K Series Water Pump Change

[A7 OOH]

I am using the current lockdown period to replace the  Cambelt - Tensioner and Waterpump on my 1800 K series.

I have read all the the posts and feel happy carrying out the job (says I) - regarding the water pump, do I need to drain the system  first, can I lubricate the pump seal with Vaseline in place of rubber lub and finally any tips on bleeding the cooling system should I need to drain down. 

The antifreeze currently in the engine is a pink colour- any idea what make and type this is?? (could it be Comma X stream Red?)

Any advice on doing the works  appreciated.

Gordon

[Wrightpayne]

Most of what you are asking is in the archives albeit the search facility is a little finicky - oft better to go via google!

Ensure the new water pump has metal impellers. Yes, it will empty itself of coolant when you remove the pump.

If you are running a manual tensioner you can fit the slightly wider Gates VVC belt - part number will be in the archives.

 

I dont recall lubricating the big O ring on the pump - vaseline is petroleum based so not sure. Silicone grease maybe better.

If ordering up bits I'd get yourself a haynes manual - I have 3453. Not as detailed as they used to be but cover cam belt change.

Ian

 

[TomB]

The OE pump has an evaporating chamber cast onto to allow any seepages to, well, evaporate.  I managed to get one from Redline with both chamber and impellor after he managed to track one down.  Not all water pumps are created equally.  Be careful if buying from eBay, or in one of those combined belt/tensioner/pump kits where you'll just get generic cheap stuff thrown together.  Far better to buy what you want separately, even if it means a but more cost.  

Gates belt, metal impellor pump, quality tensioner (auto or manual?- make sure you get the right one for your car). 

Just call Redline!    

[Wrightpayne]

Just remembered my tensioner was an INA brand bearing.

[7 wonders of the world]

A smear of RRG on the pump O ring will help it sit in place and reduce the chance of it rolling

[A7 OOH]

Thanks

Chris at Redline are supplying the complete kit with Gates Belt so should be ok.

What is RRG?

[7 wonders of the world]

Red Rubber Grease,

Few here on fleabay,

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_osacat=0&_odkw=rrg&_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=rrg+red+rubber+grease&_sacat=0

 

[Wrightpayne]

I had to google RRG grease, as never heard of it before!

[Silver Machine]

Some recommend/use a liquid gasket. Have used and not used. Found no difference in my case regarding water pump on k. The silicone O ring, provided it is new seems to do the job.

[oilyhands]

Make sure you get a water pump with a metal impellor and full evap chamber around the pillar bolt. The O ring supplied is more than up to the job, just tack it in place with a few dabs of hylomar or similar, it will stop it possibly mislocating when fitting the pump. Make sure you loctite all the pump bolts, if they come adrift they will drop into the cambelt void which wont be good.

If you have a manual tensioner - Gates 5416XS belt and INA tensioner

If you have an auto tensioner - Gates 5497XS belt, check the surface of the tensioner to make sure it is flat across the profile, if not linish it flat and repolish, it will extend the life of the belt.

Oily

[A7 OOH]

Thanks Guys

All your advice taken on board