Cambelt And Water Pump Change

[erbs 42 1 Cars]

ok gonna tackle this at some point after putting a new exhaust system and manifold on so need a rest now and satisfied that its blowing fumes from the correct part of the exhaust,

 

Basically whats usually the hardest part of getting to the water pump, any tips will be geatly appreciated as i don't want to get caught out when changing the cam belt too

Edited October 21, 2011 by erbs

[Anthony 1,003]

It's a straight forward job on an 8v and there's not really anything that's particularly difficult or troublesome - if you've not done it before then Haynes gives a reasonable account.

 

Only part that's sometimes a pain depending how it was lashed up by the previous owner is removing the bottom pulley, and I guess if you've got fat fingers then getting to some of the cambelt cover nuts/bolts could be a bit tricky - in particular I'm thinking of the ones that attach to the side of the upper engine mount casting.

 

If you've got the earlier 113 tooth belt and spring loaded tensioner setup (which just about everything pre-1992 has) then it's nearly impossible to mess up the belt tension too.

 

There's two different waterpump designs by the way - one with a cast flange on the side that forms part of the cambelt cover setup on later cars, and one without (that most cars use). Often suppliers give out the later pump claiming that it is used on all models - you can adapt the cambelt cover to make it fit, but easier getting the right one first time.

[erbs 42 1 Cars]

ok thanks for the advice,where do you guys usually go for these items, is valeo a good make to buy?

[feb 47]

Not sure on this particular item but Valeo are one of the OE suppliers.

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

Go for a Dayco belt kit, GSF supply these and a branded water pump, you'll find to 2 types of quality so go for the better one

[erbs 42 1 Cars]

been looking about, seems like there a few variants, can someone help me? my gti is a H reg 1991 128 bhp non PAS

[welshpug 1,657]

as anthony said, thats likely to be the earlier arrangement

 

easy enough to tell, have a look at the rear of the block next to the timing belt covers for a stud and locknut, that will be the sprung loaded sliding tensioner on earlier cars.

[erbs 42 1 Cars]

when i get time i will get these parts,not looking forward to try and get the bottom pulley off....looks like its been welded there by rust

[happygoron 2]

There's two different waterpump designs by the way - one with a cast flange on the side that forms part of the cambelt cover setup on later cars, and one without (that most cars use). Often suppliers give out the later pump claiming that it is used on all models - you can adapt the cambelt cover to make it fit, but easier getting the right one first time.

 

 

This was the only thing that caught me out. Ordered all my bits from euro car parts and they sent me the later pump. My bottom pully came off ok, though a puller will make it easy.