Once again my water pump has failed. My son and I were on a really nice 1600 total mile trip up through the Ozark mountains (we both have Voyagers) when my engine started making a very loud rattle sound. My first thought was a stuck cam chain adjuster but it was OK.
I have to say that Carl Leo is one heck of a great guy. At 750 miles from home with a sick bike, he walkwd me through a quick test of the cam chain adjuster and then reassured me that these are very reliable motors that hardly ever have major engine failures and should get me home.
When we got home I brought out my trusty stethoscope and the water pump was rattling bad. I pulled it out yesterday and it has a bad bearing.
I am in the market for a good used pump if someone has one for sale.
Just to let everyone know, Carl just rode out the hurricane in Florida. As of yesterday, his electricity was still off and the debris was 12 foot high at his front curb. I have never had the opportunity to meet Carl, but we are very fortunate to have his expertise available to us.
Harry in San Antonio
Water Pump blues
Moderators: the2knights, Highway Rider
Good Grief, Buy a new one.-
HarryL
- Cruiser
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Sun Dec 26, 2010 5:51 pm
- 13
- Current bike(s): 2003 Voyager
- Location: San Antonio Texas
- Has liked: 0
- Been liked: 0
Re: Water Pump blues
Now that I'm retired, $241 for a new pump is more than I can handle right now.
I did put my original pump back in to verify that the rattle was indeed caused by the pump. I had pulled that pump when I was losing coolant about a year ago.
So far, no engine rattle and no leaks. As far as the amount of work involved, after removing the water pump three times, I've learned how to replace it without removing the radiator, exhaust, or any of the faring. The trick is to carefully pull the water tubes out and back in without pinching the o-rings. It took about 25 minutes to get it out and about 40 minutes to get the other one back in. There's an old saying, " be carefull what you get at, it may become a career". At least it goes something like that!!
On a sour note, I won't be able to ride for the next four weeks as I'm going through cataract surgery on both eyes. Bummer!!
I did put my original pump back in to verify that the rattle was indeed caused by the pump. I had pulled that pump when I was losing coolant about a year ago.
So far, no engine rattle and no leaks. As far as the amount of work involved, after removing the water pump three times, I've learned how to replace it without removing the radiator, exhaust, or any of the faring. The trick is to carefully pull the water tubes out and back in without pinching the o-rings. It took about 25 minutes to get it out and about 40 minutes to get the other one back in. There's an old saying, " be carefull what you get at, it may become a career". At least it goes something like that!!
On a sour note, I won't be able to ride for the next four weeks as I'm going through cataract surgery on both eyes. Bummer!!