Water pump weak on Clio's?

[Chapster5]

As the title says

Anyone experienced a lot of water pump failures on your cars?

(Baring in mind mines a 1.1 8v non sport)


Last engine I had (about a month and half ago) the Timing belt went which on further inspection turns out the water pump collapsed and took out the engine with it.

No I've since had another engine put in and well today... Temperature sky rocketed and told me to stop so opened the bonnet and a nice bit of smoke from the coil pack area and no water in the coolant tank even though on Saturday it had it's MOT and the coolant system was topped up and anti-freeze put in. So on confusion the AA bloke was called back and I limped my car into a services and turns out another water pump has gone... Luckily no fatal damage but a nice bill once more for a pump, timing belt and pulleys.

Getting rather fed up now been on the back of an AA truck 3 times and towed once! :quiet:

Rant/

Nick

 

[rob_clio197rs]

i had a water pump go on my old 1.2 w reg, didnt even start as a slow leak it just blew it all out 1 day from the gasket/join area, replaced it myself and cam belt, pretty easy job on a 1.2

 

[bmh.01]

The 1.2 ones are crap, rest are ok.

 

[Dan519]

The 1.2 ones are crap, rest are ok.

k4m/j ones are utter w**k!!

 

[bmh.01]

They don't seem to leak as much I don't think. D4F is a guaranteed job with a cambelt.

 

[Rob669]

Mine's lasted 12 years and 168,000 miles so they're not that bad.

 

[Dan519]

They don't seem to leak as much I don't think. D4F is a guaranteed job with a cambelt.

I did one yesterday that had corroded through. I've seen loads that the bearings seize too. Most common cause of cambelt failure. Prob not seen so much in main dealers though

 

[Chapster5]

Anyone know if they ever made a stronger one? I heard the impeller is plastic on them? Is this true did they ever make a metal version?

 

[MicKPM]

It depends very much on the make of pump; theres nothing wrong with plastic impellas. You tend to find the cheaper pumps have a cast impella and a cheap bearing set but with waterpumps you get what you pay for. Fit a generic "white box" pump that costs £11 and you're in for trouble however, fit a proper quality unit and you will be fine.

It is for this reason I always check belt driven pumps and recommend a replacement as cost vs peace of mind is worthwhile... there's always those that disagree though and would sooner risk an old, leaky unit that is obviously done so i ask them to sign a simple and clear waiver to protect me and my indemnity should it fail 2 days/3weeks/months down the line.

 

[Martin_172]

i had a 1.2 16v one collapse and take my cambelt out when i was 17

 

[Dan519]

i had a 1.2 16v one collapse and take my cambelt out when i was 17

I used to do 3 belts a day on 1.2 16v's, and at least 2 out of 3 had a leaky pump. Most had only done about 40k too

 

[Martin_172]

mine had done 140k on the standard belt/pump too! lol no wonder it was leaking!