My Grandson posted this yesterday and no one responded so wondered if he put it in the wrong place...


Hey guys,

I am getting a grinding sound under the hood, it sounds like a bad bearing. I originally thought it was the idler pulley but after replacing that I am pretty sure it is the water pump. Can any one give me any insight as to how tough it is to replace the water pump on the Xfire? Also, any recommended after market pumps or is it best to go with the manufacturers pump?

Thanks,
Troy

 

I did mine as it was crushed and in need of replacement.
Its not hard but you need the correct torx tools and you need to make a MAP of the bolt holes so that all the fittings go back in the correct spot. The bolts are different length, and that will screw your day.

Use the new water pump to locate the bolts as there is always one that you miss. You could use the new pump to hold the bolts and then transfer them to the old pump to keep the alignment of the different fasteners. The bolts are also dirfferent sizes.

Take your time, use the camera to keep track of things and its about a 4 hour job. Use fender covers and dont get into a snit about the effort, it takes time and is better to spread over a couple of days.

Watch the gaskets to be DEAD sure they are in position and do a couple of fit checks with the old one till you get the feel of how it goes.

I got mine from ROB at needswings as he could get the factory parts for a good price. Just my way.

Please let me know the outcome, Id be interested in your success.

Enjoy Woody

 

Thanks I appeciate your words of wisdom...

 

Judy, sorry I didn't see Troy's post. It was I that told him it was probably the idler pulley and on the drive back home, I kept thinking about it and wondering if it may in fact be the water pump. Just had that nagging feeling for some reason. They are not difficult to replace, but you have to take your time, and as already said, make sure you get the right bolts in the right holes. Tell Troy I'm sorry for giving him the bumb dope on the pulley.

 

I too thought it was the idler pulley while at the Dragon a few weeks ago.
Hope he gets the issue resolved.
Personally I don't think I would do a water pump myself but.......

 

Not really....Water Pump Replacement

 

Thanks for the tips... I appreciate it! I took the belt off and removed the idler pulley, it did have some noise coming from it but unfortunately it wasn't the entire problem. I have two weeks off from school coming up so maybe I can make it an after work project. I will be sure to let you know how it goes!

Thanks again,
Troy

 

Thanks guys,
Also heard from Dave in Canada and he sent more info too....well hope TJ can put it on then if I need one he will know how....that was the plan remember???

 

To bad we don't have any Grand Rapids members that could help him or maybe have some tools to use...

 

So I finally got out and started working on the car... Got everything finished in one day with only one minor problem. I did take lots of pictures and documented my steps. When I get a few extra minutes I will put together step by step directions to post on the forum for anyone else who has to replace one.

I wanted to thank everyone for the help and suggestions, I really appreciate it.