New engine rebuild

[Gilespfr]

My excitement at completing my engine rebuild last August and taking it out for an early spin, was slightly tempered by hearing a hollow knocking noise coming up the gear stick from the engine bay. My guy who fitted it is 95% sure it's the water pump spindle knocking the sides and suggested not using it until we sort this with the engineers. Does this sound right and could anyone advise me if they have had a similar issue? As part of the rebuild, a refurb kit was used on the old water pump. Any thoughts on this would be very welcome. Thanks.

Cheers

Giles

[Guest]

Hi, I don't understand how the water pump could send a knocking noise up the gear stick, is the knocking only when driving?

[Gilespfr]

Thanks for reply. It makes that noise after 10/15 mins of running, stationary or driving. It's from the front of the engine and is a metal scrapping noise - not so much knocking as metal scrapping together - does it three four times a minute and when you rev. This is when I wish I was a better mechanic!
What do you think that is? I've recorded it but not sure we can add sound files? Thanks very much.
Giles

[Goldstar]

Fan clipping bottom hose jubilee clip?

[new to this]

Fan clipping bottom hose jubilee clip?

i was going to say that

[Gilespfr]

Interesting -I'll look at that thanks.

[Knockwurst]

I think I may be able to help. If you don't fit sufficient thickness of gasket to the water pump cover, when the engine warms up and the pump thermally expands, the pump touches the cover. If you add another thin gasket to the cover, the noise should go. I had exactly the same issue.

[Gilespfr]

That's great news thanks, good advice I'll look at the gasket, as the fan is easily clearing the hose!

[Gilespfr]

I think I may be able to help. If you don't fit sufficient thickness of gasket to the water pump cover, when the engine warms up and the pump thermally expands, the pump touches the cover. If you add another thin gasket to the cover, the noise should go. I had exactly the same issue.

Is it ok to drive with this problem?

[KOY 23]

Personally I wouldnt. If it is lack of clearance in the pump, the scraping will wear the metal away until the scraping stops or the pump will jam and wreck the engine. Neither ideal.

[Gilespfr]

Personally I wouldnt. If it is lack of clearance in the pump, the scraping will wear the metal away until the scraping stops or the pump will jam and wreck the engine. Neither ideal.

Ok thanks

[davidf]

Make sure you (or whoever does the job) reads the instructions properly about setting the correct clearance. It is not just a case of fitting a gasket to seal the cover.

[Gilespfr]

Had my engineer round today who did the engine rebuild - he's 99% cert. that the noise coming from front is the viscous coupling for the fan which is in need of replacing, hence the sporadic noise when it sticks / slows.

[jleyton]

That sounds pretty likely and I hope it is that - not too difficult, or expensive, to fix

I'm currently on my fifth VC

Cheers

Julian

[Gilespfr]

Julian
How did you know your VC was on the way out - sounds like you've got quite a bit f experience here? Guess the rad has to come off?

cheers

Giles