(no subject)
Sometime last week, after starting my Blazer, I heard some unusual noise from the engine, like a chatter. I couldn't pinpoint it because it soon went away but it seemed to be coming from either the front of the left head or from behind the timing chain cover.
Friday evening, I noticed that my engine was too hot for a moment but it quickly cooled down upon driving a distance.
Saturday morning, with the engine already warm, I was going to drive to Polvadera but I only got about a half mile from my house when I saw that the engine temperature was well over 210F. I spun around and went home. By the time I got home the temperature was normal.
I suspected the coolant level and it was indeed very low. I refilled the radiator and continued to Polvadera. Upon returning, I searched for where my coolant was escaping from. I found that my water pump was in bad shape. The bearings were very wobbly and coolant was leaking from the seal.
I ordered a new pump and took time to install it today. Both the alternator and power steering pump had to be unbolted to get to the water pump since both are partially bolted to it. During the replacement process, I took the time to start the engine with everything removed from the front and listen for noises. No fan, no belts, just the spinning harmonic balancer on the front. I must brag, my engine sounds great. No rod bearing noise, no timing chain noise, nothing from the lifters. there might have been a little rocker noise but it may just be a small exhaust leak on the left manifold. It goes away after a couple minutes of warming up. The noisiest thing besides the exhaust pipe and air being sucked into the carburetor is the cheap aftermarket PCV valve.
I decided to replace the lower radiator hose and the fan clutch as well since the hose was old and the clutch would freewheel. I don't have an AC compressor or smog pump anymore so I removed the brackets for those while I was at it.
I had a mishap with the new fan clutch. I accidentally pulled one of the bolt threads where the fan attaches. Aluminum sucks and my torque wrench is for rebuilding engines, not tiny aluminum parts. This is what I get for trying to follow torque specifications instead of just torquing by feel. Anyway, the Autozone clerk made it better.
I finished at about 5pm and went on a test drive. No more weird chatter and no coolant leak.
I came home and had a very late breakfast.
Friday evening, I noticed that my engine was too hot for a moment but it quickly cooled down upon driving a distance.
Saturday morning, with the engine already warm, I was going to drive to Polvadera but I only got about a half mile from my house when I saw that the engine temperature was well over 210F. I spun around and went home. By the time I got home the temperature was normal.
I suspected the coolant level and it was indeed very low. I refilled the radiator and continued to Polvadera. Upon returning, I searched for where my coolant was escaping from. I found that my water pump was in bad shape. The bearings were very wobbly and coolant was leaking from the seal.
I ordered a new pump and took time to install it today. Both the alternator and power steering pump had to be unbolted to get to the water pump since both are partially bolted to it. During the replacement process, I took the time to start the engine with everything removed from the front and listen for noises. No fan, no belts, just the spinning harmonic balancer on the front. I must brag, my engine sounds great. No rod bearing noise, no timing chain noise, nothing from the lifters. there might have been a little rocker noise but it may just be a small exhaust leak on the left manifold. It goes away after a couple minutes of warming up. The noisiest thing besides the exhaust pipe and air being sucked into the carburetor is the cheap aftermarket PCV valve.
I decided to replace the lower radiator hose and the fan clutch as well since the hose was old and the clutch would freewheel. I don't have an AC compressor or smog pump anymore so I removed the brackets for those while I was at it.
I had a mishap with the new fan clutch. I accidentally pulled one of the bolt threads where the fan attaches. Aluminum sucks and my torque wrench is for rebuilding engines, not tiny aluminum parts. This is what I get for trying to follow torque specifications instead of just torquing by feel. Anyway, the Autozone clerk made it better.
I finished at about 5pm and went on a test drive. No more weird chatter and no coolant leak.
I came home and had a very late breakfast.