*What's *The*Harm*Please*

[Roo]

Hi All
Its been suggested that possible either my Water pump or and my Alternator are on their way out...

At the moment she starts first time,no leaks. So I was just wondering if either or both go, would I cause that much damage ?if I wait n see what happens please or are they serious and I should sort them ASAP please?..

If I do need these parts where do I go for them and how much am I lQQking to pay for them Please?



Thank You

[Drift]

Roo how do you know they are faulty?

Altinator would show low or to high o the gauge, water pump would leak or could be very rattly and your running temp could be affected.

[Retro Pedro]

Hi Roo
Are both driven by the same anciliary belt?
Is it making a squeeling noise? If it is it might just a matter of tightening the ancilliary belt or getting the ancilliary belt changed if it's tensioned by a spring loaded tensioner.

[Retro Pedro]

Just stopped to think about the reply I posted - don't think they will be driven by the same belt - Water pump will be driven by the timing belt and the alternator will be driven by the power steering pump belt.

[Roo]

[colley]

If its making a whining noise roo I would put money on it being the auto tensioner on the auxiliary belt Same thing happened to my truck.
If you remove the auxiliary belt and start up your truck and the noise gos then you know your water pump is fine

[BUMPTJ]

Hi Roo, as Drift said who's said they are about to go?

If the waterpump on its way out then it will probably be leaking water through a little hole thats just behind the seal.If it is leaking then get it changed as it may seize which would jump the cambelt and I think your engine is the interference engine then it would bend some valves.

If the alternator is faulty then it would be A) overcharging which would lead to battery failure as it boils off the battery acid (possibly causing the battery to explode)

or B) undercharging in which case you would notice at night that the headlamps grow brighter as you rev the car and dimmer as the res come off. This would lead to a flat battery eventually.

If you need either the try a local motorfactors. The pump shouldn't be more than £25+vat and the alternator no more than £70+vat although you could get one from an autosparks for about 40-50

[FUDDY MUCKER]

[Sir-Doris]

I have a spare alternator in the garage doing nothing if indeed it is that. Water pump should be ok as it was pumping water fine last time I checked.

If the alternator is making a whirring sound then it will be the bearings on the way out as its charging fine or at least it was. Easily checked with a multimeter.

Like colley suggested first and best bet is the auxilliary belt tensioner. Second hand about a tenner, new could be up to £45.

[Roo]

Next time I am in town will jet wash it.. And is it ok to just wash all the engine, or do I have to take care around certain electrical areas please?

Think if the alternator is going to cost £45.00 and the water pump £25.00 then I want to get new, I think, then I know its sorted as it will give me peace of mind as I don't want to break down on me own or with my daughter...

Many Thanks Guys for all the reply' s

[stu]

£45 for an alternator thats cheap . i paid £130 for my recon one last year .

[Sir-Doris]

Nelt tensioner could be up to £45ish or a bit more.

New alternator will be upwards of £100.

New water pump around £25ish

When jetwashing be careful around the spark plugs and all the electrical connectors.

[weave67]

you could always try the big screwdriver on the alternator trick and putting you ear against it you will hear it if its whining (but be carefull of your hair and loose clothing)

[Drift]

Forget about it till it goes

To clean it your best running a couple of buckets of clear water through it (you WILL get soaked) while engine is running then keep the engine running until it dries then squirt some silicone spray around the rear of the alternator and the wires to coat them and thats your job done, dont get the spray on the belts or they will slip.

Its always best keeping you eyes open for cheap alternators and starters when you go off road because sooner or later you will kill one or two.