Front engine rebuild

[Sean d]

Now the front of my Z is stripped for painting I may as well do the water pump, etc etc
I am going to source the parts over the next few days
Question is what exactly is worth replacing,
I am going to do the viscous fan as that has got play in it as has the water pump, obviously the belt, what about tensioners, pulleys,
thermostat and housing???

Thanks in advance

 

[Grumps]

We did everything you've mentioned and the impeller when we did mine..

 

[Sean d]

We did everything you've mentioned and the impeller when we did mine..

The fan it fine pal, yours smashed didn't it

 

[Brian4]

I would replace the pulleys and tensioner whilst it's apart as they do start making a noise eventually and with a new belt might put just that extra bit of load on the bearings. The old belt will have stretched slightly especially if it has never been changed.
Thermostat not sure but probably yes as it would be a shame to do all that work and then it fail a few months down the line.

 

[t-tony]

While you have easy access Sean, do the lot mate. The tensioner bearing went on my Z3 and it made a hell of a racket, I thought it was in the transmission somewhere.

Tony.

 

[Althulas]

Pulleys are cheap enough from Myle, tensioners are a bit expensive to add on with everything else if they are in good condition can save some pounds there but if you want price of mind hit the buy button May as well change the thermostat while the pump is being changed saves doing it later.

 

[gookah]

one more thing while that is all off.
it is easy to remove the alternator and six more bolts and change the Oil filter housing gasket while your around there. They are about a fiver and make a right mess when they start leaking.

The other thing to watch is the parts you buy, I had a new water pump from Eurocarparts in 2016 and the bearing is shot on it after 2 years.
Just changed it on Sunday to a Febi Bilstein one which was £10 more at £35.

 

[Sean d]

I would replace the pulleys and tensioner whilst it's apart as they do start making a noise eventually and with a new belt might put just that extra bit of load on the bearings. The old belt will have stretched slightly especially if it has never been changed.
Thermostat not sure but probably yes as it would be a shame to do all that work and then it fail a few months down the line.

How many pulleys is there Brian

 

[Sean d]

one more thing while that is all off.
it is easy to remove the alternator and a few move bolts and change the Oil filter housing gasket while your around there. They are about a fiver and make a right mess when they start leaking.

Now you mention the alternator, I noticed today that its air cooled and ducted to the front, I have never seen that before

 

[gookah]

Now you mention the alternator, I noticed today that its air cooled and ducted to the front, I have never seen that before

yes and the ducting fills up with leaves.....

 

[Sean d]

While you have easy access Sean, do the lot mate. The tensioner bearing went on my Z3 and it made a hell of a racket, I thought it was in the transmission somewhere.

Tony.

How does the viscous fan come off pal, any pitfalls to look out for, suppose I should do the VANOS seals as well

 

[t-tony]

You could scrounge one of those un used MAF screens to block the leaves out of it ?

Tony.

 

[Sean d]

You could scrounge one of those un used MAF screens to block the leaves out of it ?

Tony.

Ha, just spat my beer out, but i have to agree it would be put to better use

 

[t-tony]

I use a 30mm spanner on the viscous hub and give it a couple of smacks with a hammer before removing the belt mate. Once "cracked" it will spin off freely.

Tony.

 

[Althulas]

one more thing while that is all off.
it is easy to remove the alternator and a few move bolts and change the Oil filter housing gasket while your around there. They are about a fiver and make a right mess when they start leaking.

Good call Gookah. Plus you can give the housing a nice polish up. Looks nice polished up.

 

[gookah]

I use a 30mm spanner on the viscous hub and give it a couple of smacks with a hammer before removing the belt mate. Once "cracked" it will spin off freely.

Tony.

Most important..... It's a left hand thread so hit it towards the passenger side from above to loosen it

 

[Dino D]

I’d do the thermostat housing as well - mine cracked a couple years back.

 

[Jack Ratt]

I did my water pump, radiator, thermostat, all belts and pulleys. My tensioners are OK at 108k miles. Might be a good idea to do the vanos seals while access is good. I did mine.

 

[Sean d]

Now all I need is a supplier, @Antm72 seems to have a good nose for a good price

 

[t-tony]

Most important..... It's a left hand thread so hit it towards the passenger side from above to loosen it

Good point Pete. He would've found out sooner, .................................... or later. I could never remember so if at first etc.etc.

Tony.