On our return from the GMCMI Marion Rally, the water pump on our coach
went out just over 30 miles from home with no warning other than a
sudden slight ticking/tingling sound . That turned out to be the water
pump pulley impacting the crankshaft pulley. Decided to stop less than
a half mile from when we noticed the noise and did so without the
temperature gauge rising. Subsequently, we had the coach towed home.
After disassembling the water pump, found that the shaft bearing went
out, allowing the coolant to gush out. When the shaft dropped down, the
pump pulleys ground themselves on the crankshaft pulleys to the extent
that they had to be replaced. Even the crankshaft pulley had some of
the sheaves ground/grooved and I ran emery cloth around them to mitigate
any subsequent damage to the belts. After replacement and a 750 mile
trip, the belts are still on.
Other than the hassle of having to disassemble and reassemble the power
steering pump bracket to clear it from the water pump hardware, the job
was straight forward.
One thing I was surprised about though was the towing. They charged $45
for the hookup fee (they came from where I live) and $2 per mile. We
felt very comfortable with that amount as we were prepared for
considerably worse.
Although the shop manual describes and pictures the blocking to install
under the front end prior to towing so that the tow truck rigging does
not bear against the front bumper, the service we got did not require
that. Their truck had a hydraulically extended pickup bar that came out
from between the tow truck rear dual wheels that had a horizontal tool
bar. They installed on each end of the tool bar an adapter that had Y
shaped prongs. So configured, they then brought they valley of the Y's
to bear under the front frame cross member, lifted the coach, and drove
off with us following in the tow car. After arriving at home and
stopped along the curb across the street to unhook the tow truck, I
drove then drove the coach into the driveway.
I point out the above towing hookup, because the fore part of the shop
manual shows use of blocking timbers and I was unaware that today's tow
trucks now offer an optional way to tow the coach. Additionally, it may
be a prudent idea to carry both a spare engine water pump (fortunately
in our case above, we were close to home) and a pump pulley. In that
vein, does anyone know where to procure a pump without incurring a core
charge?
Paul Bartz
went out just over 30 miles from home with no warning other than a
sudden slight ticking/tingling sound . That turned out to be the water
pump pulley impacting the crankshaft pulley. Decided to stop less than
a half mile from when we noticed the noise and did so without the
temperature gauge rising. Subsequently, we had the coach towed home.
After disassembling the water pump, found that the shaft bearing went
out, allowing the coolant to gush out. When the shaft dropped down, the
pump pulleys ground themselves on the crankshaft pulleys to the extent
that they had to be replaced. Even the crankshaft pulley had some of
the sheaves ground/grooved and I ran emery cloth around them to mitigate
any subsequent damage to the belts. After replacement and a 750 mile
trip, the belts are still on.
Other than the hassle of having to disassemble and reassemble the power
steering pump bracket to clear it from the water pump hardware, the job
was straight forward.
One thing I was surprised about though was the towing. They charged $45
for the hookup fee (they came from where I live) and $2 per mile. We
felt very comfortable with that amount as we were prepared for
considerably worse.
Although the shop manual describes and pictures the blocking to install
under the front end prior to towing so that the tow truck rigging does
not bear against the front bumper, the service we got did not require
that. Their truck had a hydraulically extended pickup bar that came out
from between the tow truck rear dual wheels that had a horizontal tool
bar. They installed on each end of the tool bar an adapter that had Y
shaped prongs. So configured, they then brought they valley of the Y's
to bear under the front frame cross member, lifted the coach, and drove
off with us following in the tow car. After arriving at home and
stopped along the curb across the street to unhook the tow truck, I
drove then drove the coach into the driveway.
I point out the above towing hookup, because the fore part of the shop
manual shows use of blocking timbers and I was unaware that today's tow
trucks now offer an optional way to tow the coach. Additionally, it may
be a prudent idea to carry both a spare engine water pump (fortunately
in our case above, we were close to home) and a pump pulley. In that
vein, does anyone know where to procure a pump without incurring a core
charge?
Paul Bartz
atri63
