers are: R2948, B 01.
> 
> Here is the link (with photo):
> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1862933197
> 
> On the other hand, maybe I really only suspect the water pump because I 
> have had the car for eight years without ever having to touch it.  And 
> I live in Dallas, where the coolant stays very hot.
> It's getting me downright antsy... fail already!
> 
> did I just type that!?
> 
> Tony Martie
> 78 Spider

       I do not know what that water pump fits, but it is not like any Alfa 
Romeo water pump I have seen.  I wonder if it even came in the Alfa box it 
sits on.  Anyone know what that is?  1900 or iron block 2000 / 2600 maybe?  
Late twin spark?
       Get a stethoscope or a long screw driver,  that will help isolate the 
noise by transferring the vibration to your ear.
       I think EVERY water pump failure I have experienced involves water 
leakage.  There is a weep hole on the underside of the four cylinder water 
pump.  Get a mirror and look at it.  You may have to pressure up the cooling 
system to make it leak.
       The other failure mode of a water pump is shucked bearings.  If you 
can wiggle the fan, the bearings are shot.
        If it is not leaking and there is no detectable wobble in the 
bearings, I would say to look for a different problem.  Alternator bearings, 
maybe?  Put the screwdriver on the alternator and see what it sounds like.  

Ciao,
Russ Neely
Oklahoma City
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