93 Olds Cutlass Ciera S Water Pump Issues

[chaosmoth]

93 Cutlass Ciera S 3.3L engine--way way too worn down--but only car i have.......
I'm having difficulty finding a reason why my engine is stalling...but i've seen my serpentine belt in shreds--so i've found out my water pump wheel is spinning crooked. Here's the question: If my water pump shaft or wheel is crooked, would that cause stalling at all? If so--would simply replacing the water pump fix the problem? I think the wheel being all screwed up might have something to do with the engine's timing.....but i'm not sure.

Here's what happens: When starting the car, you can hear the wheel creaking and squeaking--see it wobble every now and then--and the engine jumps like its about to rev high, but drops to a really low idle. After the engine has a minute to run--the rpms are sometimes inconsistent--but extremely low. While running the car, a sudden drop in speed (say from 40mph to 0 in about 4 secs) will have i high risk of killing the engine. I've installed my spark plugs wrong before (and will never do that again) and had the same effect--like the timing was off.........

i'm hoping i can get away with just replacing the water pump--then the fuel filter--and be done with it.......

[maxwedge]

Welcome to AF. Replace the pump before it comes apart. Usually this will not cause your symptoms. Try having the throttle body and iac cleaned for the idle issue.

[chaosmoth]

Fixed the water pump....but unfortunately i had to do it before i even read the response--ironically on the same DAY as the response...
Well...The IAC Valve should be clean....still have no time for the fuel filter until sunday, and to get cleaning the throttle body is a little unclear.
Is there a specific part of the throttle body that I need to clean or is it the ENTIRE thing? (i'm crossing my fingers on the "specific part" answer here)
Either way...the car is getting worse. To start it, the gas MUST be down a little--forcing it to be at idle speed because the engine wont go to idle...it'll just quit after turning a couple times (lasting literally a second). After starting--forcing the idle speed--i can let off the gas and the engine will act weak and unable to get to idling speed. When in gear, letting off the gas still risks a sudden death in the engine--so as long as i let up slowly, then brake, it wont do that unless i make a turn. I studied my engine with the hood open and it shakes with a passion, theres nothing wrong visibly other than that, and i can hear a slight consistent tinkle the entire time (i think that might just be the manifold). My greatest fear is that changing the fuel filter wont cut the problem out, for i believe there might be something else entirely.
I need some help in figuring out why my car is choking like this.
Thanks

[maxwedge]

Seems like there may be something more serious than cleaning the T' body, I would have the fuel pressure tested, and this shaking, is this an engine miss? Tough to reallly give accurate advice from a desk. 37 psi on the FP. Also the iac could be bad, this may require onsite help for you to diagnose your issues.

[chaosmoth]

Gyah.......sigh..more bad news.....exactly the bad news I thought might be coming my way....I guess i've got to get the tests done.....sorry wallet...

Well...in studying the engine--a miss in the timing sounds like the problem--but why is beyond me...just too many reasons why and how... I'll have to recheck and test the iac. Something I found out about those things is that they tend to get worn down quick if they show signs of getting bad.

My question now is: Should the iac be bad--is there a way to prevent any problems in the future, so that i don't break my next iac?

Thanks for all the help btw

[maxwedge]

Break the IAC?, this is a device in the throttle body that adjusts the air at idle to maintain a pre-determined speed, you can't " break" it.

[93oldsowner]

Does anyone know about how to fix 93 olds Ciara 3.3
The engine pulley snapped off the rod coming out from the water pump
its not a bolt on
any answers greatly appreciated

[maxwedge]

Welcome to AF, in the future start a new thread this is too old, The pump must be replaced, no other way, based on your description.

[93oldsowner]

I see the problem, I just need a new water pump... duh