Squealing Halt to our 83SD
 

Today my dad was driving home from getting my siblings, and his 83SD suddenly started squealing and smoking (the belts) so he quickly pulled over and shut it off (it continued to run)......I went back to it with him, and when trying to start it while watching the belts it can be seen that the WaterPump/Fan Pulley is not moving an inch, but the crankshaft/ p/s pump / and A/C belts and pulleys all turn, I am assuming the ailing water pump seized right? Tonight we get to tow it home......then fix the poor thing. I think I'm right in my diagnosis though aren't I? And to think just yesterday we got it back on the road from all of its brake work. So now it needs new belts and a water pump and such. :(

well thats the likely culprit.

Sounds like the water pump from here. You can be thankful you are changing it on the SD versus the Caravan;).

I totally agree with you on that one! :eek:

Well.....we went back tonight and retrieved the poor car from its doomsday road about 5 miles from here....dragged it all the way back to our house with my SD, now known as "the beast" :D MAN does it take a long time to cover 5 miles at 10-15mph in 1st gear, that was the longest 5 miles ever. Now we just have to make a on-line trip to fast lane, and get the parts. Then we get to go through the fun process of getting all the belts off and doing this job, I have replaced a water pump before, (on mine last July) but it wasn't as tough since we didn't have to change the belts or anything. Hopefully we'll do ok and have the thing back on the road by the end of next week........


And. Don't even want to imagine replacing the caravan waterpump:eek: :eek: ......looking in that teeny compartment is just scary in general, you can barely reach anything at all!!!

What???
 

Plenty of blood to lubricate the area, it's only a one hour job by the book. :toilet:

Take the belt off and check before ordering parts, the alternator could be the culprit too! Easier swap, but not cheaper.

Water pump isn't bad on the later 617s -- ealier ones you must pull the crank balancer to get to one bolt.

Peter

The alternator is an MB rebuilt that isn't very old (couple years maybe from the looks of it) and it still rotates fine then the starter tries to start the car, the only pulley that doesn't turn is the fan/water pump assembly, its rock solid, doesn't even budge, the belts just squeal over the pulley. My dad said he had a huuuge cloud of rubber smoke blasting out from under the car when it happened because the belts we're frying on the crankshaft :eek: Makes me really happy that my waterpump and alternator are rather new :D

I've got an '83 300D with a 617 and as I recall, the job aint too bad. Seven little bolts I think. Just take your time so ya don't break any. Seems to me one is kinda a pain, but MB saw that and made it easier somehow. Yeah, getting all the belts loose is a slow process. Be sure to replace any belts that ran on the water pump pulley. They will be damaged from what they went thru. Oh yeah, the alternator bottom pivot bolt has a nut on the back of the alternator. Loosen it to get the alt. to move.

pawoSD,

I've found that its easier to R&R the waterpump if you remove the radiator first. R&R the radiator is easier than trying to work between it and the pump and its less likely you will damage the radiator.

NOTE: don't forget to remove the transmission cooler lines from the radiator first.

PS, I would have loosened the belts and driven the car home, coasting as much as possible and watched the temp gage. If it got too hot, I would have towed it from there.

P E H

I have an early 617.....a '79, there is a notch on the balancer that lets you get to that bolt.