My water pump pulley popped off while driving to work today and I have some questions regarding the basic construction of the pulley itself. Perhaps this strange incident has happened to another member.

I was cruising around 20-25mph when I suddenly lost my power steering. I thought I had broken a suspension component at first since I had just crossed a railroad track. I immediately pulled over, parked the car and discovered the pulley (and mounting bracket) had popped completely off the shaft. I don't just mean the four bolts holding the pulley to the bracket- the entire pulley.

Looking at my newly-popped off pulley, the center hole (where the shaft slides in) is cleanly machined as if the pulley was originally pressed on to the water pump shaft. There was no evidence of cracks, chips or anything really- nice and smooth. There's also no "key," that is, nothing to prevent the pulley from simply spinning on the water pump's shaft.

Now questions:

Can I press, or perhaps bang, this pulley back on? Is the water pump garbage at this point? What did you have to do?

You all know how awful the clearance is around the water pump pulley, so I'm not excited about this and I look forward to (and appreciate) any helpful input.

Note: This is the original water pump. My timing belt was changed by the dealer at 60k, but the water pump was [foolishly] not. My '05 now has 72,3xx.

Thanks!

 

The bracket, as you call it, is pressed onto the pump shaft.

 

similiar to what happened to me!
check my thread from a long time ago!
https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...t-pop-off.html

 

If the pressed on flange came off, in the process I'm sure it chewed up the shaft. So, I doubt there is a repair for this other than a new pump.

 

Yeah that's what I feared, thanks. I edited my original post to clarify what bracket I'm referring too. I'm not sure what its actual name is.

 

That's the strange thing. The shaft and inside diameter of the pulley's center hole is clean, no chewing whatsoever. As for repair, well, I just want to avoid taking the timing belt off. Now that looks inevitable.

Thanks!

 

Yes, Sorry to say you will need to do a waterpump.

Good Luck to you

 

yep. new water pump is in order

 

yep water pump

 

Thanks for the help everyone. I'm making some calls today. My current parking situation (apartment) prevents me from taking this task on myself, which is probably for the best.

Lesson: If you change a timing belt, do the water pump as well. They're relatively cheap compared to tow costs/hassles of no daily driver.

Thanks again for the help!