The Water pump debacle thread

[Ratel10mm]

Hi, I'm new here and have no idea of the space you're working in. However, if the stud is un-salvageable and you have enough room, file flats either side of the stud and get a spanner or mole grip on it.
These things are heartbreaking, speaking from personal experience. But when you get over it & finally have it (whatever it is) fixed it's the greatest feeling in the world.
Sounds like you have a great bunch of enthusiasts around you too. Good luck, I reckon you can do it!

[numpty]

You'll get there Dan . You have to admit, by these trials, you are learning heaps.

If nothing else, this thread is a great source of entertainment...........and learning, for many.

[Scallops]

You'll get there Dan . You have to admit, by these trials, you are learning heaps.

If nothing else, this thread is a great source of entertainment...........and learning, for many.

Well, I'm glad it's entertainment. But not for me. Not anymore. It's making me feel quite useless and I'm really quite down about it all.

I'm not sure I am learning anything now. My confidence is shot. If I try to do up a bolt - I have a 1 in 8 chance of breaking it - I'm not a mechanic - I have no prior experience - I have no idea how tight to do things up. Things either leak or break.

I don't want to be a constant source of bugging my LR friends with this, so once Dave shows me how to get the last bit I broke out - I'm taking it to a mechanic. This job should take hours - not months.

From there I will obviously need to assess my worthiness of even owning such a precious vehicle. I love it - but if I simply can't keep it running, what's the point?

But I do sincerely thank everyone for helping. However, 5 odd weeks sitting there rusting is not doing anyone any good.

[abaddonxi]

I snapped off three bolts and two extractors last time round, reckon you need to pick up your game there.

And on at least one of them I was using a torque wrench and a manual.

[extreme]

Hi Dan,

Do you think that you're the only one who has moments with their Land Rover ? Cheer up, we will all see you driving Matilda around soon.

[Scallops]

It's a record I'll not be challenging, Simon.

Even when the water pump is fixed - I have no idea if there has been further damage caused by driving the vehicle in this state - I didn't realise it had happened until a few miles of travel when I smelt oil. If I have damaged the engine , this will truly be a disaster. When did temperature gauges become standard?

So there is a distinct possibility other things will also need to be fixed. I don't know. That is the problem.

[Scallops]

Hi Dan,

Do you think that you're the only one who has moments with their Land Rover ? Cheer up, we will all see you driving Matilda around soon.

No - of course not - but I think there is a sliding scale of natural ability in this area too - and I'm rapidly finding out which end of the scale I'm firmly attached to. I feel this vehicle is too special to have a muppet working on critical items.

[groucho]

Don't give up it's only a broken bolt. Think how some of us feel restoring a basket case, not easy. Those bolts on a series1 probably have been tightened dozens of times, so expect to break a few along the way.Try to mig weld a nut onto the broken bit. It won't be rusted in so it will probably come out easy. Drilling those water pump bolts are a pain in the ring as you don't have a great margine to work with. Wish i had to only worry about one piddly broken bolt..........

[slug_burner]

Dan,

Don't give it up. You at least have the courage to give it a go. The muppets are the ones that are not willing to even think about giving it a go little less getting their hands dirty. Everyone crossthreads bolts, breaks bolts and lots of other things. If no one did things like that they would not have invented extractors/eazyouts.

We all understand that you are feeling frustrated and if you havent done this sort of stuff before it can be very testing on what little confidence you have mustered up. It is much easier when someone is there to show you how to do it but we don't all have that luxury. This forum is the next best thing and better still people who are nearby and are willing to come and help you out when you get stuck.

Don't give up, it is not your daily driver and it will not matter if you don't have it going on Monday morning. Don't let it get you down it is a hobby. You don't get the same satisfaction if you pay someone else to glue your Airfix model or to go and hit that golfball for you.

Keep your chin up, you will get there.

[Killer]

Well, I'm glad it's entertainment. But not for me. Not anymore. It's making me feel quite useless and I'm really quite down about it all.

I'm not sure I am learning anything now. My confidence is shot. If I try to do up a bolt - I have a 1 in 8 chance of breaking it - I'm not a mechanic - I have no prior experience - I have no idea how tight to do things up. Things either leak or break.

I don't want to be a constant source of bugging my LR friends with this, so once Dave shows me how to get the last bit I broke out - I'm taking it to a mechanic. This job should take hours - not months.

From there I will obviously need to assess my worthiness of even owning such a precious vehicle. I love it - but if I simply can't keep it running, what's the point?

But I do sincerely thank everyone for helping. However, 5 odd weeks sitting there rusting is not doing anyone any good.

Friends is what we want to be Dan, a friend is happy to be called upon in times of difficulty. I consider it an honour to be able to help you, or anyone else I can help in times of need.

Cheers, Mick.