Waterpump install problem
 

So I decide to do a little wrenching in the unheated garage tonight and attempt to install my brand spanking new H2O pump.....

I accidentally drop the pump under the car while trying to fit it on the front end and this chips off a small part of the impeller (which extends from roughly 12 'o clock to 2 'o clock if you're imagining the impeller as a watch face). Okay, this sucks but I figure it should still be okay to install.

So I bolt it on and the outside pulley would now only move about 10 degrees in either direction. :confused:

I'm concluding that the chipped impeller no longer makes it perfectly circular and the rough edge is getting "hung up" on a part of the water passage routing on the block right behind it. Nice. So before I start bringing out the sandpaper and grinding on something, has anyone ever had this happen to them and was there an ultimate solution (rather than calling Paragon Products to inquire on their return policy on a purchase over three months ago:(

Bent the shaft.

I would get a new pump. It will be an expensive mistake, but it prevents you from making an even more expensive and PITA mistake a few minutes into running the engine for the first time.

Now that is quite the drop.........

Ouch

Get another one...

JB Weld can do so mighty fine recovery's.

The Flow Does Not need to be prefect... Just close. and clear of sides.

former aerospace engineer.

I'm with Alex, Hugh and Jon...not an area to play with. If it wobbles or comes apart while driving, then there could be considerable damage to your engine. If it were something that didn't hurt your engine if it broke further like maybe an exhaust manifold that was cracked, you could experiment and try to repair it, but not something this important. I would replace it. I know that had to hurt and I'm sorry that happened.

Yeah. The chipped part is the least of my worries. Even if I did manage to get the clearance there would still be an ever-so-fine impeller wobble and this doesn't really endorse peace of mind. By spinning it by hand it sounds completely silent and the bend is so fine you cannot even see it. Its the 1cm scrape on the outer edge that says there is a problem.

Jeez. I dunno. I'm going on a week long vacation tomorrow so I'll just put it away and think about it for now. Decisions decisions..........

Remeber it may feel fine by hand, but spinning at 5000rpms how do you think that wobble is going to feel?

That is 5K RPM crank speed, There may be a different ratio crank to WP. No, with that engine I would not fool with a bent shaft, JB weld could probably get you by if it was a small chip, for a large chip take it to a good welder and then file or machine the mating surface.

See if anyone in your area rebuilds water pumps. For a good rebuild the shaft and seals are replaced anyway all you need is a good body and impeller. I don't know if this WP has a common size shaft and seal, but I wouldn't be surprised either way. Sorry for your luck.