Problem after D3 belts change

[Learner]

I have a 2005 D3.

The belts were due to be changed 12 months ago, but my LR "service advisor" said that it wasn't necessary (possibly because I had only covered 75k).

However, I felt uncomfortable as I want to do more than highway miles (and I don''t think that he would give me a written guarantee) I decided to get the belts changed this week.

When I picked the D3 up, all seemed fine.

Yesterday (Saturday) I took the D3 out on its first (suburban) drive.

I noticed that the "low coolant" light would come on intermittently.

As it was intermittent, I decided to continue.

When I tried to pull into a carpark,the power steering was gone. I managed to park the D3 only to see coolant spewing out below.

When the road service (NRMA) arrived,he homed in on a failed water pump. He showed me that the water pump was detached from the block.

It will be interesting to see how the dealer responds to this.

[Graeme]

This sounds like the known problem of a weak housing that sometimes breaks after a new belt is fitted. IIRC the recommendation is at the same time to replace the housing with the redesigned stronger one fitted to later models.

[shining]

When was the housing redesigned? Or are there external differences that can point to which housing type is fitted?

[sheerluck]

This sounds like the known problem of a weak housing that sometimes breaks after a new belt is fitted. IIRC the recommendation is at the same time to replace the housing with the redesigned stronger one fitted to later models.

Graeme, I thought that issue was the oil pump rather than the water pump? The ones I've heard of for the water pump have been the bolts shearing rather than the pump housing itself.

[Graeme]

I recall reading "oil" pump on someone's post but expect that to be in the sump.

As for what actully breaks I'm unsure but there are posts here somewhere that describe the strengthened housing/cover.

Edit: It was only of passing interest to me, not having a pre-2008 2.7.

[sheerluck]

Definitely a different issue Graeme.

This recent thread on Disco3 is probably the exact same scenario as the OP DISCO3.CO.UK (http://disco3.co.uk/forum/topic97560.html?highlight=Water+pump+bolt)

The oil pump housing sits behind the timing cover, and it's the belt tensioner on that that has been reported snapping off, leading to 4 redesigns so far.

[Learner]

Hi Sheerluck,
Thanks for the link, I'd forgotten about that thread.

Best Wishes,
Peter

[Learner]

Hi Graeme,
Thanks for your post. However, as Sheerluck says, the problem you are recalling is for the oil pump housing (and seems to afflict MY07 & some 08 D3s).

Best Wishes,
Peter

[Fatso]

I dont think the water pump had to be touched for a timing belt change other than the removal of the front serpantine belt drive pully , sounds a bit suss to me . Would sugest that they have some explaining to do . I know i would be :mad: off .

[IvanR]

Learner, I assume you are taking about the timing belts.
As yours is a 2005 model then the oil pump housing should have been changed too. The new modified housing has extra reinforcing where the belt tension bolt screws in. I have just recently had my timing belts done, and my parts supplier would not sell me the timing belts without the oil pump housing.
When we compared old with new, you can see the difference.

IvanR
ps When changing the oil pump housing, then the starter motor has to be removed and a timing pin placed in the flywheel.

[Learner]

I dont think the water pump had to be touched for a timing belt change other than the removal of the front serpantine belt drive pully , sounds a bit suss to me . Would sugest that they have some explaining to do . I know i would be :mad: off .
Hi Fatso,
The water pump shouldn't be touched. It would seem that the problem arises when the "technicians" undo unnecessary bolts that hod the water pump.

You are right, I'm fuming,
Peter

[Learner]

Learner, I assume you are taking about the timing belts.
As yours is a 2005 model then the oil pump housing should have been changed too. The new modified housing has extra reinforcing where the belt tension bolt screws in. I have just recently had my timing belts done, and my parts supplier would not sell me the timing belts without the oil pump housing.
When we compared old with new, you can see the difference.

IvanR
ps When changing the oil pump housing, then the starter motor has to be removed and a timing pin placed in the flywheel.

Ivan,
The oil pump housing has been discussed and discounted as irrelevant above.

[Fatso]

Any updates on this water pump problem yet ??

Is it :)

Or :mad:

[TerryO]

Hi Fatso,
The water pump shouldn't be touched. It would seem that the problem arises when the "technicians" undo unnecessary bolts that hod the water pump.

You are right, I'm fuming,
Peter



Sorry to say but you Gotta laugh, why are they all now called technicians? They are vehicle mechanics, nothing more nothing less.

[jonesy63]

So they can charge $200/hr (for an apprentice to work on your pride and joy)? :wasntme:

[IvanR]

While we are on water pumps, does anyone have any idea on the service life same. I expect a big variation but there must be some sort of estimated life for them?
The reason I ask is that after doing my timing belts, my mechanic in hindsight thought maybe we should have done the water pump at the same to save having to pull every thing apart to change it later.

IvanR

[Learner]

Any updates on this water pump problem yet ??

Is it :)

Or :mad:

Hi Fatso,
I must admit that, once they saw the D3 they accepted responsibility, replaced
the water pump and delivered the D3 back to my door. All without charge.

All seems fine,
Peter

[Learner]

Hi Ivan,
AFAIK there is no "service life" of a D3 water pump.

I have the one replaced on my D3 and it looks like new.

Best Wishes,
Peter

[Rich84]

The bolts shear on the water pump which leads to it falling off. You see it happen occasionally on disco3.co.uk... Completely explains your lack of power steering as there is no longer tension on the belt. As to why it has happened straight after a belt change is anyone's guess. Maybe they assumed they had to remove it to get the timing cover off (you don't) and then put it back on using the same bolts (IIRC they are only M6 and are supposed to be replaced).

The oil pump as mentioned is a separate issue and assuming you can restart the engine you're still fine there. Just don't run it without the water pump and coolant obviously. If the pump is off anyway, you should think about replacing it. Service life on water pumps is anything from 100K - 300K or more. Never seen one last less than that and they are a necessary replacement on many engines where they run as part of the timing system (ie Audi v6's).

edit: oops saw you have already had this issue rectified.

[rb30gtr]

Hi Fatso,
I must admit that, once they saw the D3 they accepted responsibility, replaced
the water pump and delivered the D3 back to my door. All without charge.

All seems fine,
Peter

Great result, glad you didn't have to push for a decent response.

Cheers,
Ben