How Do I know When The Waterpump and Alternator pulleys are about to explode?

[Father Of Giants]

The Alternator pulley sounds and feels rough but spins freely.

The water pump pulley is making a funny noise, is about to blow up? My brother said the water pump pulley had run out.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdwF05N5CMs

What parts do I need to replace? Do I replace the entire water pump and the entire alternator OR are there pulleys that I can replace for it?

[Diseasel300]

Is that pulley bent?! The water pump noise could just be the seal making noise. If the bearings are rough, the water pump needs to be replaced. The alternator is much easier to just replace if the bearings are bad. The pulley won't wear, it's the bearings supporting the rotor that fail.

[Father Of Giants]

Originally Posted by Diseasel300

Is that pulley bent?! The water pump noise could just be the seal making noise. If the bearings are rough, the water pump needs to be replaced. The alternator is much easier to just replace if the bearings are bad. The pulley won't wear, it's the bearings supporting the rotor that fail.

I'll have to check it out in the morning, but if the bearings are bad, than pretty much means I have to replace the entire unit right? Or can I just take the pieces to a bearing shop or something?

[sgnimj96]

I had a datsun water pump (with a fan attached) that made noise for a while. Decided to have a look at it, grabbed a fan blade and the shaft of the water pump to the fan just snapped off. Good thing it didn't happen while I was driving.

[97 SL320]

I didn't listen to the vid. Mist some water on the belt, if the noise goes away you have belt noise. The pulleys get glazed and make a chirping sound. The occurs more often on flat belt system where the smooth back of belt idler has more surface area.

Sand the pulley with 80 grit paper to make a slightly roughen the V grooves of the pulley.

As for a pulley failing, the only way to tell is remove and look for cracks. On a steel pulley there will generally be a line with powdery brown rust along the crack. This is from fretting of the crack.

[Father Of Giants]

Originally Posted by 97 SL320

I didn't listen to the vid. Mist some water on the belt, if the noise goes away you have belt noise. The pulleys get glazed and make a chirping sound. The occurs more often on flat belt system where the smooth back of belt idler has more surface area.

Sand the pulley with 80 grit paper to make a slightly roughen the V grooves of the pulley.

As for a pulley failing, the only way to tell is remove and look for cracks. On a steel pulley there will generally be a line with powdery brown rust along the crack. This is from fretting of the crack.

It isn't a chirping noise but it's low pitched vrrrrrrrr vrrrrrr vrrrrrrrr noise. I just looked at the water pump pulley and the pulley does have lateral run out with the engine running.

[Father Of Giants]

and when I drive it makes a "Rooooooo" or "Wooooooo" sound under load.

[Diseasel300]

The cause of the wobbling pulley needs to be found and cured. If the pulley is bent, it needs to be replaced. If the shaft is bent or the bearings worn and floppy in the water pump, it needs to be replaced.

The "wooooooo" noise is probably coming from the pulley wobbling back and forth and making belt noise as a result. Probably also what took out your tensioner pivot...

[Father Of Giants]

Ok, so my Christmas shopping list consists of an Alternator, Water pump, and control arm bushings.


Will get er done in due time.

[Father Of Giants]

Ok, so my Christmas shopping list consists of an Alternator, Water pump, and control arm bushings.


Will get er done in due time.