Coolant pump removal

[Ianmc]

Likely this has cropped up many times before, but any tips would be appreciated.

Essentially, can't remove the old pump from the engine (Z3 1.9 M44). Its likely been in place for 20 years and the casing has corroded and "cold welded" itself. Levering is very difficult due to location. Have used a tin of WD 40 (and its soaking overnight). All 4 bolts have been removed (checked a few times!). Tried tapping the casing to no avail. Mole grips (two) on the spindle and two of us "wriggling" it didn't help.

Any experience/ideas would be greatly received.

Cheers,
Ian

 

[Slam]

A little bit of heat if possible

 

[Mazza]

Could always try putting a trolley jack under the car, with a piece of wood between the jack and the spindle of the water pump and just put a bit of pressure on it, and tap the casting at the same time.
Perhaps with a bit of heat, but there’s a lot of plastic around the front end so would have to be careful.

 

[t-tony]

There may be 2 threaded holes in the casting into which you can screw 2 bolts to push the pump from the block.

Tony.

 

[Mazza]

Spot on @t-tony ,

Just found this.

 

[Ianmc]

Yes, tried the M6 bolts, managed to break the casing!
Just been to buy a crowbar for tomorrows attempt. The pump needs to come out "straight" so this might provide some forward leverage.
Fingers crossed!

 

[t-tony]

Hi Ian, if the worst comes the worst have a look at the new pump and see where you can drill some holes in the old casting to weaken it enough to "break" it out.

Tony.

 

[Mazza]

Good luck with it tomorrow. It sounds like someone has welded it in.
Hope the mating face isnt damaged.

 

[jonco]

Yes, tried the M6 bolts, managed to break the casing!
Just been to buy a crowbar for tomorrows attempt. The pump needs to come out "straight" so this might provide some forward leverage.
Fingers crossed!

I had the same problem a few years ago and despite lots of advice, tapping and patience it would not move - I too stripped the supposed jacking bolts. Ended up with a scaffold bar positioned vertically and the pump flange lashed to it then leverage applied against bottom tie bar. Plenty of WD40 applied during the whole operation after a few hours I could see some slight movement so kept spraying and tugging and a few hours later it popped out. No sign of any corrosion it was just the seal contact.

Edit : found my similar post https://zroadster.org/threads/m44-coolant-pump-refusing-to-come-out.2935/

 

[t-tony]

Amazing how stuck things like this can be Colin. Sounds like you had fun.

Tony.

 

[jonco]

Amazing how stuck things like this can be Colin. Sounds like you had fun.

Tony.

I certainly did Tony - the additional problem was I was having a new drive laid so I had to push car out on the road and do it roadside! Plus it peed down. Sod's and Murphy's laws amalgamated.

 

[mrscalex]

I put a brand new pump on a project 1.9 recently. Then I decided to break the car instead. So I wanted the pump back.

The 2 removal bolts procedure is standard and normally vital.

However this thing was so stuck both bolts sheared off. I then abandoned the pump as it would have got damaged levering it out.

Moral to the story. These pumps can get very stuck. You must use the leverage bolts. Use quality bolts with a decent tensile strength. Not something from Buyology like I did.

 

[Ianmc]

Crowbar was the best £5.95 I have ever spent! A couple of sharp taps and out it came. Picture shows the only way (I think) to get forward pressure on the pump. Replaced drive belt whilst I was at it, radiator last week and thermostat a few months ago. All hoses look OK so cooling system overhaul now complete. Thanks for the advice/experience offered - apart from anything else it was good to know that my issue was not unique. Hope picture helps someone in the future.

 

[Mazza]

That’s a good result. Glad it went well.

I suppose a stick of dynamite would have probably been overkill...

 

[Ianmc]

I suppose a stick of dynamite would have probably been overkill...

That did cross my mind yesterday!!

 

[t-tony]

Nice one Ian, you got it in the end! That picture will be useful to someone one day I'm sure.

Tony.