Water Pump

I have been fighting the squeeling belt problem for years on my 93 1.0l. I have changed all pulleys, alternator etc with no luck. The solution has been to tighten the belt to some insane level.

Now to my question. The tight belt has destroyed one water pump per year for the past few years. Again my water pump sounds like a grinder. Have you found any better quality pumps that those sold at local auto parts stores? I am getting tired of paying to have pumps replaced.

How long does it take to change the H2O pump on your car ?

Any advice to make it easier and faster - less pain...?

I just bought one from Schucks for $32.

Have you tried different brands of Belts ?

Taking the polish off the pulleys with emery cloth ?

My '93 doesn't squeel - and I'm about to change my H2O pump - same sound.

Does GoodYear have a "Gator" belt for the '93 one liter ?

DoctorBill

I have been fighting this for some time now. I have tried every belt I could find, included high dollar ones.

There is some misalignment but I can't locate where. The edge of the belt is shaved with rubber everywhere at the alternator. I have replaced the alternator and pully and tried adjusting it by loosening mounting bolts but it still shaves the belt. I have to change the belt evry two months or so.

I have been using pumps from the big local auto retail stores. I have not changed one myself so dont know how long it would take to change it.

The car has been great with the exception of this problem. It has just hit 235000 miles and still runs great. No engine work has been done since I purchased it new in 93 and even still has original clutch! Still getting about 44 mpg!

Have you checked/replaced the crank pulley? Is it possible the belt is rubbing something? Try to get a good look from different angles to see if something is in the way. Good luck...

The real problem with ALL 1.0 Metros is that the alternator pulley is just too small...if somebody can find a pulley that is 1 inch wider that will fit these alternators, all of these problems will go away...there is just not enough contact area on the stock pulley, & your only choices are "deal with the squeal", or run a lot of tension...I split the differance...I only get bad squealing with a low battery in the winter...keeping it charged helps a lot, but it's still not perfect...good luck

Youa are absolutely correct. The alternator pully is too small. Mine somehow is out of alignment but I cant see where. The new belt instantly starts shedding rubber at the inside of the alternator pully. When I changed the alternator and pully, nothing changed. I have used a laser to lood at pully alignment but can not see the problem. Unfortunately to get the belt tight enough to stop sqeeling I eat up water pump bearing. GRRRRRR!

Very good info doug7x, the alternator pulleys are too small.

Read this thread, some info may help you. They talk about 3 or 4 things to check:

http://www.teamswift.net/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=37439&p=281602&hilit=pulley+alignment#p281602