S3 turbo water pump replacement

[robc]

Hi all.

does anyone know of or have a detailed guide/crib-sheet/article on replacing a s3 turbo water pump.

Dripping coolant from the underside hole in the waterpump housing.

There are some wonderful articles written about various topics on the esprit, but i cant find an article on the water pump.

Some say nightmare, some say a days work. Some say aux pulley off, some say a wiggle and its out.

Some say when the pump is removed a gasket displaces inside and its cam covers off to retrieve?

Workshop manual virtually says remove pump !!!!!

[andydclements]

You can do it in place, it's easier with the engine out or at least shifted.if you opt for No1, then I suggest removing the engine surround that is approx 15 inches tall, it helps with access.

The pain is the bolt that has its head directly in line with the edge of one of the cam sprockets. You can get it out, but you need to remove all others as well, then tap its head downwards slightly so the angle makes the end of the bolt free. use a cap-head bolt when putting the pump back on.

Clean the mating surface well, use new gasket (and I use sealer as well but it's not something you're supposed to need to do).

Do not turn the new pump dry, the water/ coolant mix is the lubricant for the seal.

I've assumed you'll be getting a pump on an exchange basis rather than refurb kit, so no advice given on that bit.

[Advantage]

Just to give you an idea as to what goes on down there. (This is from a later, fuel injected car, but the basic layout is similar)

[robc]

So it sounds like unbolt and replace, tricky bits are one bolt clearing socket (cap head on replacement) and extraction tricky.

Will gravity help. I have jacked the car up massively and have excellent vision from underneath. Although i imagine from your description its coming out the top.

never had engine surround out before - sounds useful for all sorts.

Sorry to labour this but does the pump pulley come off first to ease extraction ?

Once all bolts are clear there are no internals or lost gaskets engine side that need repositionning ? (dont know what this was about on another post).

GKP, nice engine, wanna swap !

thanks both for that, what a great forum.

[rogerch]

So come on, spill the beans. Tell us about the paint job and did it stay on when the engine was run over a few years ?

[Advantage]

That engine will never see the inside of an Esprit - it's a demo lump used for show at Hethel.

Pretty though, in a manly sorta way...

[910Esprit]

Yes, remove the pully. There are no parts to lose as you remove the pump. I have done the pump in situ. Rightly or wrongly mine didn't have a gasket. I refitted only with anearobic sealant (first making sure the rotor didn't foul the recess in the block). Not a particularly difficult joint, but you definitely want to get it right first time. Spend plenty of time cleaning the face and planning the instalation to avoid wiping away the sealant as you refit.

[Mr_John111]

Rob,

I found more clearance when I changed Sue's in situ by removing the nuts from the engine mounting long bolts and jacking the engine up a few inches (not too much or you will stress the gearbox mounts). This opened up the gap and helped to get it out of the gap between the engine and the engine bay surround.

Yes the pulley has to come off.

Good luck,

John

p.s. (buy plenty of Germolene for your scraped knuckles)

[robc]

Hi Chaps,

I was on a few weeks back asking how to get the water pump out. You kind folks helped out.

i am at the last hurdle of extraction.

I have un done all bolts and the pump is loose. But can i get it out past the timing belt !

I have not taken the pulleys off. I can see thats the easy way (thus lotus say remove belts). That last bolt was fun past the pulley.

Engine surround is out, all hoses out Alternator obviously off. water pump pulley off etc. Just the bare pump loose.

Any hints on how to actually extract loose pump from the engine.

does it go south or out the top. pulley end first? does the dog leg metal pipe come off ? Do you need to abuse the timing belt.

yours desperate ...

robc

[andydclements]

I assume you've remove the belt pulley on the pump.

Have you got all the bolts out?

If so then you remove it by moving it forward in the car and either struggle and get it past bits at the top (alternator area is a good one) or simply drop it (not literally) out the bottom.

[Mr_John111]

does it go south or out the top. pulley end first? does the dog leg metal pipe come off ? Do you need to abuse the timing belt.

yours desperate ...

robc

Did you loosen the engine mounts and jack it up a bit? I removed the alternator and it came out the top

Jacking up helped me to get it out.

John

[robc]

Hi chaps,

thanks for replying. yes pump pulley is off.

I get the trick with the engine mounts. So you undo the front engine mounts and jack the engine up and ease it back ? sounds non trivial.

I can see this would make it easier past a bulk head ridge which currently stops the pump dropping out the bottom. i may result to this. much thanks.

However Andy doesnt seem to mention engine mounts so maybe he has an exit path ..

The alternator route is interesting. you still have to pass the belt at the top it seems tighter than dropping out the bottom.

Andy, if you drop it out the bottom you end up twisting/abusing the timing belt, is this ok ?.

Andy are you suggesting you could get it out top or bottom (you're clearly a magician) ? do you do the engine mount trick ?

respect to both of you.

much much thanks

robc

[andydclements]

Don't rub anything that's sharp enough to damage the belt past it, but a 90 degree edge of the ali casting should cause no issues.