Waterpump lost a fin and it's lost forever.

[GrahamS]

Took the water pump off today and found this. The missing fin is no where to be seen. Not in the pipes, rad or as far as I can venture into the block. I'm mainly concerned about it getting back into the new pump and shredding it and reducing flow.

What would you do?

 

[MicKPM]

That will be lodged in the block somewhere... checked behind the stat/stat house yet? Tough call but I'd replace it

 

[GrahamS]

Morning, thanks for your reply. I haven't checked behind the stat yet as I'm awaiting the gaskets from renault. I've got a new pump as this one was whining.

I've stuck a hose in the block and nothing came out and it was the same story with the rad. I assume the coolant flows through the block, through the stat, round the rad and back to the pump if stat is open if not then block>pipes, pump.

 

[MicKPM]

The pump draws coolant from the rad and pushes it round/thru the block and heater matrix.

 

[Dan519]

very unlikely you'll see that bit again, it'll be well wedged somewhere

 

[GrahamS]

I am going to try my best to find it. As you say though Dan I think it's probably stuck somewhere that I'll never find. Bit worried about my 1500 mile road trip though if I don't find it.

 

[GrahamS]

To finish this thread off. I took the stat and housing off, pressure washed the inside of the block and nothing came out.

It's all back together and working fine so I hope it's lodged somewhere it will never come out of.

 

[DTM Cars Ltd]

wow ive not seen that before!

 

[Chip-mk1]

Does it look like its snapped off recently on the fracture line? Might even predate the pump being fitted to the engine, dropped on factory floor etc.

But I'd be surprised if it does any harm even if it is lodged somewhere in the water jacket.

 

[GrahamS]

Does it look like its snapped off recently on the fracture line? Might even predate the pump being fitted to the engine, dropped on factory floor etc.

But I'd be surprised if it does any harm even if it is lodged somewhere in the water jacket.

It doesn't look fresh no. The car has been looked after like royalty it's whole life (meaning coolant changes frequently) so I have no reason to know why it would come off. There is a score mark around the impeller though so it must have come off in the engine.

As long as it's stuck where it is I'm not worried

 

[Dave..]

I'd be tempted to say it'll be fine. The lodged blade doesn't sound likes its given you any issues up till now, I'd imagine you won't have any issues just because you've noticed it.

 

[Chip-mk1]

Well you only have 2 choices really, ignore the fact there is a bit of metal lodged in there that will almost certainly do no harm, or remove and strip the engine trying to find it.

 

[Ph1 Tom]

I bought a cambelt and waterpump kit for my Focus a couple of months back and the pump was damaged like that. Luckily I noticed and got a replacement sorted. So it might not be in the engine or coolant system.