SX water pump problem

[adam quantrill]

If you've got an SX read on - looks like a small design problem.

The idler pulley is on a bracket attached to the front of the block through one of the water pump bolts. It seems that the water pump wasn't designed to handle this sort of thing (surprise surprise) and the stress and vibration has caused it to crack through.

You can see a hairline crack in the piccie below:



Unforunately the crack extends into the water and it now leaks while the engine is running. If I replace the water pump it'll probably just happen again so I think it needs reinforcing by welding up around it, and building up more aly. Time to learn aluminium welding!

[adam quantrill]

Good ideas - I'll have a think.

>> you could ask how long the original design took to fail?

Well the car wasn't really used much until I got it, yes it's 20 years old, but only 30,000 miles now, I got it at 6,500 so I'm the first "real" driver ;^) no complaints though!!!

[adam quantrill]

OoooooOOOOOooooohhhh! Handbags at dawn.... ;^)