water pump on 300Tdi Defender making weird sound

[Richard]

the water pump on my 1998 300Tdi defender sometimes makes a weird high pitch squeal when the engine is warm and at idle. i notice the sound disappears as soon as you put slight pressure on the throttle. also it comes and goes when the engine is idling

so question, the water pump looks like it can come apart, if its simply a bearing in the pump that needs some greasing can it be taken apart greased put back together and run fine? or am i up for a new water pump?

and has anyone else had this issue?






and for the land rover boffens out there yes yes im a mechanic noob so apologizes if this is a silly question

[Scouse]

My turn for a silly question. How have you diagnosed this as the water pump?
A squeal from the pump is unusual. Have you turned the pump by hand to see how the bearing feels.

[nice1guv]

A while ago my water pump began squealing. It initally starting squealing at startup, but went away when the engine warmed up or the revs picked up.

I took the tension off the serpentine belt tensioner, and removed the belt. I then noticed I could wobble the water pump pulley from side to side a fair bit and it was rough as when turned. The bearing in the water pump had gone.

I seem to remember the bearing being a sealed unit, so no greasing was possible, and I don't think you can just remove and replace the bearing either.

I replaced the whole water pump for less than $100 anyway, so best to replace the lot.

PS: The new water pump had no play at all in the bearing.

[one_iota]

I replaced the whole water pump for less than $100 anyway, so best to replace the lot.

And replace the "b" gasket and look for corrosion on the bolts that hold it on.

[nice1guv]

And replace the "b" gasket and look for corrosion on the bolts that hold it on.

If the "b" gasket is the one directly behind the water pump; the one that came with the new water pump was a crap paper one.
I was told by a Land Rover expert not to use the crappy paper one, so got a thicker more rubbery like one instead from a Landy workshop.

[Michael2]

The 'P' Gasket is a metal one. You remove the water pump, then the alloy housing behind it. We did it on a Defender last week, and the job took less than 2 hours, easy going.

Steps :

Disconnect the battery
Remove the fan & cowl
remove the (top) radiator hoses (inspect & replace as required)
remove the water pump
remove the spring loaded belt tensioner
remove the power steering pump (it can hang there on it's pipes, just remove the bracket that holds it to the housing).
remove the alternator (that's why you disconnect the battery) (you can keep the wires attached, just hold it out of the way with a cable tie).
remove the alloy housing that the alternator & water pump & power steering pump mount to.
replace the P Gasket

Reasseble, inspect & replace the fan belts as required, flush your radiator and replace the coolant. Disconnect the heater hoses at the heater and flush it out seperately with gentle pressure so you don't create a leak.

Total cost under $100, plus hoses or belts if you need to replace them, and coolant.

Tools required - socket set, spanners, screwdriver, torque wrench, loctite

Notes - some water pumps have a steel impeller, others have a brass one, which I think would last better.

[nice1guv]

If it's the 'p' gasket, then yes that's the one between the engine and the housing that the water pump attaches to, not the one i was referring to which is between the water pump and the housing.

I also changed the 'p' gasket (sometimes called a triangle gasket), and the one to use is metal. I believe the original ones were not metal.

Check out the 'p' gasket area as unless it is leaking from there, changing it isn't necessarily needed, but always a good idea anyway.

If you do change the 'p' gasket, the whole job will be trippled in time and effort compared to just changing the water pump.

I also think it is prudent to use a gasket sealing compound of some type when changing the water pump and / or 'p' gasket.

[MacFamily]

Gday Richard
I replaced ours about month ago and it made high pitch squeal before it started leaking.

I should have replaced it sooner but just let it go, I also bought the P gasket but never replaced it as it wasent leaking from there but plenty do.Even if you just buy the P gasket as good insurance.

If you need a hand Richard Iam sure a few of us from the forum would be happy to help a Landy owner :).

I also used a little Bluemax sealant just to be sure, you dont have too.