Classic Alfa Forums

Got a steady leak from under my water pump. 1.5 95 bhp engine.

Only done a pump replacement with the engine out before, as part of a rebuild.

I know they can be difficult to remove.

Is there some way I can warm the engine up, and get access to the pump flange to loosen it before I remove rad, alternator,
belt etc?

Hi Dave.
We always did water pump replacements in the car. However The level of struggle was rather dependant of the cars age. They were either a piece of cake or a right bar steward. Start by timing the engine up so all the cam timing marks line up as you need to remove the LH belt and tensioner. Remove the plastic cover (you don’t normally need to remove the steel backing plates). Remove the pump pulley as this helps with access to the 4 pump bolts. Then it’s just a case of trying to pry the pump out you can refit the pulley at this stage if it helps with getting a good purchase on the pump. The main thing is to try to avoid rocking the pump in the block. If you do then you can attack it from underneath. If you get a really bad one the you can gain access to the back of the pump by removing the bottom hose casting from the block and go down through the square hole. However be really careful and make sure you’re hitting the pump and not the block. TBH if the car has had a pump in the past I wouldn’t expect too much a struggle. Top tip. I always smeared a thin coat of grease on the pump body as I slid it back in the block. It make a big difference next time you have to change it.

Lou

Lou,
pump was replaced approx 6 yrs ago.
I thought a warmed up engine might allow it to come free easier?

Dave

If it’s only been in 6 yrs ago I wouldn’t expect it to be too hard to get out. I’ve done them hot and cold but I’ve never heated the engine in order to do the job. If the engines hot you also have to deal with the “oh ouch f#**k damn that’s hot” effect
Lou

Lou,
I was thinking of avoiding the oofdth effect by wearing gloves!

Just did the water pump.
Found it came out fairly easily.
Key thing was to use a hammer and chisel on the fins to rotate it , and not knock it from side to side.
Anti seize grease on the new one for future ease of removal!

I thought afterwards that an oil filter removal tool might be useful to twist the water pump to loosen it?

Good thinking