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40 Posts
For the past two weeks my water pump belt (no AC) was squealing at idle. Yes, it took me that long to get on top of things, besides, since I moved, I am barely driving even 5 mi/day. Knowing that the belt was oldish (~30k mi), I figured it was time to replace it, bought a new one, and got to work....Everything seems standard: belt is undamaged, looks fine, fine to keep for a spare in the trunk.
While putting the new belt on, I discover this (mods--these pics are small--but posted or linked is up to you)
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l218/TierraAmor/chip1.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l218/TierraAmor/chip3.jpg
(sorry they are so bad; all I had was my cell phone!)
I pretty much stared in disbelief. What causes that? My friend says, "Well Lindsay, you DID hit a deer [a year and a half ago]." :roll: It's not a year and a half old. I would have noticed this; it is new damage.
So question 1 is: what the heck causes this? Do I have bigger problems than a chipped water pump pulley, as in, there is stuff flying around under my hood? To take inventory: nothing else unusual is wrong mechanically, except a rattling heat shield I just haven't gotten to yet. (Examined--needs a new corner welded on.) Everything under my hood is stock, and as mentioned, I have no AC. No mods, not jurry-rigged repairs, nothing like that.
I had to get home from where I was, and as the previous belt hadn't been so much as scratched, we shrugged and tightened up the new belt. Drove the two miles home and readjusted, per the shop manual. My belt is still squealing at idle. Sigh.
So question 2 is: do I have to replace it? If so, I haven't had to buy any real parts yet for this car, and frankly, I'm used to looking for parts for cars that are older than me, so this is a whole new game. How much is a water pump and where do I get it? Do I have to get it from the dealership?
Any advice would be great. If you need to know anything (no, I haven't measured the chip in milimeters) or want better pictures or anything, just let me know. Thanks, all.
Lindsay
While putting the new belt on, I discover this (mods--these pics are small--but posted or linked is up to you)

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l218/TierraAmor/chip1.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l218/TierraAmor/chip3.jpg
(sorry they are so bad; all I had was my cell phone!)
I pretty much stared in disbelief. What causes that? My friend says, "Well Lindsay, you DID hit a deer [a year and a half ago]." :roll: It's not a year and a half old. I would have noticed this; it is new damage.
So question 1 is: what the heck causes this? Do I have bigger problems than a chipped water pump pulley, as in, there is stuff flying around under my hood? To take inventory: nothing else unusual is wrong mechanically, except a rattling heat shield I just haven't gotten to yet. (Examined--needs a new corner welded on.) Everything under my hood is stock, and as mentioned, I have no AC. No mods, not jurry-rigged repairs, nothing like that.
I had to get home from where I was, and as the previous belt hadn't been so much as scratched, we shrugged and tightened up the new belt. Drove the two miles home and readjusted, per the shop manual. My belt is still squealing at idle. Sigh.
So question 2 is: do I have to replace it? If so, I haven't had to buy any real parts yet for this car, and frankly, I'm used to looking for parts for cars that are older than me, so this is a whole new game. How much is a water pump and where do I get it? Do I have to get it from the dealership?
Any advice would be great. If you need to know anything (no, I haven't measured the chip in milimeters) or want better pictures or anything, just let me know. Thanks, all.
Lindsay