Water Pump Replacement

[Ryan7777]

I've got: 1991 Geo Metro Hatchback. Problem: Replaced the water pump. I wasn't able to lift the motor out to remove the pully at the end of the engine so the shroud/cover could be removed. So I broke the bottom of the shroud to get it over the pully. Got the water pump replaced, but there is a little spring I didn't know what to do with so I just left it hanging there. It definitely looks like it needed to be hooked to something. When I started the engine the heater wouldn't warm up the cab and the motor stared to get hot. There was smoke coming out of the exhaust. Any help?

[crazyinkc]

The spring is for the timing belt tensioner. If you look closely, you will see a little ear on the bracket the idler bearing mounts to. If it is smoking and getting hot, it sounds like a blown head gasket. You should have been able to get the crank pulley off by removing the four 10mm head bolts around the pulley, then it just pulls right off the crank.

[Crvett69]

some times it takes a while to get all the air bubbles out of the engine. leave the cap off and put a bucket under the middle of the radiator, will take a few cycles of the thermostat to get the air out and it will push water out the top of the radiator as the air expands, just keep filling it till all the air is out. when you pour water back in make sure you pour it slowly if engine is running and warmed up. you can also take thermostat out and drill about a 1/8" hole in outer ring. put it back in with hole up, that will help get the air out of the system quicker

[Ryan7777]

Thanks guys.....The pumps works now and yes, the radiator was almost dry and I didn't realize it. The smoke from the exhaust is probably unrelated. It's an old motor and I don't know how much longer it will last anyway. It was a good buy and my wife loves driving it.